Art director Fumikazu Ohara has contributed to the creation of a novel image for the facility by creating numerous designs for the Children's Book Forest Nakanoshima, from logo marks and original goods to bookshelf signs, printed materials such as envelopes and business cards. Ohara has had a long relationship with creative director Yoshitaka Haba, both professionally and privately, and they come up with concepts from the same perspective and support the project as a trusted ``comrade.''

Story by Fumikazu Ohara

For the ``Children's Book Forest Nakanoshima'' project, in addition to designing the logo and original goods, we also designed themed bookshelf signs, envelopes, business cards, and more. The first thing we decided on was the logo. ``Children's Book Forest Nakanoshima'' is attempting to create a system that goes beyond the framework of conventional public facilities. Regarding the logo mark, generally speaking, public facilities often use only letters to create the logo mark, but we thought about a different method when creating the logo mark. By designing and using the three icons in the facility's name, ``Children,'' ``Books,'' and ``Forest,'' we aimed to bring visitors closer to ``Children's Book Forest Nakanoshima.'' I think children will intuitively understand the icons by simply arranging them as ``Children, Books, Forest.''

Mr. Tadao Ando says that he wants as many children as possible to visit, so rather than creating something with a hard image that gives the impression that it is difficult to enter, he would like to create an open impression with a soft image. It's a judgment. He also used the icon on original merchandise. If this icon were to travel to various places on its own through goods and shoppers, it would be easy to raise awareness of ``Children's Book Forest Nakanoshima.'' If people see this icon and think, ``I've seen it somewhere,'' I think that's enough.

As for the typeface, the English logo has a base, but I created the Japanese one. I thought it would be nice to have a handwritten note, but if it was handwritten, it would give the impression that it was too close to a picture book image. Although it is a facility for children's books, I could imagine that Mr. Haba would be selecting more than just picture books, so I wanted to avoid it looking like a facility for picture books. Although it looks simple, we thought of something that would give visitors a soft, hand-drawn feel that would make them feel closer to the museum.

In addition to the bookshelves at this facility, I would also like you to check out the shop that sells original items. I don't think it's easy to be independent and self-employed, but we aim to operate from a managerial perspective, which is rare for public facilities. So, I would be happy if you could pick up at least one of them. The shoppers ended up with something quite cute, so I think they'll be happy with it.

I have known Mr. Haba for over 15 years. It's been quite a while. We have had a long-term relationship both professionally and privately, and we have many opportunities to work together, and we have a relationship that allows us to understand what each other is thinking, which makes it very easy to work together. Just because we're friends, we don't get inert, and we have a very good relationship as we both work well as professionals and are like comrades.

My company ``Bootleg'' mainly handles editorial design work for books, magazines, catalogs, etc. We mainly receive orders from clients, but our company also publishes photo books and art books.

I also have a ``Bootleg Gallery'' on the first floor of my office, where I also do exhibition work. We recently held the first solo exhibition of a high school student named Yota Hara, who has continued to create works such as hand-bound art books, prints, and illustrations until the other day. After a chance encounter with Hara-kun, I was drawn to his work and proposed to hold a solo exhibition, which I co-curated with Kazuto Kobayashi, owner of select shops ``OUTBOUND'' and ``Roundabout.'' did. He holds a solo exhibition as a high school student, and it remains in the archives, which may change his life.It's very exciting. In fact, his work has sold quite well and he has received requests for work. It is very interesting to create a place where opportunities for encounters are born, as is the case with this time's ``Children's Book Forest Nakanoshima''.

→Next is Yu Yamada (merchandiser).

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