Ayako Otoshi loves French bulldogs. Especially one named Chubu. He has friends. And his own network.
Besides being Chubu’s biographer, Ayako is also an artist, graphic designer and illustrator with projects and clients ranging from Isaac Mizrahi Target for Home to John Robshaw Textiles. Her love for pure lines imbued with a sense of story coupled with her abiding love for Japan made her our choice for the logo design for “Art + Japan = Compassion” — a benefit auction with art in support of a country struggling with rebuild in the midst of devastating loss.
We asked for a logo. Ayako gave us six. Complete with spot-on concepts for each. Making our decision … challenging.
We chose the Flame. Group decision. Honest.
FLAME
Japan’s national signature red circle forms the outer part of the flame. We light candles to heal and calm the spirit of the victims. This benefit is not only to raise money but to show our love and support for Japan, especially for those who survived but have lost everything. Art and design can be one of the ways to warm their hearts.
Take a look at our challenge.
JAPANESE LANTERN
The lantern was used as a flashlight in old Japan. In modern Japan, it is often used as an offering at Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines especially when these places have festivals and ceremonies. This logo is to heal the victims’ spirits and give light
and hope for people to re-build Japan.
DARUMA
Daruma is a paper mache statue of the monk Daruma who founded Zen Buddhism. In modern Japan, it is considered to be a symbol of perseverance and good luck. The eyes of Daruma are blank at first. One eye is filled in upon setting a goal. The other upon fulfilling the goal. This logo is a graphic representation of Daruma and its
symbolic meaning. Japan has a big one-eyed Daruma in its heart now and I hope we will be able to fill the other in when we re-build the country.
JAPANESE FAN
A Japanese fan is for moving air, for using as an art board and as a prop in Japanese dance and play. The shape of a fan is usually 1/3 of a circle, which is considered to be a symbol of Japan universally. This logo symbolizes art and Japan together. A rallying cry.
KAMON
Kamon is Japanese traditional family crests/emblems. This logo incorporates rice plants which is Japan’s most important farm produce. There are 47 rice grains in this logo representing the 47 prefectures of Japan. This logo is to unite all of Japan as one family to recover from the disaster.
This project is a personal one for Ayako for which we say a sincere thank you. A wonderful symbol of a proud country, she is a true emblem of Japan’s native daughter. The sun will rise. Again.
