The DNP Foundation for Cultural Promotion is established in July. The GRAPHIC WEST, which features designers and projects with ties to Kansai and Asia, is launched in November, and its first exhibition, "Truth And/Or Virtue Graphic Designs by Shinnoske Sugisaki and Yoshimaru Takahashi," is held.
World Events
Lehman Brothers collapses. After conducting a diverse election campaign, Barack Obama is elected as the first African-American president in US history. The Beijing Olympics and Paralympics are held. Random street riots occur in Akihabara. The medical insurance system for the elderly aged 75 or over (longevity care system) begins. Taro Aso becomes the 92nd Prime Minister of Japan in September.
Graphic Design's Events
New Book Design Award is established with this year's TDC Award. Taku Satoh receives the 10th Yusaku Kamekura Design Award. Tsunehisa Kimura (b. 1928) and Nagi Noda (b. 1973) pass away.
JAGDA New Designer Award
Ken Okamuro(b.1978) Koichi Kosugi(b.1980) Naoko Fukuoka(b.1976) Katsura Murabishi(b.1972)
ADC Grand Prix
Book & Editorial / Little More., Co., Ltd.
TDC Grand Prix
Kazunari Hattori Hattori Kazunari Exhibition “Visual Communication”
Media
The number of registered JP domain names exceeds one million. Apple begins offering services on its App Store. The Japanese version of Twitter is released. UNIQLOCK wins the Grand Prix in the internet category at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival. NTT DOCOMO terminates its PHS service. iPhone 3G is released.
Culture
H&M opens its first store in Ginza, Tokyo. A magazine feature spreads the term “soshoku kei danshi" (herbivorous men). The popularity of Hikonyan in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture triggers a boom in local yuru-kyara characters throughout Japan.
Japanese Buzzword Award
Arafo (abbr. for “around forty”) (actress Yuki Amami) Gu~! (TV personality Harumi Edo)
Word of the Year
credit crunch (UK) & hypermiling (US) bailout(ADS)
Hit Items
BB cream, ZERO-calorie beverages, Wii Fit
Pop Music
Japanese music EXILE: "Ti Amo" Fujimaki Fujioka and Nozomi Ohashi: “Gake no Ue no Ponyo” (Ponyo on the Cliff) Thelma Aoyama feat. SoulJa: "Soba ni Iru Ne” (I Will Be at Your Side) Perfume: “Polyrhythm"
Western music Coldplay: "Viva la Vida" Alicia Keys: "No One" New Soul: "Yael Naim"
Exhibitions in 2008
ddd 165
Truth And / Or Virtue: Graphic Designs by Shinnoske Sugisaki and Yoshimaru Takahashi
ddd 164
AOBA SHOW: Masuteru Aoba One-Man Show
ddd 163
2008 Tokyo Art Directors Club Exhibition
ddd 162
NOW UPDATING...Interactive Design of THA / Yugo Nakamura
ddd 161
TokyoType Directors Club Exhibition 2008
ddd 160
Shinya Nakajima TV Commercial Exhibtion: Shinya Nakajima with 29 Art Directors
ddd 159
Ginza Salone Osaka: Kenjiro Sano Attacks ddd
ddd 158
WELCOME TO MAGAZINE POOL: Ten Creators Crossing Boundaries for Magazine Design