Bronze Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design · 2020
Tabineko Illustration Illustration Calendar
- A' Design Award 2020 Bronze Winner in Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design
- Awarded April 15, 2020
- CLIENT: Toshinori Mori
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 28,913
- Verification code 7467104B90 · Verify this award
About Tabineko Illustration Illustration Calendar
This series of illustrations was drawn by a Japanese illustrator, Toshinori Mori, for a calendar. Cats traveling are drawn with gentle colors and simple touches against the background of the four seasons of Japan. Illustrations are drawn in Adobe Illustrator. Although it is a digital illustration, it is designed to give a natural feel by adding fine irregularities to the contours and adding a texture like paper scraps on the surface.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Tabineko illustration calendar allows cats to travel in an ordinary and ubiquitous landscape. Viewers are more likely to empathize as if their cat is traveling freely in the neighborhood. In addition, flowers, mountain scenery, roadside plants, weather, etc. are drawn according to the season, so viewers can feel the wind of each season in the house
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Wall Calendar :18cm x 25cm (B5) Art Poster:A4.A3.A2
- Tags
- Tabineko, Toshinori Mori, Illustration, Japan, Japanese, Cat, Landscape, Art, travel, Happiness
- Production Technology
- Calendars are handmade.
The designer cuts the output from the printer by month and attaches it to the backing paper with a stopper. The prints, adjusted and output many times until the designer is satisfied, entertain the viewer with vivid colors.
The material of the calendar (including the stopper) is made of paper and can be discarded as burning garbage.In addition to being usable as a wall calendar, it can also be used as a desk calendar by standing on the attached stand. - Design Challenge
- Because it is digital, what you print is what you actually see.
So I try to adjust the saturation and color many times to get the desired color. I sometimes print dozens of sheets until I get the color I like.
The problem was that the ink on my printer (a very old printer) was out of print, and I couldn't get the same color.
New printers have low saturation and do not produce beautiful colors. - Project Duration
- The illustration series was first exhibited at a group exhibition held in Tokyo, Japan in 2011, and has been produced continuously at my home in Nagaoka, Japan until March 2020.
- Operation Flow
- Postcards, calendars, art posters, etc. are sold at marketplaces such as Etsy, and are sold at private exhibition venues in Tokyo and Nagaoka using Tabineko illustrations.
- Research
- Digital illustration using Adobe Illustrator.
I take a picture of my favorite scenery on a bicycle walk and draw it based on it.
Cats model their own cats as models.
Because it is for calendars, colors and plants are selected to give the seasonal feeling of each month.
In addition, I am thinking about the combination of colors that can reproduce the images of the beautiful four seasons I felt.
In order to eliminate digital slipperiness, paper shading is added. - Inspiration
- I like riding a bicycle through the four seasons. When I decided to make a calendar, I decided to make an illustration of the landscape I saw on a bicycle. However, I thought that the landscape alone was a bit lonely, so I added the cat I had at that time to the landscape.
The result is the "Tabneko" illustration series. - Image Credits
- Image #1: Illustrator Toshinori Mori, Green wind, 2015.
Image #2: Illustrator Toshinori Mori, Hanami at the station, 2014.
Image #3: Illustrator Toshinori Mori, Snow sake brewery, 2020.
Image #4: Illustrator Toshinori Mori, Autumn color patchwork, 2018.
Image #5: Illustrator Toshinori Mori, Christmas song, 2018. - Patents
- ©Toshinori Mori 2020
Colors of Tabineko Illustration Illustration Calendar
Design Interview about Tabineko Illustration Illustration Calendar
I like to ride a mountain village on a bicycle while feeling the season.
The scenery that changes day by day, such as flowers, grass, insects, rice field scenery and clouds, and people in the town, is very delightful.
I think the core of my illustration lies in this "seasonal shift." I want to express the feeling of air and light that I felt at that time.
The cats are the "life" and "me" that are there.
The scenery that changes day by day, such as flowers, grass, insects, rice field scenery and clouds, and people in the town, is very delightful.
I think the core of my illustration lies in this "seasonal shift." I want to express the feeling of air and light that I felt at that time.
The cats are the "life" and "me" that are there.
I'm focusing on making people feel the "happiness" I felt when I saw the scenery through the shapes of clouds, the colors of plants, and the conversation between cats.
First of all, I will draw 6 more illustrations by the end of the year to make "Tabinneko Calendar 2021".
The rest is to complete the autumn and winter labels of the "Sake to Travel the Four Seasons" that is currently on sale.
Then I'd like to make a "48 postcard set" in a beautiful paper box.
The rest is to complete the autumn and winter labels of the "Sake to Travel the Four Seasons" that is currently on sale.
Then I'd like to make a "48 postcard set" in a beautiful paper box.
The first was a calendar for exhibiting at a "calendar exhibition" by fellow illustrators.
There were photos I had taken during my bicycle walk, so I decided to draw a seasonal landscape based on that.
However, I thought that it would be uninteresting only in the scenery,
so I decided to put in the cat that I started to keep at that time.
In that way, the basic concept of "Tabinneko" was decided quickly.
There were photos I had taken during my bicycle walk, so I decided to draw a seasonal landscape based on that.
However, I thought that it would be uninteresting only in the scenery,
so I decided to put in the cat that I started to keep at that time.
In that way, the basic concept of "Tabinneko" was decided quickly.
It overlaps with the above question, but this is not for work, but for exhibition at a group exhibition.
I made it with the image of a person who loves fictional cats. Or maybe it was a calendar for myself.
I made it with the image of a person who loves fictional cats. Or maybe it was a calendar for myself.
I'm doing both methods.
Handmade marketplace Etsy, hand-made original calendar from 2011,
It is sold at pinkoi, minne, Creema, iichi, Booth, etc.
In Japan, a calendar production company that leased production rights produced a calendar for 2018-2020 and sold it to stationery stores nationwide. 2021 has not been decided yet.
Handmade marketplace Etsy, hand-made original calendar from 2011,
It is sold at pinkoi, minne, Creema, iichi, Booth, etc.
In Japan, a calendar production company that leased production rights produced a calendar for 2018-2020 and sold it to stationery stores nationwide. 2021 has not been decided yet.
The theme of the first group exhibition was simply "calendar".
I think I was designing a "postcard" for the postcard exhibition.
I think I was designing a "postcard" for the postcard exhibition.
At that time, I was trying to change from a designer to an illustrator.
It was my first time to draw a calendar illustration.
So I drew only my own experience without being influenced by others. is this okay?
I thought this might not be an illustration in graphic design.
It was my first time to draw a calendar illustration.
So I drew only my own experience without being influenced by others. is this okay?
I thought this might not be an illustration in graphic design.
At first, I think I was vaguely targeting people who like cats.
While it was being sold at online shops, some people liked this calendar. I like cats as well, so I want to buy pictures next year as well.
Now the target is the one who waits for me to say so.
In 2021, there are only 6 still made. I have a heavy responsibility. ^_^
While it was being sold at online shops, some people liked this calendar. I like cats as well, so I want to buy pictures next year as well.
Now the target is the one who waits for me to say so.
In 2021, there are only 6 still made. I have a heavy responsibility. ^_^
Usually, calendars paint picturesque landscapes such as famous tourist spots.
My "Tabineko" calendar doesn't draw that kind of thing.
It's an ordinary landscape everywhere in the neighborhood.
That's because I feel more beautiful in the scenery of the neighboring Satoyama than in the sightseeing.
The area where I live experienced a big earthquake. The mountains collapsed, and I couldn't see the scenery I liked until then.
I knew how the scenery I was always watching was healing me.
The scenery that you always see is probably the most important scenery for everyone.
My "Tabineko" calendar doesn't draw that kind of thing.
It's an ordinary landscape everywhere in the neighborhood.
That's because I feel more beautiful in the scenery of the neighboring Satoyama than in the sightseeing.
The area where I live experienced a big earthquake. The mountains collapsed, and I couldn't see the scenery I liked until then.
I knew how the scenery I was always watching was healing me.
The scenery that you always see is probably the most important scenery for everyone.
This "Tabineko" is a Japanese word that combines Tabi(travel) and neko(cats). I chose "Travel cat" because it is a cat that is simply traveling. The hiragana character is used because the image it receives is more round and gentle than that of the kanji.
Macmini and Monitor of NANAO, mouse of Logitech.
(The software is Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop.)
EPSON printer, RIKOH camera GXR
(The software is Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop.)
EPSON printer, RIKOH camera GXR
I think "color". .
I hate the colors printed in CMYK.
I was wondering why printing is so dirty, even though the colors in the real world are so beautiful
Therefore, I don't put out the "Tabinneko" calendar in offset printing, but print it on my own printer. EPSON's PM4000PX prints my RGB illustrations in vivid colors.
The problem is that the printing fee is high! That is.^_^
I hate the colors printed in CMYK.
I was wondering why printing is so dirty, even though the colors in the real world are so beautiful
Therefore, I don't put out the "Tabinneko" calendar in offset printing, but print it on my own printer. EPSON's PM4000PX prints my RGB illustrations in vivid colors.
The problem is that the printing fee is high! That is.^_^
We do not collaborate with other people.
I design it myself, print it myself and cut it myself.
I design it myself, print it myself and cut it myself.
I don't know if it's a technology, but the software of the "illustrator" I'm using has various effect functions, and I use them in various ways.
Of course, the brush function is used to increase the number of cherry blossoms, but the edges are jagged, the light is blurred, and the transparency is reduced to create a perspective.
Of course, the brush function is used to increase the number of cherry blossoms, but the edges are jagged, the light is blurred, and the transparency is reduced to create a perspective.
I just searched the internet for what kind of calendar there was.
Then look for the name of the plant. I searched for words that were perfect when giving a title.
Then look for the name of the plant. I searched for words that were perfect when giving a title.
I had a hard time balancing for 12 months.
For example, we basically bring in colors that make us feel the seasons, but we try to make the colors as different as possible in the previous month.
I also think that the arrangement and poses of the cats will change as much as possible from the previous month.
For example, we basically bring in colors that make us feel the seasons, but we try to make the colors as different as possible in the previous month.
I also think that the arrangement and poses of the cats will change as much as possible from the previous month.
I was invited by email.^_^
I like your picture Would you like to apply?
I like your picture Would you like to apply?
I learned that it is more important to draw for the people who are waiting for me than to draw the one I want to draw.
At the same time, the picture I wanted to draw became clearer than before.
At the same time, the picture I wanted to draw became clearer than before.
I currently sell postcards, calendars, and art prints of "Taneko" illustrations at various handmade marketplaces. Please visit us by all means.
For Europe and America-Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TabinekoJAPAN
For Asia-pinkoi store: https://jp.pinkoi.com/store/snow-design
For Japan-minne store: https://minne.com/@snow-design
For Europe and America-Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TabinekoJAPAN
For Asia-pinkoi store: https://jp.pinkoi.com/store/snow-design
For Japan-minne store: https://minne.com/@snow-design
Grand Interview about Tabineko Illustration Illustration Calendar
My cycling journey began when I developed panic disorder.Riding my bike while gazing at the vast sky freed me from the suffocation caused by my illness. I also began to notice the surrounding plants and the shapes of the clouds in the sky—things I hadn't noticed when driving. Furthermore, cycling every day allowed me to feel the changing seasons firsthand.This is especially noticeable through the transformation of the rice paddies, from the time of planting when the fields are filled with water, to the lush green leaves, and finally to the yellowing rice stalks.The Jizo statues, clusters of flowers, old shops, and shrines surrounded by trees along the way also inspired me.And for some reason, cycling sometimes evokes a sense of happiness I felt as a child.I feel that all of these things contribute to the seasonal expression in "Tabineko" .
Perhaps it's a Japanese sensibility, but I've always loved the beautiful colors, the slightly faded finish, and the subtle misalignment of overlapping colors that are unique to woodblock prints.So, when I first decided to draw the illustrations for the "Tabineko Calendar," I wanted to create a texture that resembled woodblock prints.At the time, I was working as a designer, and I was most familiar with Adobe Illustrator, a digital application.As a design tool, using it normally results in a smooth, almost too-perfect, image that lacks interest. When you look at the picture, it doesn't inspire any further imagination. That wasn't what I wanted.I wanted to create an image that felt more human, with warmth.So, I decided to use the "Roughen" function in the "Effects" menu of Illustrator to add subtle bumps and textures to the lines.It created a slightly woodblock print-like blurring effect, which turned out quite nice.However, it's incredibly time-consuming because I have to change the parameters depending on the size of the color area. ^_^Also, to create a "faded" effect similar to printing on Japanese paper,I processed a scanned image of fabric and pasted it in first.This gives it a faded look in places.I'm often asked, "Is this a woodblock print?", but it's a little sad when people are disappointed when I say, "It's digital." ^_^
The award didn't drastically change my life in any way. However, for some clients, the award might have been a significant factor in their decision to commission work.The biggest change was within myself. Knowing that people overseas appreciated the quality of my paintings gave me a great deal of confidence.Also, winning the award broadened my perspective to a global one, which I think was a major shift in my mindset. I began to notice the good qualities and beauty of Japan more than before. I think this is because I became more conscious of "how people overseas see Japan."
That's true. I don't really understand what kind of impact my meticulous attention to color reproduction has on the viewer.My dedication to color reproduction is purely for my own satisfaction.In the case of digital art, there's no original artwork; the printed version serves that purpose. It's amazing to think that a specific color is chosen from an infinite number of colors.When I'm deciding on colors, it's always like I'm having a conversation with another version of myself.It might say, "It's a little too dark," or "The red is too strong," so I change it and say, "How about this?" It's finished when it stops saying anything.Sorry, this isn't really an answer. ^_^
asically, I use the dates of the photos I've taken as a guide.However, when selling calendars nationwide, the flowering seasons and rice harvesting seasons differ between my area and Tokyo, so I make some adjustments and swaps.While I primarily draw plants based on photos I've taken, I sometimes research them online for more detailed information.
Before creating this calendar, I designed, manufactured, and sold a small cardboard clock called "Hakodokei" (box clock).That's when I learned the tricks to making patterns for cutting out cardboard. I also got to know a cardboard factory that could cut out my designs.There are commercially available calendars that can be used both as wall calendars and desk calendars, right? I thought it would be great if the Tabineko calendar could be used both ways, and that's how it ended up in this form. My previous experience making clocks came in handy there.
Well, I don't really know where it comes from.This is what it turned out to be. ^_^Maybe it comes from my childhood love of animals, or maybe from my experience as a toy designer. The realistic depiction of buildings might come from my grandfather's DNA, since he was a carpenter. ^_^
This wasn't so much about sustainability, but rather, when I thought about what it would be like to buy it and throw it away, I realized that if it was all paper, it would be easier to just throw it away as is, which is less hassle.So, I searched online for paper stoppers that I could use for this calendar. And luckily, I found these paper (fiber) stoppers. When I found them, I thought, "Ah, this calendar is going to work!" You need that kind of luck for things to work out, don't you?
I think there are two directions.One is landscape paintings with an "artistic" quality. I consider this to be the core of "Tabineko." The other is the cats as "characters."When developing in different formats, I think it's necessary to consider which direction to emphasize and adjust the balance according to the item.
hope that "Tabineko" will spread slowly and naturally throughout the world.Foreigners visiting Japan might find a postcard in a shop and send it to a friend back home. That person might then share it on their social media, and others who see it will learn about "Tabineko."Just like the "Tabineko" characters travel on foot, I hope it will spread little by little in that way.