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Shigeo Fukuda

Shigeo Fukuda was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1932. Fukuda is considered to be “Japan’s consummate visual communicator” as the ADC Global puts it. He is the first Japanese designer to be placed into the Art Directors Hall of Fame. Fukuda is known for his illusionism designs as his biggest influence in life was a modern Japanese graphic designer by the name of Takashi Kohno. Fukuda is extremely well represented in his designs where he is very raw, truthful, and real with his artworks. He explains his work as “I believe that in design, 30% dignity, 20% beauty and 50% absurdity are necessary. Rather than catering to the design sensitivity of the general public, there is advancement in design if people are left to feel satisfied with their own superiority, by entrapping them with visual illusion.” Designers should be able to design things that make them happy and what they truly believe in, whether or not it is popular among others. Fukuda really exemplifies his beliefs and his true feelings in his work and he is a great designer in which he pours his heart into his pieces and people can either agree or disagree. ADC Global also talks about the “Victory 1945” which is his most famous poster. He won a grand prize in the 1975 Warsaw Poster Contest. As I looked up the poster, I was amazed at how simple the poster was as it only captured two images but it portrayed such a strong, powerful message. I also saw his work “Legs” and did not know that that was his work. This piece really holds a lot for me as this image was one of the reasons why I wanted to change my major to Graphic Design in the first place. Just the fact that I happened to be placed with the artist behind this work really baffles my mind and makes me really appreciate graphic design and especially Shigeo Fukuda. Fukuda’s illusion designs really cause the audience to really stop and think about his designs. All of them have such an incredible meaning whether it’s on peace in the world or the close knit relationships humans hold with each other, Fukuda has created a way where all his works all have a story and portray great importance.

1. Fukuda is an optical illusion designer

2. His works convey a special meaning towards world issues in his work.

3. Highly respected across the world especially in Japan (representative of Japan) as he was the first Japanese designer to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.