Kiyoshi Awazu was a renowned Japanese graphic designer, known for his contributions across various creative fields including poster design, architecture, set design, filmmaking, and illustration. A self-taught artist, Awazu developed a distinctive and eclectic graphic style, characterised by vibrant colour schemes, the use of motifs from both traditional Japanese art and modern pop culture, and the integration of supergraphics and expressive typography.
He was a founding member of the Japan Graphic Designers Association (JAGDA) and played a central role in defining what an engaged, culturally critical Japanese graphic design could look like. His collaborations with avant-garde film directors, experimental theatre companies, and radical publishers placed him at the centre of Japan’s graphic design scene.
