fShare

Tweet

Graphic Design is more like a language – it is an identity, a way of communication that retains its own cultural characteristics even though it shares similar design’s aesthetics. Just like various types of arts, Graphic Design also varies from one culture to another and is especially influenced by the norm of life and history of a country.
Culture influences what every culture sees as good design, bad design or just plan boring design. Culture to a certain extent complicates design. If you want to take a product, service, marketing campaign or even a leaflet to different countries, you have to look out for the local culture and how it will react.
There are lots are areas for consideration within design. Colours is a commonly used example – what is good in one culture, might mean something very different in another. For example, in South Africa red is the colour of mourning. However, in China red symbolises good fortune. Trying to sell the same red product in those two countries would get a very different response.
The designer has to investigate each cultural group that might be affected by a product to ensure that the design is suitable. In Japan, traditionally people sit on the floor to eat the family meal, so the design of dining furniture for the Asian country is very different to that in Europe.

Globalized designers
Culture like environment can have a major influence on a designer. Whether it is remaining true to cultural traditions or following the urge to break free from tradition and create your own path, there is no denying that culture had an impact on your decision making.
The connection between culture and Graphic Design used to be stronger; nowadays through the process of globalization it has been disconnected in response to the emergence of a more universal contemporary culture in the field. However, even though graphic designers’ works may have influences from other cultures and merge into the globalization era, their designs still differ from one another in their cultural essence.

After World War II, Japan’s rise from defeat to became a major center for creativity. Japanese hoped to maintain national traditions while incorporating international influences. An example is the systematic organization and theoretical foundation of European constructivism. This was a major resource for the Japanese design movement. It was curbed by the Japanese inclination toward intuitive problem solving, centered compositions, and the simple forms of traditional family crests.
Yusaku Kamekura brought professionalism to this art in Japan. He was founder of the Japan Advertising Club and, in 1960, established the Japan Design Center. His work was characterized by the very well known Japanese discipline, but with strong understanding of new printing techniques and awareness of the International Typographic Style.
When we appreciate a visual element, let’s not forget that Graphic Design and art in general makes us view the world at a different angle. But this differences are precisely the basis of a richer cultural background worlwide.