Ex‐formation植物

by Kenya Hara

For Kenya Hara, design begins with comprehension of the unknown. In contrast to“information,” “exformation” describes how little we really know and thus becomesthe starting point for any type of design. Based on a range of projects the bookdescribes what “exformation” can look like in design practice and how this conceptalters our classic understanding of information design. Following the path embarkedon in Designing Design (2007) and its successor, White (2010), Ex-formationcontinues to explore the void, absence, and indeterminacy in contemporary design.

Genres: Design, Japan, Art Design, Nonfiction, Art

Tankobon Hardcover

First published September 25, 2015

About the author

Kenya Hara (born 1958) is a Japanese graphic designer and curator. He is a graduate of Musashino Art University.

Hara has been the art director of Muji since 2001 and designed the opening and closing ceremony programs of the Nagano Winter Olympic Games 1998. He published Designing Design, in which he elaborates on the importance of “emptiness” in both the visual and philosophical traditions of Japan, and its application to design. In 2008, Hara partnered with fashion label Kenzo for the launch of its men's fragrance Kenzo Power.

Hara is a leading design personality in Japan and in 2000 had his own exhibition “Re-Design: The Daily Products of the 21st Century”.

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Zhou · Rating 5 out of 5]

有趣！

[Finlay · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favourites were the solid smoke shapes, and the bottles-as-bodies.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

The reader should be aware that this isn't the definitive conceptual exploration of the "ex-formation" concept (though that's an oxymoronic goal if there ever was one), but is instead a collection of student projects to explore various subjects with "ex-formation" like strategies. I think Kenya Hara is very kind to put the spotlight on the students in this way, and indeed the work is very delightful and thought provoking, like a good contemporary art museum visit.

I think that Designing Design (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) as a masterful survey of Kenya Hara's work, including the ex-formation concept, and not only has sufficient coverage of those ideas, but places it in the context of Hara's broader work, and I would actually start there to understand what ex-formation is all about. If you're looking for a lighter introduction to Kenya Hara, I would start with White (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) as a well-contained masterpiece.

Once you read these, and want to see how the ex-formation concept is extended from year-to-year, this book is a great follow-up.

[Yan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every designer should read Kenya Hara's book. His books always give me a new perspective to look at our ordinary daily products or places.