Clear from the Start
Transparency is huge.
What I mean, is that the new “good guest service” is communicative, clear and honest guest service. Building loyalty requires respect and morally sticking to your promises.
On my smartphone, I keep a small list of details that my clients must know, before I send them a quote for services (which I usually send after the initial brief). If I’m meeting with them in person or on the phone, I always like to mention the following things before closing the conversation so as not to shock/surprise them later.
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April 16, 2012 • Nathan Hoernig • Culture, General Design, Marketing, Typography
A common advertising strategy in Japan, handing out tissues with advertisements inside.
How This Article Came About
A few months ago, I was intrigued to hear some people’s opinions about the state of design in Japan. I posted a topic in a community with the question:
Do Japanese graphic designers have the grit to keep up with the western design sense?
I’ll be honest, I was looking for some heated and heartfelt feedback so I deliberately made the question a bit aggressive.
The perspective of that argument was based around the common notion that western design plays more with negative space, white space and simple layouts, while the Japanese style is sometimes considered more of a “what can we put here?” style. The response was outstanding and from that discussion, I realized that there are a lot of things to consider about the way we design for Japanese audiences.
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March 19, 2012 • Nathan Hoernig • General Design, Printing, Typography
The Value of Well-designed Content
One of the most important elements of design is the way its proposed to your customers. Whether that be with graphics or written copy, it’s important that your message is delivered. In your own native language, this may be quite difficult. In a foreign language (such as Japanese), this is nearly impossible.
This article will guide you through some tips about using Japanese text in your marketing and designs. We’ll highlight some important points about typography, formatting text, and creating a pleasing composition with your copy.
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March 5, 2012 • Nathan Hoernig • Art History, Culture, Nature
photo credit: 2D2f on deviantart
Japan has an extensive artistic history. Through isolationism, its buddhist history through China, and its own religion Shintoism, the aesthetic qualities and elements of Japanese art have flourished and evolved in an entirely unique way.
These aesthetics have been practiced and developed through the many different art forms here in Japan: ikebana, pottery, woodblock printing and architecture, to name a few.
In this article, we’ll look not at the individual art mediums as described above, but one artistic “emotion” that’s been alive in Japan for centuries. Behold, an overly simplistic introduction to the concept of…
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February 13, 2012 • Nathan Hoernig • Marketing, Packaging
What’s New Years in Japan?
New Years in Japan isn’t like it is in a lot of western countries. The Japanese celebrate New Years with family, a trip to the shrine and with select foods called osechi. Packaging design also gets a taste of New Years and that’s what this article is all about.
How do Japanese food manufacturers utilize the New Years festivities in packaging design?
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