T shirt design Snow Splash 2010: Dane Ash Designer

Snow Splash t-shirt logo incorporated into the design

Snow Splash t-shirt design front and back
I recently designed the new T-shirt for the Snow Splash music festival held annually in Hakuba and Minakami. Originally reggae, the festival has grown in size and evolved into a diverse event. Staff and band members wear the shirts at the event and they are also on sale. The t-shirt design required I combine the logo with the band names. Here is the result.

T shirt design trails and experimentation
Design started for a series of T-shirts in the planning. I have not done much work in fashion but quickly I am learning some lessons in design composition. People all have an individual taste and trying to design for everyone is impossible. I myself like plain colors and minimal designs on my T-shirts. Either that or a fine pattern that can go with various clothes. This is contrast with most of the art I produce. The first mistake I made was to design for shirts in a random way. Organic forms rather that geometric or balanced shapes. It was very difficult to do. Bringing balance to an organic form. Balance being so important in design but particularly when used with the form of the body. Still I am working on this.

The other was to realize that, what I like may not be what is popular or wearable by others. I found my T-shirt designs at first looked good small on the screen but scaled and printed appeared dull and less attractive. So I find the challenge I am faced with now is making the design interesting without being over the top. Keeping it minimal so it goes with a variety of clothes but amplifying detail to catch the eye. One thing I think that works is if you go fine, reduce the colors but if you go simple, increase the size and color palette. I will be working more to perfect some T-shirt designs and will post more soon.

I got down to Elixir cafe for an Osaka design and arts networking event. FLAG Osaka, a free gallery and exhibition listing, had its launch party and there was a nice turnout. The publication features current information about exhibitions around Osaka and some profiles of local artists and events.The good spots are flagged on the map for you to easily find. Pick it up in cafes and galleries around Osaka. I am sure many people interested in Japan design and art will find this useful as it is often hard to find English information about art in Kansai.

nobori advertising banners flying high
I have to design some nobori soon so I was doing some research. I realized it is a pretty unique advertising format. A long banner usually made from cotton or a synthetic material displayed at the front of businesses. The long format is ideal for kanji writing because of course, the traditional way to write kanji runs from top to bottom and right to left.

Originally nobori were used as a battlefield marker in feudal Japan. Bright colors and shear numbers of nobori were used as intimidation. Now it has been adopted an advertising medium on the streets of Japan.

a nice design using the length of the nobori to good effect

a kyoto restaurant shop front
In Kyoto this advertising format seems to be popular. Because Kyoto’s heritage has been preserved and it is one of few remaining places you can see traditional buildings in Japan, Kyoto has some strict guidelines in place about advertising on buildings. No bright signs, flashing lights or huge billboards crowd the streets. Sometimes it is hard to even notice a business is open. Nobori can be used to good effect in Kyoto. I will post some more examples of nobori I design soon.

The black and white contrast and complex shapes in this noren grabbed my attention. I am lucky to live in Kyoto with a rich source of inspiration so close by. There is always balance in the designs used in temples in Japan. If a noren is displayed it means the place is open. They are used in many colors, varieties and functions from the amazing temple gates to the local izakaya doorway.

Kimono on display at Buson Kyoto

Detailed fabric pattern and obi design by Cotoco
I had the fortunate opportunity to go check out a Kimono exhibition by kimono designer Akiko Mikami at Buson in Kyoto. Her new range of designs for her kimono brand Cotoco were on display. The combination of detailed patterns and striking rich colorful obi (belt) designs are done to perfection. Whilst still maintaining the traditional form and use of traditional design elements, the designs have a modern and original touch individual to the designer. An amazing achievement.
See more kimono designs at her website.

Dane Ash Designer

In Japan the advertising posters around the streets are pinned to the wall using these little stickers. On close inspection they have some cool designs. I have seen about 6 different styles ranging from a simple red dot to the more detailed versions you see here. Must be because there is no BluTac here. more design stuff

Bride and Wolfe needed a delicate design to match their intricate designs. The site features soft overlays or pattern work in its background and a simple but effective flash slideshow of the Bride and Wolfe designs.
Check out the new shop aswell: Bride and Wolfe Shop

Identity for LaLou Designs

Business Cards for LaLou Designs

LaLou Designs needed a new website, identity and business cards. The identity is a little bit different, very free flowing and light. It compliments with the designers Japanese and Australian influences well.

100% Design Tokyo festival logo on its entrance
Hint! Press Pass! Tokyo is big and so are its events. The 100% Design event was a showcase of the scene in Tokyo and Internationally. Displays in shipping crates is popular at the moment. Nike had a gallery of shoe history complete with security entrance to interlocking crates. A stand out was the visa cards and a canvas displays. I have never seen so much printed material. Get designers together showing off their stuff and the fliers will be a plenty.

interiors were a focus

Dane Ash is an Australian Designer and Artist based in Kyoto Japan. He provides graphic design and web design services for a broad range of businesses both in Australia and the Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo areas of Japan.

Hire me and you don’t just get a creative, you get a creative business thinker that solves problems that help make you money.

I understand the importance of motivation, inspiration and positive thinking and how it relates to your bottom line in your business.

Fueled by strategic and planned action, the best possible results and profits can be achieved. Let’s face it; creative work is not just creative it has a purpose aimed at increasing profit for its business. Get positive results and a design strategically planned for maximum results.

We all know the importance of a good web presence to a business. What defines a good web presence? User friendly functionality, design that stands out from the crowd and content specifically geared at getting maximum traffic through search engine results, affiliation and targeted marketing. It is experience and a little flair that is needed to deliver the results your business needs in all aspects of Web Design.

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From modest beginnings it is important to envisage grand things. It all starts with a logo that has the potential to work as the timeless, core of your business’s identity. Get more than just a logo. Place your business in the right marketplace. Target the right people whether it be customers or associates. Get it right from the start!

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Believe it or not a good Business card, Brochure, Poster or even a Magazine article can still be an efficient way to market your business. Creative design which compliments your business, delivers the right message and has the right look is a fine mix but very achievable with the correct brand strategy as a foundation.

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For more information or a quote contact Dane Ash

Perhaps my biggest project yet. Friends Aaron, Rene and myself took apon ourselves to create a music and arts related site where artists and musicians have the opportunity to promote themselves for free. Its simple! Features all the best local talent in one place and provides surfer with a great guide for good entertainment and culture.

We had a big launch party to kick it all off. Some great acts turned up to help out and we managed to pay them all. Artists displayed work on the walls and the beer flowed a plenty. A fitting party after a year of hard work.