Meet Jo Iijima | Graphic Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jo Iijima and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jo, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Growing up, I lived in various cities worldwide, including Tokyo, Hong Kong, Vienna, Toronto, and New York City. These diverse experiences have enriched my personal understanding of the world. Growing up in and experiencing diverse cultures, I have always enjoyed looking at the graphics, typography, and posters in different cities. My interest in music and album covers transcended my interest in graphic design. As a graphic designer, I am always interested in knowing how our perception is influenced by and reacts to different design elements, including color, typography, and shape. I believe design can brighten the moment of someone’s life and give a sense of joy. Being a designer, each project leads me to a new learning experience. I constantly yearn to have a broader perspective on looking at the subject from multiple points of view through research and process, which makes how I view the world more enjoyable.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
It was definitely not easy to get to the place where I am today as a designer. I always believed in myself but there were many moments that I compared myself to others and I questioned my skills. The habit that made my mental condition better was that I started to appreciate things around me more.

My willingness to experiment and take inspiration from my unique background and the world around me brings dynamism to my work. Growing up in different cities has given me opportunities to think deeply about communication with people. I refer back to my own past in different places and how communication with different people can differ in culture, occasions, language, etc. Some words can only be described by their language in a written or verbal form. This made me curious about creating compelling narratives through dynamic typography that surprises and offers fresh perspectives to the audience. For the 88rising rebrand I designed for a school project, the original logo typeface, “Rising Super,” embodies growth and inclusivity with its negative space in the corner, allowing both the artists and the audience to contribute to the completion of 88rising. The number 88 has a meaning of double happiness in Chinese culture, and the new branding aims to establish a brand that brings fortune and well-being to its audience and artists. The corner notches in the typeface draw inspiration from the Chinese phrase “Bamian Laicai,” featuring eight sides representing wealth, which means “wealth coming in from all corners of the world.” The corner notches also symbolize impermanence and 88rising’s ongoing commitment to progress. The typography is dynamic and versatile, rising to elevate important voices and break cultural boundaries.

What helped me in a design approach was I always kept a few quotes in mind: “Who am I speaking to? How can I help them? How can I bring a fresh perspective and surprise to them?” I pay close attention to the world around me, seeking inspiration from all sources. Through collaborating with various creative directors, peers, and professors, I have learned the invaluable skill of drawing inspiration from diverse sources and transcending the boundaries of a screen.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Pasadena is surrounded by many good restaurants that are diverse in culture. Paper Rice is a restaurant that I go to often. They serve amazing Vietnamese make your own roll / bowl meals. For those like myself who enjoy looking at album covers, I would definitely take them to record shops such as Going Underground Records in Little Tokyo. Eaton Canyon, Rose Bowl, is a good place to hike and walk around, which is where I take a little breather when I am feeling a little bit overwhelmed.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First, I would like to give a huge shoutout to my parents, who have always supported my design education. I would also like to thank all the professors who have supported my education. There are so many people and mentors I would like to give a shoutout to. If I were to pick one, I would give a shoutout to Guillaume Wolf. He sadly passed away a year ago, but he has significantly influenced me as a designer and a person. He was my professor in my first and second year of studio classes. Not only did he teach me many design techniques, but he also taught me how to approach and build my personality as a professional designer.

Website: https://joiijima.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joiijima.com_/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-iijima-6577a9254/