NAONORI YAGO

Born in Shizuoka in 1986. Graduated from Musashino Art University, Department of Visual Communication Design in 2008, after which he joined Hakuhodo in 2009. Affiliated with SIX since 2014. Major awards include Tokyo ADC, JAGDA New Designer Award, D&AD, NY ADC and ONE SHOW.

Instagram

@yagonaonori

Osaka Art & Design

February 2025

SENSAI SS25 / Graphics

March 2025

Mobo

December 2024

ew. note calendar

December 2024

CRAFT MILK'S Teranishi Farm

December 2024

UNIQLO HEATTECH / Graphics

December 2024

casa tree gin

November 2024

Imitative Behaviour : In the Footsteps of My Daughters

November 2024

Imitative Behaviour : In the Footsteps of My Daughters

November 2024

Imitative Behaviour : In the Footsteps of My Daughters

November 2024

Imitative Behaviour : In the Footsteps of My Daughters

November 2024

TSUCHIYA KABAN, 60th ANNIVERSARY

November 2024

Imitative Behaviour : In the Footsteps of My Daughters

October 2024

Imitative Behaviour : In the Footsteps of My Daughters

October 2024

Imitative Behaviour : In the Footsteps of My Daughter

October 2024

pond

October 2024

Imitative Behaviour : In the Footsteps of My Daughters

October 2024

Imitative Behaviour : In the Footsteps of My Daughter

October 2024

This project is a collaboration series with my daughter. We create many drawings and paintings during our time together. Sometimes she imitates my drawings, sometimes I imitate hers. Our creations influence each other. The flow is simple: I select some of her drawings and paintings, scan them, then trace her lines with dots on my computer. We started this collaboration when she was 3 years old; now she is 6. She still struggles to control the strength of her arm, which normally results in her lines being either too weak or too strong. I want to express that lack of control as graphic design, so I trace her lines, using fewer dots for weak strokes and more dots for strong ones. I see this as imitative behavior, following in my daughter’s footsteps. Typically, “imitative behavior” refers to children mimicking their parents. But in this case, I am imitating my daughter’s creations. This has been a very enriching experience for me as an artist. Usually, we draw inspiration from the past — history, art movements, and old masters. I, too, have often created designs inspired by the past. But this project is inspired by the future: my daughter’s work. I have always tried to build a relationship with the future by looking at the past. But now, I believe creators should build a relationship with the future by looking forward. I watched a zombie movie a few years ago where someone said: “Suppose you can only help one: adults or children. Choosing adults is choosing wisdom. Choosing children is choosing hope”. I want to build a relationship with the future through a design that has this “hope”.

Imitative Behaviour : In the Footsteps of My Daughter

October 2024

This project is a collaboration series with my daughter. We create many drawings and paintings during our time together. Sometimes she imitates my drawings, sometimes I imitate hers. Our creations influence each other. The flow is simple: I select some of her drawings and paintings, scan them, then trace her lines with dots on my computer. We started this collaboration when she was 3 years old; now she is 6. She still struggles to control the strength of her arm, which normally results in her lines being either too weak or too strong. I want to express that lack of control as graphic design, so I trace her lines, using fewer dots for weak strokes and more dots for strong ones. I see this as imitative behavior, following in my daughter’s footsteps. Typically, “imitative behavior” refers to children mimicking their parents. But in this case, I am imitating my daughter’s creations. This has been a very enriching experience for me as an artist. Usually, we draw inspiration from the past — history, art movements, and old masters. I, too, have often created designs inspired by the past. But this project is inspired by the future: my daughter’s work. I have always tried to build a relationship with the future by looking at the past. But now, I believe creators should build a relationship with the future by looking forward. I watched a zombie movie a few years ago where someone said: “Suppose you can only help one: adults or children. Choosing adults is choosing wisdom. Choosing children is choosing hope”. I want to build a relationship with the future through a design that has this “hope”.

Imitative Behaviour : In the Footsteps of My Daughter

October 2024

This project is a collaboration series with my daughter. We create many drawings and paintings during our time together. Sometimes she imitates my drawings, sometimes I imitate hers. Our creations influence each other. The flow is simple: I select some of her drawings and paintings, scan them, then trace her lines with dots on my computer. We started this collaboration when she was 3 years old; now she is 6. She still struggles to control the strength of her arm, which normally results in her lines being either too weak or too strong. I want to express that lack of control as graphic design, so I trace her lines, using fewer dots for weak strokes and more dots for strong ones. I see this as imitative behavior, following in my daughter’s footsteps. Typically, “imitative behavior” refers to children mimicking their parents. But in this case, I am imitating my daughter’s creations. This has been a very enriching experience for me as an artist. Usually, we draw inspiration from the past — history, art movements, and old masters. I, too, have often created designs inspired by the past. But this project is inspired by the future: my daughter’s work. I have always tried to build a relationship with the future by looking at the past. But now, I believe creators should build a relationship with the future by looking forward. I watched a zombie movie a few years ago where someone said: “Suppose you can only help one: adults or children. Choosing adults is choosing wisdom. Choosing children is choosing hope”. I want to build a relationship with the future through a design that has this “hope”.

reworks "BaSara"

September 2024

CRAFT MILK'S Koizumi Farm

May 2014

SENSAI AW24 / Graphics

September 2024

AT THE BENCH

August 2024

Azabudai Hills Matsuri / Graphics

August 2024

Azabudai Hills Matsuri / Event

August 2024

UNIQLO, AIRism

July 2024

Mikiya Takimoto Works 1998-2023

July 2024

Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto

April 2014

Mobo

May 2024

SHISHIDO KAVKA, Itsumademo / Posters

May 2024

The sleeves for Kavka Shishido’s LP record “Forever and ever”. Because Kavka’s stage name means “crow” in Czech, the design shows two crows playing in a wheat field. Since beer is mentioned in the lyrics, crows hold red nuts in their beaks as a tribute to the mythical God Ebisu, portrayed on a can of a well-known Japanese beer brand, Yebisu.

Masterpieces I saw in my dream

March 2024

The drawings are based on masterpieces of world art and the artist's dreams. The drawing technique mirrors the structure of dreams with cuts and blurriness. Among the artists whose works was used for the reference are Kuniyoshi Utagawa, Hokusai, Monet, Van Gogh and Jakuchu. Exhibited at BnA Kyoto at an exhibition under the title "Suite room", which gave the impulse to Yago's newest work, "Dreaming in an art hotel".

The last show

January 2024

JAGDA’S last New Designer Award 2023 exhibition was held in Kumamoto. As during all other exhibitions, Yago's work was exhibited along with the works of Shun Ishizuka and Kako Fujita. This time, the theme of the visual was “the last show”. The poster, designed by Yago, plays with the word “kuma” in “Kumamoto” (that means “bear” in Japanese), and the history of Kumamoto as a part of the ancient Hi Province, the province of fire.

Ginza Motoji 2023AW

October 2023

Second Life for a Graphic

July 2023

A work created out of elements of a project for a client. The red ink is used along with water, creating an unusual blurry effect.

A fairy

July 2023

In summer 2023, Yago was in charge of a design workshop for kids at Design hub in Tokyo Midtown. He strongly believes that when children work hard making something, it will turn into a precious memory that will keep shining within them, and may change their future. Thus the purpose of the workshop was to give children the opportunity to experience this shining.

Hakuhodo DY Group, Aspirations Unleashed

July 2023

“The New Animal Caricatures”, the exhibition

June 2023

The exhibition was held at Graf porch in Osaka, a gallery owned by the furniture brand Graf. Among other works, Yago exhibited washi prints and works layering original drawings and prints. The exhibition questioned what “original” and “copy” means, while attempting to explore the fine line between art and design.

The New Animal Caricatures

June 2023

“The New Animal Caricatures” were born out of “A Bird of Useless Elegance”, with the artist continuing to explore the theme of weakness. The series started with an image of an old peacock and evolved into a number of images of animals and mythical creatures, all continuing to explore what being weak really means.

a very merry usual day 2023

May 2023

Created for the DVD of the artist Chara's live show.

A Bird of Useless Elegance

April 2023

The work that was born out of the artist's doubts about the nature of design. Yago's discovery of design as weak and powerless lead him to drawing a peacock, whose only ability is to spread its beautiful feathers. Same as design, the peacock can do nothing beyond just being beautiful. Yago has said:”I wanted people to feel the beauty and strength not in the beauty of the wings themselves, but in the way they strive to be beautiful”.

JAGDA New Designer Award Osaka

April 2023

AQ Group / Logo

April 2023

JAGDA New Designer Award Tokyo

April 2023

AQ Residence / Logo

April 2023

AKIKO YANO & SOICHI NOGUCHI, Kiminiaitainda Totemo

March 2023

Fujifabric

February 2023

Hakuhodo DY Group, Purpose

January 2023

casa tree

October 2022

A poster made for a Christmas tree brand "casa tree" that delivers fir trees to customers for the Christmas season and then takes them back to a farm in Nasu, Tochigi, until next year. Since Yago have always dreamt of reimagining the aesthetics of a traditional Japanese Christmas that is based on simple colour palettes and over-commercialization, this project has given him a chance to suggest his own vision of the holiday.

UNTISHOLD, Nocera & Ferri

August 2022

UNTISHOLD, Harriet Parry Flowers

August 2022

UNTISHOLD, Dubinkaite Monika

August 2022

SHISHIDO KAVKA, Itsumademo / LP

July 2022

“Little Snow White”, the book

May 2022

Series for KOGANE BY SACRAN, based on the photographs taken together with the video director Suguru Takeuchi in Hokkaido, and the story of Grimm’s Little Snow White. The book includes the text of Grimm’s tale of Little Snow White and the edits of the pictures.

Little Snow White

May 2022

Series for KOGANE BY SACRAN, based on the photographs taken together with the video director Suguru Takeuchi in Hokkaido, and the story of Grimm’s Little Snow White. Handwritten letters are wetted with water to give the impression of melting snow, water from the Kogane River, or Sacran lotion.

“The Absence of Rina Ohta”, the book

May 2022

Published by Seigensha. Includes the contents of the eponymous exhibition and an essay by Rina Ohta.

The Absence of Rina Ohta B1

May 2022

This work is a collaboration with Rina Ohta, Japanese fashion model and actress. The idea was born out of Rina’s accidental remark: “I wish I could transform into lines”. As a model, Rina’s work has always been centered around using her physical body. Thus, for Yago and Rina this series has been an attempt to express Rina’s existence in a different, non-physical way. Yago focuses on Rina’s life, objects that surround her, places she attends, trying to capture her by proxy. Thus, Rina’s absent physical body is substituted by other physical objects. The poses and the still lives are influenced by classical paintings such as Egon Schiele’s and Paul Cézanne’s. The choice of the fluorescent ink is motivated by Rina’s preference in her clothes.

The Absence of Rina Ohta B4

May 2022

This work is a collaboration with Rina Ohta, Japanese fashion model and actress. The idea was born out of Rina’s accidental remark: “I wish I could transform into lines”. As a model, Rina’s work has always been centered around using her physical body. Thus, for Yago and Rina this series has been an attempt to express Rina’s existence in a different, non-physical way. Yago focuses on Rina’s life, objects that surround her, places she attends, trying to capture her by proxy. Thus, Rina’s absent physical body is substituted by other physical objects. The poses and the still lives are influenced by classical paintings such as Egon Schiele’s and Paul Cézanne’s. The choice of the fluorescent ink is motivated by Rina’s preference in her clothes.

The Absence of Rina Ohta B2

May 2022

This work is a collaboration with Rina Ohta, Japanese fashion model and actress. The idea was born out of Rina’s accidental remark: “I wish I could transform into lines”. As a model, Rina’s work has always been centered around using her physical body. Thus, for Yago and Rina this series has been an attempt to express Rina’s existence in a different, non-physical way. Yago focuses on Rina’s life, objects that surround her, places she attends, trying to capture her by proxy. Thus, Rina’s absent physical body is substituted by other physical objects. The poses and the still lives are influenced by classical paintings such as Egon Schiele’s and Paul Cézanne’s. The choice of the fluorescent ink is motivated by Rina’s preference in her clothes.

ZIPAIR / Aircraft

May 2022

Hope

April 2022

Another work created in collaboration with the artist's daughter. Yago draws inspiration from the freedom of the child, of the way her work starts from the lines themselves, not the conceptualizing. Trying to learn that freedom, the artist traced his daughter's drawings on his computer.

A kitten has arrived

April 2022

This work has been created by the artist in collaboration with his 3 years old daughter, who wrote the story. Yago has designed her drawing and writing on his PC. The story is the following: “A kitten has arrived” Once upon a time, there was an elephant named Hanako. Hanako went to a park, stumbling on the way. A crow flew away, stealing a bento. The sun fought for the bento. The crow got angry. Then, Miki-chan and Maki-chan Cut the crow into pieces. The sky turned into a monster and fell. Then, the rain started. Then, a poop baby was born. He cried: “wah-wah”. The rain baby cried: “Where is my mama?” The rain girls held each other's hands. The cherry kicked the ball and ate bugs. Someone walked over a pool: splish-splash. The moon wore glasses, And raised her chin. The moon went to school. The bug dropped the cherry. Then he carried his house away. I stepped on an egg yolk. A Wiggly Worm got angry.

koedo mameya

April 2022

NAGATORO et GALET / Logo

March 2022

NAGATORO POTATO CHIPS

March 2022

Ginza Motoji 2022SS

February 2022

GINZA magazine

January 2022

Ginza Motoji 2021AW

October 2021

KOGANE BY SACRAN

August 2021

A graphic design work that was inspired by the Kogane River (Fukuoka prefecture). The Kogane RIver ecosystem is known to be unusual, due to the influence of the ash from Mount Aso. The river has inspired the artist to express its rich flora and fauna: birds, dragonflies, wildflowers, wild grasses and butterflies. This work intends to question our established concept of “organic = kind and fragile”, raising the issue of what it means to survive in the wilderness and what kind of strength is necessary to remain alive. The techniques express this strength through cut-up images, rough texture, crude copy and pasting.

KOGANE BY SACRAN / Posters

August 2021

AKIKO YANO, Ongaku wa Okurimono

August 2021

Bow of Peach Wood and Arrow of Thistle

July 2021

This work makes use of the Japanese omamori amulets, said to provide various forms of luck and protection. Having made over a hundred different patterns, the artist chose only three: snakes, bull’s skulls and tigers. The reason for such harsh selection is that the strongest religious talismans in Japan are always carefully chosen among others. There has also been a clothing line made based on these graphics. The clothes have been designed as “wearable talismans” – in Japan it is believed that you should always have your talisman with you. Exhibited in “Nick White”, a vintage shop in Tokyo.

Meimei no Kokorozashi

June 2021

The work addresses the theme of death, making a clear reference through Japanese traditional symbolism: red spider lilies have been associated with the world of the dead for centuries. The artist also brings in his personal experience of having attended his grandfather's funeral. Since in Japan cremation is the most standard way of disposing of the bodies, Yago has mentioned that the colour of the bones – pink – that the relatives receive after the cremation, has stayed with him as colour that remains to be the evidence of the life of the person who passed away.

NeOFRONT

April 2021

YOKOHAMA GONTAZAKA CHUO CLINIC

April 2021

LiB CONSULTING

March 2021

Interlude

March 2021

LUMINE, "IT'S NEW" WEEK

February 2021

ano, SWEETSIDE SUICIDE / Graphics

February 2021

KOGANE BY SACRAN

December 2020

PEEK-A-BOO x ano / Graphics

December 2020

medusa

October 2020

Created in the autumn of 2020, during the outbreak of coronavirus. First released on instagram. Inspired by Japanese omamori amulets, said to provide various forms of luck and protection. Drawn by hand, with the exception of the eyes and tongues of the snakes that were added digitally.

Biollan

October 2020

These 11 works were created in six months during the Covid-19 pandemic. They were inspired by the flowers, their transience, but also their ability to transform and become beautiful through withering, to overcome decay. All the works are drawn on A4 copy paper in pastels, which recalls flower pollen due to the powdery texture. A4 copy paper is a tribute to Yago’s job as an art director.

SENSAI SS21 Shinjuku

October 2020

SENSAI SS21 Osaka

October 2020

SENSAI SS21 Nagoya

October 2020

SENSAI SS21 / Graphics

October 2020

beautiful data

October 2020

SLY

August 2020

SAKURA FES NIHONBASHI

May 2020

Mikkusu Magazine

May 2020

ZIPAIR / Uniform

April 2020

ZIPAIR / Exhibition

April 2020

ZIPAIR / Aircraft

April 2020

ZIPAIR / Brand design

April 2020

BaSara daikanyama

April 2020

Roppongi Hills Fashion 2020 Spring / Book

March 2020

Roppongi Hills Fashion 2020 Spring / Posters

March 2020

BaSara / Book

February 2020

BaSara / Exhibition

February 2020

LUMINE, "IT'S NEW" WEEK / Space

January 2020

LUMINE, "IT'S NEW" WEEK / Posters

January 2020

TORI MATSUZAKA

December 2019

Roppongi Hills Fashion 2019 Spring / Book

September 2019

Roppongi Hills Fashion 2019 Autumn / Posters

September 2019

Roppongi Hills Fashion 2019 Spring / Space

September 2019

Roppongi Hills Fashion 2019 Autumn / Space

September 2019

Roppongi Hills Fashion 2019 Autumn / Book

September 2019

Kiku ningyo

March 2019

bloomify

March 2019

AKIKO YANO, Futaribocchi de Ikou

March 2019

headlight

November 2018

Ginza Motoji

October 2018

JOSEPH 2018AW

October 2018

MIKIYA TAKIMOTO, colors

September 2018

AKIKO YANO TRIO

August 2018

THE YELLOW MONKEY, Ladybug

August 2018

Akinori Ito, unreleased

July 2018

Suguru Takeuchi, Nichijo ni arazu

July 2018

SOUND & VISION X Presents MAN WITH A MISSION “Chasing the Horizon” Special Live / Posters

June 2018

MASAKI SUDA, PLAY

March 2018

Hit utsumade bokutachiha shinenai

March 2018

MIKIYA TAKIMOTO, X OVER / Graphics

February 2018

MIKIYA TAKIMOTO, X OVER / Exhibition

February 2018

JOSEPH SPORT

February 2018

LAFORET GRAND BAZAR / Sketch

January 2018

LAFORET GRAND BAZAR / Graphics

January 2018

SHUDANKODO, jubunmirai

January 2018

Seirei no moribito / Sketch

October 2017

Seirei no moribito / Graphics 

October 2017

Ginza Motoji 2017AW

October 2017

JOSEPH / Sketch

October 2017

JOSEPH / Posters

October 2017

GINZA, BLACK BY MOUSSY / Graphics 

August 2017

PIEBOOKS / Posters

August 2017

PIEBOOKS / Book

August 2017

GINZA, BLACK BY MOUSSY / Sketch

August 2017

will work for books / T-shirt

July 2017

will work for books / Graphics 

July 2017

RADWIMPS / Graphics

May 2017

SHUDANKODO, homing you

May 2017

JOSEPH / Sketch

April 2017

JOSEPH / Graphics

April 2017

JOSEPH / Book

April 2017

Yuji Hamada, Broken Chord

April 2017

NATSUME MITO, NATSUMELO

March 2017

SAFE CAKE PROJECT

January 2017

MIKIYA TAKIMOTO NEW YEAR CARD

January 2017

LAFORET GRAND BAZAR / Sketch

January 2017

LAFORET GRAND BAZAR / Advertising

January 2017

LAFORET GRAND BAZAR / Polaroid

January 2017

LAFORET GRAND BAZAR / Graphics

January 2016

F3

January 2017

TARO HORIUCHI

October 2016

MATEIRA / Exhibition

August 2016

MATERIA / Graphics

August 2016

NAGATORO et GALET / Book

June 2016

NAGATORO et GALET / Posters

June 2016

Damaged Pryke

July 2016

NAGATORO et GALET / Logo

June 2016

Pryke

June 2016

百けん

February 2016

TARO HORIUCHI

February 2016

FLOWER PAD

February 2016

MdN DESIGNERS FILE

January 2016

LAFORET GRAND BAZAR

January 2016

LAFORET CHRISTMAS / Posters

December 2015

LAFORET PRIVATE PARTY

December 2015

LAFORET CHRISTMAS / Entrance Design

December 2015

LAFORET CHRISTMAS / Sketch

December 2015

TARO HORIUCHI

October 2015

ANDELI / Posters

August 2015

NAGATORO VALLEY FESTIVAL

October 2015

ANDELI / Logo

August 2015

niganiku, Keep Standing

June 2015

FRANCK MULLER

May 2015

LAFORET GRAND BAZAR / CM

January 2015

LAFORET GRAND BAZAR / Sketch

January 2014

LAFORET GRAND BAZAR / Graphics

January 2015

NAGATORO et GALET / Posters

December 2014

 NAGATORO et GALET / Book

December 2014

NAGATORO et GALET / Graphics

December 2014

NAGATORO et GALET / Logo

December 2014

Kii / Stationeries

October 2014

Kii / Logo

October 2014

FINAL HOME on air

June 2014

REVERSO

April 2014

32 PRESTON HOUSE

April 2014

KATAKURI NO SATO / Flyers

February 2014

KATAKURI NO SATO / Postcard

February 2014

KATAKURI NO SATO / Book

February 2014

WALL Harajuku

July 2014

LAFORET GRAND BAZAR / Advertising

January 2015

WALL Harajuku Reopen / Poster

January 2014

SIX First Anniversary Posters

January 2014

SIX First Anniversary DM

January 2014

LAFORET SPECIAL PRICE

June 2013

Laforet Private party 2013 AW

June 2013