monet fukawa
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LAST UPDATED - AUGUST 2023
IISE
VISUAL IDENTITY
EXCETERA
https://iise.co/
With the team, I worked on the full rebrand for IISE, including reimagined logos / design language, lookbook, film, content, packaging design, website, and more. Between Seoul and NY, we crafted a new reality of implied narratives to contextualize the rich new world of IISE.
the tree wanders and so do I
EXPERIMENTAL, EDITORIAL, MOTION
RISD DEGREE PROJECT 2023
ADVISED BY NANCY SKOLOS
My interest in the relationship between humans and nature was passed down to me through my Shinto heritage. Throughout my childhood, my grandmother and mother taught me to recognize the presence of life in all things, appreciate that which sustains us, and encouraged me to develop a caring relationship with trees, rocks, and everything in between.
The tree wanders and so do I began as a project for me to better understand my inclination towards deep human-nature relationships. As I went through the process, however, I found myself attempting to intellectualize this natural understanding in order to present a single answer. What I have compiled here is my nonlinear exploration of this topic, in which I wander between my gut feelings and rationalization through theory. Through this, I have learned to trust my natural knowledge in that which is beyond rational understanding.
sort later
EXHIBITION IDENTITY
FEBRUARY 24-28, 2023
WOODS-GERRY GALLERY, PROVIDENCE, RI
Design is a form of sorting. The designer takes disparate elements and strings them together; remixed and recombined. Charged with the unending task of forging new connections, the designer tediously aligns type to page, gathers content for books, and compiles assets for websites. Sorting becomes a way to retain control. It implies a tangible end to the process. So often, each design decision leads to some envisioned ‘end.’ Sort Later is about letting go of ideas of finality and instead celebrating the work in progress, the liminal, and the unanswered. The exhibition is a celebration of excess, community, and growth. [Curatorial Statement]
Worked on the exhibition design, production and project management for the RISD Graphic Design 2023 senior show.
Credits: Max Beidler, Iris Cho, Matthew Cuschieri, Sharlene Deng, Jingyu Feng, Monet Fukawa, Anita Huang, Mio Kosaka, Nate Krohn, Truman Lesak, Amy Lim, Valia Liu, Wayne Luan, Nistha Nanda, Emma Noel, Maxton O’Connor, Jessica Perkins, Anmol Govinda Rao, Sofia Santana, Yasemin Sarihan, Henry Spuria, Iris Xie, Ashley Yae, Karen Zhou, Alex Zhu.
Documentation: Mizuki Hanada, Emma Noel, Woods Gerry Staff
Video direction: Truman Lesak
TRSH GRLS
EXHIBITION, IDENTITY, EDITORIAL, TYPE DESIGN
2022
Collaborated project with Sharlene Deng and Mio Kosaka
The TRSH GRLS are a fictional group of feminists who are heavily influenced by previous feminist groups, such as the Riot grrrls and Guerrilla Girls. They are focused on fighting against issues of sexism, inequality, and violence against women in a dystopian world that is not far off from our own. The TRSH GRLS use technology and science as a way to claim their territory and gain power and authority in a society where they are often mistreated and disadvantaged. The project is inspired by Elizabeth Broeder's manifesto, TRASHGiRRRRLLLZZZ: A Manifesto for Misfit ToYZ, which discusses topics such as abortion, poverty, wealth disparity, and violence against women. The TRSH GRLS aim to bring attention to these issues through a series of artifacts that they have created. In an effort to start a conversation about gender and politics, we hope to imagine a world where the TRSH GRLS can fight back against their own oppressive government.
befriending things
EDITORIAL2022
Befriending Things is a collection of stories, writings, and imagery that relate to Neo-animism. It is a way of living that recognizes “the world is full of persons, only some of whom are human, and that life is always lived in relationship to others. Animism is lived out in various ways that are all about learning to act respectfully (carefully and constructively) towards and among other persons” (Graham Harvey).
between the before and after
EDITORIAL
2022
A publication and designed editorial spreads based on an interview I conducted with Kota Iguchi, a Japanese motion director and creative director. The questions and responses craft into a compelling story that represent his work, process and experience in the design world.