kazumasa nagai poster

Asahi Steinie, 1965

At the age of 85, graphic designer Kazumasa Nagai may be slowing down but his career is certainly not. If anything, it’s been picking up over the last 12 months. At a large retrospective of his work last year the fashion designer Issey Miyake was inspired to create a line of clothing based on his designs. Then, an even larger exhibition was held this year featuring an astounding 475 posters he created during his 57-year career. (“There must be roughly double this,” he remarked at the exhibition, referring to his entire body of work.)

kazumasa nagai poster

Growth – Life Science Library, 1966

The designer, who continues to shun technology and work entirely by hand, now has a new book out titled “Nagai Kazumasa Poster Life: 1957-2014.” To commemorate, here’s a rather exhaustive look at some of the gorgeous posters he created in 60s and 70s.

kazumasa nagai poster

Toshiba IC, 1967

kazumasa nagai poster

The Mind – Life Science Library, 1965

kazumasa nagai poster

We Clean Smokers (Poster for Prince Lighters), 1975

kazumasa nagai poster

Kazumasa Nagai Exhibition, 1968

kazumasa nagai poster

Korakuen Jumbo Pool, 1973

kazumasa nagai poster

Kazumasa Nagai Exhibition, 1968

kazumasa nagai poster

Cat and Mouse, 1969

kazumasa nagai poster

gq, 1974

kazumasa nagai poster

Lilycolor, 1974

kazumasa nagai poster

Kazumasa Nagai Exhibition, 1975

kazumasa nagai poster

Adonis, 1976

kazumasa nagai poster

No More War, 1970

kazumasa-nagai (15)

Japan, 1988

kazumasa-nagai (16)

Life, 2000