Designing between two languages and traditions, with Keita Takemura

Keita Takemura saw the Latin alphabet as shapes long before he read it as language, and that way of seeing still runs through the work of his London-based design studio. Trained in visual communication in Japan and now working for clients across his homeland, France, Italy and the US, Takemura builds identities, posters and print around typography – with work recognised by ISTD, ADC, and the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. He has designed in open homage to Hofmann, Radl and Yokoo, and designed a calendar you have to slow down to read. In our conversation, Takemura discusses the rhythm Japanese typesetting taught him, the collaborative practice he co-founded with architects and lighting designers in Tokyo, why he shares his references openly, and why clarity isn’t always necessary. TBI: Hi Keita! How are you doing? KT: I’m good, thanks! We’ve just launched our new website, and one of my collaborators is visiting the studio from Japan, so it feels like a good moment. Excited to be stepping into a new chapter for the studio.