Progressing Hand in Hand with Graphic Design
JAGDA, with a history accumulated through challenge and endeavor, is continuously expanding the possibility and outlook of graphic design.
JAGDA was launched in April 1978 with 705 members, which soon exceeded 1,000 in the same year. After becoming a public-interest corporation in 1984, JAGDA evolved into a graphic design organization representing Japan. However, not everything in the Association’s history has gone smoothly. While responding to actual social needs in accordance with economic trends and other temporal developments, we have evolved into an organization that is characterized by its members’ cutting-edge sensitivity. Our mission for the 21st century, an age requiring further advancements in design, is to expand the definition of “graphic design” and work toward creation of a new stage in its history.
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1978
Japan Graphic Designers Association (JAGDA) inaugural meeting
Yusaku Kamekura appointed president (active through June 1994)
Voluntary organization established August 26 with 705 members -
1979
Association with the Council of the Design Association of Japan and the National Health Insurance Union of Artists
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1980
JAGDA evolves into a nationwide organization
Permanent committee established -
1981
First yearbook (now titled Graphic Design in Japan / Rikuyosha) published
Joined the International Council of Graphic Design Associations (Icograda: now renamed as International Council of Design / ICoD) -
1982
JAGDA Computer Symposium launched
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1983
Establishment of the JAGDA New Designer Award
JAGDA Poster Exhibition launched and traveled nationwide, starting from Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
JAGDA Production Fee Standards handbook (including fee calculation and contract examples) published -
1984
Japan Graphic Designers Association Inc. (JAGDA) inaugural meeting as a corporate entity (April 2)
JAGDA One Day School launched -
1985
JAGDA session held at the Icograda Congress in Nice, France
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1986
Commissioned production of posters for the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ National Culture Festival
Series of related poster exhibitions starts (through 1999) -
1988
Establishment of the Japan Artistic Copyright Federation
Katzumie Masaru Award co-established by five organizations (JAGDA, Japanese Society for the Science of Design, Japan Design Committee, Tokyo Art Directors Club, Japan Industrial Designers’ Association) -
1989
Hosting of the Icograda-JAGDA Pan-Pacific Design Congress ’89
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1991
Association with Japan Reprographic Rights Center (now renamed as Japan Reproduction Rights Center)
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1993
JAGDA textbook “VISUAL DESIGN” published (5 volumes / through 1997, Rikuyosha)
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1994
Kazumasa Nagai appointed president (June 1994 to June 2000)
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1997
JAGDA appointed recommendation organ for the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ overseas internship program for emerging artists
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1999
Yusaku Kamekura Design Award established under the administration of JAGDA
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2000
Shigeo Fukuda appointed president (June 2000 to January 2009)
Cooperation on the Japan Foundation’s Discover Japan through Contemporary Posters Exhibition -
2002
FAQs on graphic designers’ copyrights published
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2003
Hosting of the Icograda Congress Nagoya, Japan and the International Graphic Design Fair 2003
Friends of JAGDA Program established -
2005
Who’s who online catalogue of members’ work launched
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2006
VISUALOGUE: the Book published (Sendenkaigi)
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2007
Tokyo Midtown Design Hub launched
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2009
Mitsuo Katsui appointed president (February 2009 to June 2012)
JAGDA Award established -
2010
JAGDA Vision formulated
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2012
Katsumi Asaba appointed president (June 2012 to June 2018)
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2015
JAGDA Student Grand Prix established
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2018
Taku Satoh appointed president (June 2018 to June 2024)
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2021
Renamed as Japan Graphic Design Association Inc.
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2024
Kazafumi Nagai appointed president in June