I illustrated a map of Japan recently for the new luxury spirits brand ikigai collection, part of the BBC Spirits group. The maps helps inform the bar servers, when they get specialised training in the brand, about the topography of Japan, and where specific distilleries are. There’s a huge difference between snowy Hokkaido in the North and tropical Okinawa in the South!
My brother Kenji Jesse is a brand ambassador for the collection, through his company nomu consult, and it was wonderful to work on a project together. He takes the Japanese philosophy of life and infuses it into his personal brand.
I gave the map a Japanese flavour, using traditional patterns in the sea and border, but kept it contemporary and bright, to suit the new brand.
I love seeing how the map is used in situ!