Join us for a special talk by Daikoku Daigo, curator of Japan House London’s exhibition Pictograms: Iconic Japanese Designs and head of the Nippon Design Center’s LA office. In this talk, Daikoku explores how the Experience Japan Pictograms project developed into the exhibition and reflects on the broader evolution of Japanese design through the lens of pictograms.
The exhibition presents Japan’s pioneering role in the evolution of pictograms from the groundbreaking sporting pictograms introduced at the Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games to the creation of the first emoji in 1999. It also highlights the Experience Japan Pictograms project, launched in 2019 by the renowned Nippon Design Center. This project aims to enhance the experience of international visitors to Japan through more than 600 newly devised symbols that visually convey aspects of life and culture in Japan.
The talk is followed by an opportunity for the audience to ask questions.
The exhibition Pictograms: Iconic Japanese Designs is on display in the Gallery at Japan House London from 30 July until 9 November 2025.
Please note that filming and photography may take place at this event. Photos and footage of the event may then be used to promote Japan House London, helping more people to discover what we offer. If you have any concerns, please contact us online or contact a member of the team on site.
About the Speaker
Daikoku Daigo is a graduate of the Kanazawa College of Art, one of the few public art schools in Japan. He began working at the Nippon Design Center (NDC) in 2003 and established Daikoku Design Institute in 2011. To successfully expand into global markets, he moved to Los Angeles in 2018. At NDC’s LA office (NDCLA), his vision is a global multidisciplinary design studio – one that aggregates diverse experiences and channels them into a holistic, intimate practice.
Daikoku acknowledges that technology has brought our world closer together but that, barriers still exist. He believes visual communication can help bridge the divide and create a higher social consciousness. Daikoku and his team focus on bringing ideas to life through simple, clear, and bold design, and the serendipity that occurs at the crossroads of culture. Daikoku serves on the board of directors at NDC in Tokyo and is involved with the company's strategic planning.
