Have your say and vote for your favorite in our global Facebook poll.
Designer nengajo: New Year cards with cachet
Nengajo are a not just a way to reconnect with family, friends and coworkers. They can also be a calling card for design work
Designer nengajo from Bob Foundation (left), Yuji Tokuda (center) and TNA Design Studio (right).Nengajo New Year greeting cards are a Japanese institution, so it was inevitable graphic design studios would go the extra mile creating "designer nengajo" -- post-card size works of art.
We particularly like this post from the blog Spoon & Tamago, which showcases some of the superior examples that arrived in their mailbox ahead of 2010.
While the obvious zodiac animal theme is there some designers chose to dispense with the furry friends and let their imaginations fly. (See the left and center examples in the top image.)
Since many New Year cards go to clients, the medium certainly has a promotional function, reminding decision-makers of the studio's artistic capabilities.
But even if the studio fails to close the deal, designer nengajo make a nice thing to have around the office or desk. Though not as valuable as a Hikonyan nengajo, their beauty is priceless.
