TMD Journal Primêre Funksje: Tydskrift by Tomohiro Kaji

TMD Journal Primêre Funksje: Tydskrift by Tomohiro Kaji is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award yn Sulver in Print en Publisearre Media Ûntwerp Competition Category.

SulverPrint· 2026

TMD Journal Primêre Funksje: Tydskrift

by Tomohiro Kaji

Client: Tomodachi Ltd.

A' Design Award yn Sulver Winner in Print Category

21,105

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #182054

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About TMD Journal Primêre Funksje: Tydskrift

Book Tekst: TMD Journal ûndersiket typûntwerp net as fisuele styling mar as in strukturearre systeem dat betsjutting organisearret. As antwurd op it wiidferspraat gebrûk fan digitale lettertypen as oerflakkige middels, pleatst de publikaasje typografy op 'e nij as in medium foar it opbouwen fan tinken en kommunikaasje. Elk haadstik presintearret in orizjineel typsysteem troch syn konseptuele útgongspunt, strukturele logika en tapaste kontekst, en lit sjen hoe't typografyske besluten oersetten wurde nei foarm en gebrûk. It tydskrift biedt in ramt om type te begripen as in aktyf ûnderdiel yn branding en kommunikaasje.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award yn Sulver

TMD Journal Primêre Funksje: Tydskrift is in winner fan de A' Design Award yn Sulver, in bûtengewoan prestisjeuze erkenning foar topûntwerpen dy't prachtich en yndrukwekkend binne. Sulverwinners binne tige briljante en ekstreem kreative wurken dy't de treflike ekspertize, it talint en de skerpsinnigens fan har ûntwerpers yllustrearje. Fan TMD Journal Primêre Funksje: Tydskrift wurdt ferwachte dat it in prachtich foarbyldwurk is, opmerklik profesjoneel en djip ynnovatyf. Dit winnende ûntwerp fan de A' Design Award yn Sulver is in tige opfallende, bewûndere útfining dy't foardiel bringt en de grinzen fan keunst, wittenskip, ûntwerp en technology ferleget. TMD Journal Primêre Funksje: Tydskrift is in skepping dêr't breed oerjûn wurdt, dy't winsken wekker makket, positive gefoelens bringt en ferwûnderjen en fernuvering opwekket.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: TMD Journal positions typefaces as systems that organise meaning rather than visual styles. Each typeface is examined through its conceptual premise, structural logic and applied context within a unified publication.

By combining original type development with editorial analysis, the journal establishes a framework where typography is not presented as form, but understood as a system that shapes communication, identity and interpretation.
Dimensions & Packaging: 210 × 297 mm (A4)
52 pages
Tags: Typography, Editorial Design, Type Design, Print Publication, Typographic Research, Visual Communication, Branding System, Independent Publishing, Communication Design, Design Systems
Production Technology: The publication is constructed as a sequence of chapters, each dedicated to a distinct type system. The editorial structure follows a consistent progression from concept to structure to application.

This method translates abstract typographic ideas into a readable system, allowing relationships between design decisions and communication outcomes to become visible through use rather than explanation.
Design Challenge: The primary challenge was translating conceptual typographic research into a coherent editorial system. Typefaces informed by historical structures needed to function within a contemporary format while maintaining clarity and usability.

Balancing conceptual depth with readability required continuous iteration. Maintaining consistency across multiple type systems while preserving their individual logic was critical to achieving both coherence and distinction.
Research: Type of Research
Practice based research in typographic systems and communication design

Objective
To examine how typefaces construct meaning and function within branding and editorial contexts

Methodology
Comparative analysis of historical typography and experimental type development

Process and Tools
Archival references, typographic specimens and digital type design software

Outcome
A publication demonstrating how typographic structure influences communication

Impact
Provides a framework for integrating typography into branding systems
Inspiration: In the digital era, typefaces are increasingly consumed as visual surfaces detached from the ideas they were originally designed to express. Historically, typography functioned as a medium for structuring thought and communication.

This project begins with a question: can type operate again as a system that carries meaning rather than appearance. Drawing from typographic history and calligraphic traditions, TMD Journal reconsiders the role of type as an active structure within communication.
Project Duration: The typefaces were developed between March 2023 and September 2025. Editorial research and design were conducted in parallel.

The journal was completed and published in November 2025 in Kamakura, Japan.
Operation Flow: The journal is read sequentially through chapters, each focusing on a typeface. Readers move from conceptual explanation to structural breakdown and then to application examples.

This structure allows readers to actively understand how typographic decisions influence meaning, shifting the experience from passive viewing to analytical reading.
Team Members: Art Director: Tomohiro Kaji
Typeface Designer: Tomohiro Kaji
Book Designer: Tomohiro Kaji, Ivan Persoglia
Image Credits: Images: Tomodachi Ltd