TMD Journal Feidhm Phríomha: Iris by Tomohiro Kaji

TMD Journal Feidhm Phríomha: Iris by Tomohiro Kaji is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Duais Airgid A' Design Award in Dearadh Clóite Competition Category.

AirgeadCló· 2026

TMD Journal Feidhm Phríomha: Iris

by Tomohiro Kaji

Client: Tomodachi Ltd.

Duais Airgid A' Design Award Winner in Cló Category

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Colors

The Design

About TMD Journal Feidhm Phríomha: Iris

Téacs an Leabhair: Scrúdaíonn TMD Journal dearadh cló ní mar stíliú amhairc ach mar chóras struchtúrtha a eagraíonn brí. Mar fhreagra ar úsáid fhorleathan clónna digiteacha mar shócmhainní ar leibhéal dromchla, athlonnaíonn an foilseachán an clóghrafaíocht mar mheán chun smaoineamh agus cumarsáid a thógáil. Cuireann gach caibidil córas cló bunaidh i láthair trína réamhaltas coincheapúil, trína loighic struchtúrtha agus trína chomhthéacs feidhmeach, ag léiriú conas a aistríonn cinntí clóghrafaíochta go foirm agus úsáid. Soláthraíonn an iris creat chun cló a thuiscint mar chomhpháirt ghníomhach i mbrandáil agus i gcumarsáid.

The Recognition

About the Duais Airgid A' Design Award

Bhuaigh an dearadh TMD Journal Feidhm Phríomha: Iris Duais Airgid A' Design Award, aitheantas an-ghradamach a bhronntar ar dhearaí ardchaighdeáin, álainn agus drámatach. Is saothair thar a bheith drithleacha agus an-chruthaitheach iad buaiteoirí Airgid a léiríonn saineolas, tallann agus géarchúis shármhaith a ndearthóirí. Táthar ag súil go mbeidh an dearadh TMD Journal Feidhm Phríomha: Iris ina shaothar iontach, ina léiriú sampla, thar a bheith gairmiúil agus go domhain nuálach. Is aireagán an-suntasach, ionadmhuirthe é an dearadh seo a bhuaigh Duais Airgid A' Design Award a dhéanann leas do theorainneacha na healaíne, na heolaíochta, an deartha agus na teicneolaíochta agus a chuireann chun cinn iad. Is cruthú é an dearadh TMD Journal Feidhm Phríomha: Iris a bhfuil formad mór leis, a mhúsclaíonn mianta, a thugann mothúcháin dhearfacha agus a adhnann iontas agus ionadh.

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