I am honoured to have worked on poster illustrations and merchandise design projects for Yokkaichi Jazz Festival in 2020 and 2021, one of the biggest events in my small hometown, Mie prefecture in Japan.

With a perspective of the future continuation of this annual festival that marked 9th this year, we set the main target of the poster as young generations in their 10-20s, to aim to raise their interest in jazz music and encourage participation in the local community.⁠

Those illustrations are created following the main festival theme ‘Give’ Em Swing’,  depicting the town of Yokkaichi become alive with music. it includes singing oil plant complex in Yokkaichi port while smokes out from chimneys, A young family dancing it away with uplifting music, and veteran musicians playing with confidence, and more.

Initially, this project started back in early 2020 for the October event before the pandemic hit. The project which was still an early stage then paused while seeing how the situation goes, until a decision of event cancellation has been announced. Then the event platform was moved to online and I finished the poster as ‘unfinished version’ for the online festival with a scope of officially finishing it in the next year’s event in the town, as well as with the hope of making it finally happen.

After a year in early 2021, the project was resumed even though the forecast of the situation remained unclear. However, another wave hit the region when we are on the final step of the completion, and our event organiser eventually made a bitter decision to cancel the event again, prioritising everyone’s safety first.

I⁠⁠ would like to express my deep regard for all event organisers and volunteer staff who get together with love for music and working hard toward the festival making happen.⁠⁠ For me, the experience once working as an illustrator and designer for my hometown in Japan will forever spot a light on my freelance career. I send all my gratitude for them to work with me!

Mockup Template by GraphicsFuel

Yokkaichi Jazz Festival