STEVE NAKAMURA — creative director, art director INFO
 


"You can tell who a person is, by looking at their bookshelf." IKEA wanted to create a connection between their storage products and the people. So instead of talking about the shelves, we talked about the things people put inside of it. NIKE x GIANTS – Brand identity. Japan’s most iconic sports team joins forces with the world’s biggest sports brand to redefine Tokyo. A day before the season opener, the campaign launched in the Yomiuri newspaper: "Changing the world from Tokyo. No one realizes how big this is going to be." GIANTS opening day: To celebrate the start of our 12-year partnership with NIKE x GIANTS, we set out to reshape the brand's narrative. "THINK GIGANTIC" introduces a new mindset that moves past traditional labels to redefine what it means to be a "GIANT" of today. In recent years, we've seen a decline in physical activity for kids. NIKE x GIANTS teamed up to launch "MOVE TYO", an annual sports day designed to get kids active. Guided by Nike trainers and Giants players, coaches, and the women’s team, participants gathered to learn and have fun. The event was held at the Tokyo Dome, celebrating the NIKE motto, "If you have a body, you’re an athlete." NIKE x GIANTS "MOVE TYO" – Brand identity LAFORET HARAJUKU — Annual main visual art direction 2015-19. The 4th annual art director of the iconic department store's 40 year history. Being at the epicenter of Harajuku, the campaigns represent the brand's creative voice and evolving spirit of Harajuku. To bring HP OMEN's philosophy to life, we partnered with T1 — the most credible E-sports team in the world. Their journey from humble beginnings to global dominance is a testament to the power of skill and perseverance. We also asked gamers to participate in the campaign by submitting their own rules of the game. The winners were voted in and selected by fellow gamers and fans. 5,018 submissions / +10,000 comments / +6.2M views / #1 in the Korean Gaming PC market. 2023 LEAGUE OF LEGENDS KOREA SPRING FINALS — T1 outperformed all expectations, not only winning the LCK 2022 spring title, but also becoming the first team in history to have an undefeated season. Proving that OMEN is the place where achievement is earned, not given.  Haruki Murakami "The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle" @Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre — Promo campaign. The main visuals explore the story's dual nature by showing the protagonist’s inner demons peering up from underneath. A representation of a world where reality and fiction coexist. Idea magazine published a special edition book of Steve Nakamura's artwork for pop icon, "KYARY PAMYU PAMYU ARTWORKS 2011-2016 STEVE NAKAMURA" Softcover, 257cm x 182cm, 272 pages. "Steve Nakamura has been committed to creating the originality of Kyary, and has produced an iconic visual expression that symbolizes our era." (idea magazine). One of the largest cultural sensations on the planet, Kyary is regarded as the pioneer of Harajuku-pop culture. Her fusion of the hyper-cute and wierd-grotestque, in her style, have led to superstars (incl. the likes of Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Ariana Grande) cite her as an influence. She redefined 'Japanese pop culture' by shattering the status quo — of who the modern Japanese girl "should be". "KYARY PAMYU PAMYU ARTWORK EXHIBITION 2011-2016 @LAFORET MUSEUM" A visual exhibition featuring the five year music artwork designed by STEVE NAKAMURA. It featured the process behind the artwork, including sketches, references, unreleased images, as well as costumes and wigs worn by Kyary herself. Nearly Eternal — Steve Nakamura & Norbert Schoerner. A photography book about fake food. Haunting, beautiful and slightly humorous, Nearly Eternal traces a fine line between reality and fiction. Negotiating different levels of artifice, the photographs challenge the assumed authenticity of the food book, inciting artificial desire in the viewer’s mind. Each photograph is a portrait of food in its perfect form – as display. Chance Publishing, imprint of Claire de Rouen Books (2016) Hardcover, 30cm x 28cm 104 pages Edition of 500 Printed in Japan “All man’s efforts are for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied.” (Ecclesiastes 6:7) Exhibition @Bookmarc Harajuku @NY Artbook Fair @Dashwood Books SEIKO Prospex — Rebranding campaign, 'Keep Going Forward'. A slogan dedicated to SEIKO watchmakers, athletes, explorers, and the many who dedicate their lives to move the world forward. NIKE — "I Dream" campaign Mitsubishi Electric — JAXA exhibition NIKE Basketball campaign — Featuring the superhero-like talents of Lebron James, Vince Carter, Tony Parker, and Dirk Nowitzki. When Noboru Nakamura, a Japanese product designer who worked with IKEA in the 1970's passed away on 18 April 2023, we created a visual to celebrate the man who designed one of the most iconic products in IKEA history, the POÄNG chair. To promote the opening for IKEA Maebashi, we targeted a demographic of young homeowners known for their family-oriented, "DIY" spirit. We developed the "Hej! Do IKEA Yourself" — a community-driven event where locals could customize selected IKEA products. The initiative was a massive success, fostering a deep sense of local connection and drawing three times the projected attendance. From 2014- The cover creative director for Time Out Tokyo. Focused on the research and visualization of new insights into Tokyo pop culture. Time Out Tokyo @Seibu Shibuya — 'Discover Tokyo' Exhibition. WWD "Is AI Good?" — We can now imagine and instantly create any fusion of style and setting. As AI slashes production barriers, the industry stands at a crossroads: is this a creative renaissance or a threat to the craft? Mickey Mouse 90th Anniversary X Steve Nakamura @Laforet Harajuku BOSE — Copy reads "Yes, I bought a car and a concert hall. This is the BOSE car audio system. A sound system tailor-made for your car..." PARCO Shibuya — 40th Anniversary Pierre Hermé — Illustration LAFORET HARAJUKU "GRAND BAZAR" — The project explores the process of design, capturing the moment ordinary elements like paper and styrofoam are reimagined as extraordinary couture. Cookieland @Laforet Harajuku Museum + @Shibuya Parco Museum — A project aimed to promote Tokyo pop culture with comedian Cookie! The idea reimagined original 90s photographs from Fruits magazine by super-imposing Cookie!’s head onto the original subjects. Peach John — Main visual + catalog Laneige feat. Sydney Sweeney Coca-Cola — Illustration msn — Motion CI Noitamina 'PUNCHLINE' — Brand Identity & visual campaign for popular cult anime series. Exploring the concept of "MODE IN MOTION," the LAFORET PAPER / SPRING is a curated guide to the current state of Tokyo fashion. Directed by Sayumi Gunji (Numero & Vogue Girl editor) and Steve Nakamura, the publication features range of brands and interviews with leading voices such as Toshiko Nakajima (Editor-in-Chief of GINZA magazine), Yuko Araki (Model and Actress), Kyun-kun (Robotics Fashion Creator), MIKIKO (Director and Choreographer)... LAFORET HARAJUKU — Annual tote bags 2015-19 LAFORET NIIGATA - "thank you" tote bag Tokyo Lolipunk — Creative direction for Japanese pop-up shop / fashion show in Honk Kong. Aimed to introduce up and coming Japanese brands to the Asian market e.g. CANDY, DISSBORN, CHRISTIAN DADA, BALMUNG, DOG, etc." SONY MUSIC KIDSTONE Produced by STEVE NAKAMURA — A year-long workshop introducing kids to art and technology. By using MESH™, Sony’s innovative IoT building blocks, students learn to bring their imaginative ideas to life through hands-on programming and design. PARISLA magazine WWD x YKK tie-up — Textiles/gloves design project.