Sophie Chao

2025

“In 1951 Isamu Noguchi visited the town of Gifu, Japan, known for its manufacture of lanterns and umbrellas from mulberry bark paper and bamboo. Noguchi designed the first of his lamps that would be produced by the traditional Gifu methods of construction. He called these works Akari, a term meaning light as illumination, but also implying the idea of weightlessness.”

This pamphlet showcases the current Noguchi lantern collection, naming each design and organizing them by their ideal placement within the home. The layout is simple and understated, echoing the warm color palette characteristic of Noguchi’s classic design system. Earthy tones, elegant serif typography, and fine line detailing are used throughout, creating a cohesive and timeless aesthetic that complements the lanterns’ organic forms. I’ve always admired Noguchi’s ability to merge sculpture, light, and space into objects that feel both functional and poetic, which inspired me to pursue this as a passion project.