Reissue of ‘The Birth of Form’ by Japanese Design Master Kohei Sugiura!
“This book shifts our perspective on visual culture to a broader, more comprehensive horizon—a new cultural discourse.”
— Book designer Jung Byung-kyu
Japanese graphic design master Sugiura Kohei’s The Birth of Form returns with the AG Classic ‘C’ edition, marking 22 years since its original publication and 18 years since the Korean edition’s debut. Widely regarded as a design, art, and architecture classic, the book reinterprets diverse Asian forms from a fresh perspective, expanding the boundaries of design into history, philosophy, and cosmology.
In this work, Sugiura explores form as a fusion of “structure” and “life,” blending encyclopedic knowledge with rich, poetic language and stunning illustrations, unveiling a new realm of imagery. Despite its two-decade legacy, the book remains a source of inspiration for designers, artists, and curious readers eager to explore the intersection of design and knowledge.
This reissue includes an afterword by essayist Matsuoka Seigo, providing readers with insights into Sugiura’s world and the enduring significance of his work. Additionally, the cover wrap and endpaper finishes, absent from the first Korean edition, are faithfully restored to reflect the original design, bringing readers even closer to Sugiura’s aesthetic vision.
