Even for Hara Kenya, the renowned master of Japanese graphic design, there was once a time when he was just a fledgling designer. Steal the Poster offers an intimate glimpse into those formative years and beyond, capturing 15 years of relentless creativity and introspection.
Originally published in 1995, this essay collection gathers 50 pieces Hara wrote for the monthly magazine Shosetsu Shincho between 1991 and 1994. Reflecting on his journey, Hara writes, “I see my intellectual and creative peak arriving around age 65, leaving the next 15 years as a space for growth and reflection. This book is not only a record of my past but also a whip to spur me forward into the future.”
Hara describes this period as a meaningful ‘gap’—a time to look back on his work and focus deeply on the essence of design. The essays reveal a designer grappling with the creative process, revisiting past projects, and contemplating the role of design in a broader cultural and philosophical context.
Steal the Poster is more than a memoir; it’s an inspiring dialogue between the present and the past, rich with lessons for aspiring designers and anyone intrigued by the mind of a true creative visionary.