£22.00
White
By Kenya Hara
Exploring the essence of ‘white’ – emptiness and the absolute void – this book offers a personal insight into the philosophy of designer and author of Designing Design, Kenya Hara.
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White is not a book about colours. It is rather Kenya Hara’s attempt to explore the essence of white, which he sees as being closely related to the origin of Japanese aesthetics – symbolising simplicity and subtlety. The central concepts discussed by Kenya Hara in this publication are emptiness and the absolute void. Kenya Hara also sees his work as a designer as a form of communication. Good communication has the distinction of being able to listen to each other, rather than to press one’s opinion onto the opponent. Kenya Hara compares this form of communication with an ‘empty container’. In visual communication, there are equally signals whose signification is limited, as well as signals or symbols such as the cross or the red circle on the Japanese flag, which – like an ‘empty container’ – permit every signification and do not limit imagination. Not alone the fact that the Japanese character for white forms a radical of the character for emptiness has prompted him the closely associate the colour white with emptiness.
“We already know that things aren’t always black or white, this books tells us why.”
– TL Magazine
Born in 1958, Kenya Hara is considered the most influential designer of present-day Japan. After graduating in design from the Musashino Art University of Kodaira in 1983, he worked as a curator and graphic designer before taking on the role of art director at Muji in 2002. Hara is president of the Nippon Design Center Inc., and head of the department of Science of Design at Musashino Art University. He has published widely on his design theory, including the books “Designing Design” (2007), “White” (2009), “Designing Japan” (2018), and “100 Whites” (2019).
Lars Müller Publishers
Lars Müller Publishers, a renowned publishing house based in Zurich, Switzerland, has become a leading name in the world of architecture, design, photography, and contemporary art publications. Founded in 1983 by Lars Müller, a graphic designer with a deep passion for books, the publishing house is known for its carefully curated, visually compelling works that explore the intersections of art, design, and society.
Müller’s journey into publishing began with a desire to create books that were not only visually stunning but also deeply meaningful. Born in Oslo in 1955, Müller moved to Switzerland in 1963, where he trained as a graphic designer in Zurich. His early career took him to Amsterdam, where he worked alongside the legendary designer Wim Crouwel. Inspired by his mentor and influenced by his experiences, Müller founded his own studio, Integral Lars Müller, in 1982. A year later, he published his first book, marking the beginning of Lars Müller Publishers.
Since its inception, the publishing house has produced over 600 titles, reflecting Müller’s personal interests and his commitment to high-quality content. “I despise well-designed books with weak content,” Müller explains, emphasising his focus on books that combine strong visual elements with substantive, thought-provoking material. His dedication to both form and content has earned the publishing house international recognition.
Lars Müller Publishers is unique in its approach, acting as a ‘school of seeing’ by offering a curated selection of books that distill the overwhelming visual world around us. Müller’s triple role as publisher, editor, and designer allows him to shape each book from its initial concept to its final production, ensuring a cohesive and thoughtful presentation. This hands-on approach, coupled with Müller’s insistence on working closely with authors and artists, has helped establish the publishing house as a leader in independent publishing.
Despite the challenges of the book industry, Lars Müller Publishers has thrived by adhering to Müller’s guiding principles: producing books with enduring value, focusing on topics that personally interest him, and maintaining a small, independent operation. The publishing house is supported by the Swiss Federal Office for Culture, which recognises its contribution to Switzerland’s cultural landscape.
Müller’s impact extends beyond publishing. As an educator, he has taught at universities across Europe, the USA, and Japan, sharing his expertise and passion for design. His influence is also felt through his participation in academic and design juries, including his role as international president of the Alliance Graphique Internationale from 2013 to 2015.
Today, Lars Müller Publishers continues to push the boundaries of visual and intellectual publishing, presenting works that not only document historical developments but also engage with contemporary phenomena. Through its publications, the house remains dedicated to carrying Swiss culture out into the world while bringing global perspectives into Switzerland.
As the publishing house approaches its 44th anniversary in 2027, Müller reflects on the journey with a sense of pride and anticipation. “I look forward to celebrating the four decades of independent publishing,” he says, “and continuing to draw attention to the work we do, sharing it with a discerning and appreciative audience.“
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