Graphic Designer and Illustrator | Osamu Goods
Osamu Harada and Mister Donut
Osamu Harada, better known as Osamu Goods, designed the collectable merchandise for Mister Donut 🍩 His work reminds me of the many fun filled trips made to the donut store with my Nana in the 80s and 90s. We'd "have to" eat a couple of donuts each per sitting to collect enough points for whatever merch was being given away at the time, usually cute tote bags or mug cup
Harada Studied Design in Japan and Illustration in America
After graduating from university where he studied graphic design, Harada moved to America to study illustration. This is the reason his art feels like a merge of Japanese manga and American pop art styles.
Character Goods in Japanese Marketing
Collectable items featuring cute characters feature heavily in Japanese marketing and advertising campaigns. Another great example is Papipu Penguins for Suntory beer.
In 2020, Mister Donut celebrated their 20 year anniversary by releasing an eco tote bag with the classic Osamu Harada design. Apparently the re-release of Osamu goods 4 years after his passing was because of public demand. Harada passed away in 2016 but his truly iconic work is still adored by many.
Welcome!
Welcome to the Japanese Design Club! Leave me a comment if you are a fellow Japanese art and design enthusiast - I’d love to hear about your favourite Japanese Artists and Designers :)
All articles are by Natalie Ex
Let’s keep in touch! Visit the Japanese Design Club Instagram page