graphic designer
graphic designer
Eisa Champroo is an Okinawan Eisa dance and performance group based in Sydney.
Eisa is a drum dance from the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa. It is commonly performed in festivals, events and general celebrations. The contagious rhythm, the energy of the performers and the typical costumes are the main characteristics of their performances.
Champroo means “mixture” in Okinawan dialect. For the group, it means bringing people from different cultures together through Eisa dancing and music. A little secret (not really) is that it can also be associated with “champ + roo”.
The challenge was to make sure the logo would show where Eisa Champroo comes from, but bring a modern twist to it, as the group is part of a newer generation of eisa, that mixes the classic folk songs with contemporary rhythms.
The solution was to reinterpret the traditional Japanese elements, mixing with Australian references and finding the unique personality that only Eisa Champroo has.
Shape:
I’ve started exploring shapes based on the mitsudomoe, a symbol that has three comma-like swirls, used to represent the Japanese drum. To make it more Eisa-Champrooish, I’ve used the trio of kangaroos that represents Australia in an eisa context.
Stylisation:
Through Eisa Champroo performances, I saw the energy and passion they bring together as a group. To represent that visually, I’ve used brushstroke, a style Japan has a strong background on, that showcases art and emotion.
Colours:
Okinawa has beautiful and bright colours wherever you go, especially in nature. It’s the most welcoming and colourful prefecture in Japan. So the vibrant mustard and purple were inspired by Okinawa’s signature fabric prints called bingata, which is often used for the performance costumes.