“Kanji City” is a film piece that portrays the landscape with Kanji, a Chinese character. The City of Kyoto is shown with 16 Kanji animations, each of which symbolizes a tree, river, temple, or gate, among others. This was created exclusively as one of the programs offered by “COG,” a new form of indoor cycling exercise that features beautiful landscapes projected on a screen or iPad.
Working alongside a sports medical advisor and a medical doctor, I design animations that synchronize with the body movements of cycling. Considering the harmony between the body's actions and Kanji characters, I directed animations depicting the forms and motions of Kanji. This allows participants to engage in exercise while riding through the Kyoto landscape formed by Kanji characters. The animation showcases Kyoto, a city renowned for its tourism, using traditional Japanese typography, introducing it to an international audience. The animation has gained popularity overseas and made a buzz as well.
I was comprehensively involved as an art director/typographer, overseeing the conceptualization, motif selection, typography, motion design, and music for this 4-minute video experience.
