Illustration and mascot design differences between Japan and Europe
I realized that there are design differences between Japan and Europe.
Of course, there are a lot of different design styles.
Some designs might be similar in style between Japan and Europe.
This time, I would like to write about tendencies of package design with illustration in Europe compared to Japan.
In general, design is followed by concept and target.
In my opinion, Japanese illustration is usually cute and adorable even if it’s not for children.
Mascot illustration doesn’t mean not only for children but adults in Japan.
Many adults own stationaries, fashion goods and sweet products with mascots or cute illustrations on the product in Japan.
In Europe, it is quite rare to find a product with mascot or cute illustration on it for adults.
People in Europe think mascots and illustration are basically for children.
I found a funny, cute and strange mascot design for me on a package in Germany.
Remlofect Halspastillen by Abanta Pharma GmbH
The frog looks realistic.
It is menthol gummy to make your throat clear.
This bunny drawing came with baby milk.
It is not adorable enough for me. I feel something is strange.
Hipp GmbH is baby milk, food and body care company.
Heisse Hexe by Xenofit GmbH
I think it has a few kinds of drawing style on one package.
I got this as sample. I put this in hot water and it tasted good.
I can see the illustration design with clear and thick lines.
Those kinds of illustration designs exist in Japan as well
but I would say that they are typical illustration design styles in Europe.
Penaten by Johnson & Johnson
Personally, I like Penaten’s package design.
First, color choice is cool and the small sheep on the package is cute.
This Penaten package design is winter version.
Penaten is baby body care. I have bought it as a gift to my friend.
I sometimes use Penaten oil to my body and it makes my skin smooth.
Milka chocolate
The bunny is very European design and Milka’s symbol color purple is challenging color for me.
I do not know any products with purple as a symbol color except Milka.
This Milka bunny chocolate by Switzerland chocolate company is for Easter.
Pom-Bear (Pom-Bär) by Intersnack
The bear reminds me Haribo bear because of bear plus yellow color.
I feel the illustration is European style especially the eyes, tongue, fingers, long arms and legs.
By the way, Milka and Hipp products are well known in Japan.
You can buy Milka chocolate at Kaldi shops or online shops in Japan.
There are many kinds of import products at Kaldi.
In general, European mascots look unique and strange to me.
German, Russian, Italian, Spanish or English letters look cool.
I daily see Japanese letters when I’m in Japan.
That’s why I don’t think Japanese letters are not so special for me anymore.
If the letter is not familiar with you, you might feel it’s cool and special because you are not used to seeing the letters.
On the other hand, some European or American people might be thinking Japanese or Chinese letters like Kanji are cool.
I have seen many people having tattoos with Kanji on their body.
Here is a typical Japanese style of illustration design I think on packages.
This design is special version of Pikachu.
I can see that the parts of a mascot’s face position are made to look cute.
It is gummy candy and the company Kanro Inc. produces sweet products.
This tissue’s concept is Japanese style.
As you can see, the drawing style is very relaxed.
It is a tissue I found at a 100 yen shop Seria in Japan.
The product is by Kyowa Shiko Co., Ltd.
There are a lot of 100 yen shops in Japan and they sell tons of kind of products costs 100 yen with good quality.
I miss 100 yen shops in Japan.
Premium beans WONDA
This design is special version by Manga artist Monkey Punch.
I like the combination of the coffee product and the manga illustration.
The lady is Fujiko Mine from series Lupin III.
It is Japanese coffee by Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd.
I would say that Japanese illustration design is like cartoon style and European is more realistic style than Japanese one.
It often happens campaigns in Japan that the company and Manga or Anime character collaborates.
After all, I like both European and Japanese illustration design style.