Japan Tribute

Japan Tribute

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A massive 8.9-magnitude quake hit northeast Japan on Friday, causing dozens of deaths, more than 80 fires, and a 10-meter (33-ft) tsunami along parts of the country’s coastline.

In response, I created a small tribute piece which I shared on Dribbble and soon after on Twitter. I found it humbling to see people changing their Facebook & Twitter profile pictures to this image to show their support. I thought I would officially share the image & source here for people to use as they wish.

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You can use the JPG below (right click on the image and click ‘Save As’) or you can download the EPS or PDF Poster.

Update 15/3/11: USD$13,000+ raised via SecondLife.

It is great to see people using this artwork to help raise funds for Japan. I thought it was worth noting here that people are buying virtual goods (t-shirts, tattoos, etc.) with this design on it as an innovative way to raise funds for Japan. Since launching they have raised over USD$13,000! Thanks to Damara of 90Degrees for organising this! More information here.

Update 28/3/11: CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0)

This image is released under the CC0 1.0 Universal License.

Japan Tribute

Thank you and my condolences for all affected by this disaster.

About Jacob Cass

Jacob Cass is a brand designer & strategist, educator, podcaster, business coach and the founder of JUST Creative, an award-winning branding & design consultancy that doubles as an industry-leading blog. Get in touch.

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48 thoughts on “Japan Tribute”

  4. Jacob, this is truly beautiful and so inspiring.

    I’ve never been moved like that by a logo…

  9. This is so simple and poignant. Thanks for sharing.

    On a unrelated note, I’ve been meaning to post you a great resource to get ready for your presentation. It’s a genius book called Resonate by Nancy Duarte (of the firm by the same name that creates killer presentations for TED speakers) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0470632011

    If you can’t get the book in time, at least take a look at her blog http://blog.duarte.com/2011/03/nancy%E2%80%99s-talk-from-tedxeast-you-can-change-the-world and she would be the one to ask all your pressing presentation questions!

    Best of luck with your speaking,

    Olga
    @ohsodesign

  17. Thanks a lot Jacob.

    You have given your share in communicating your feelings towards Japan.
    I have shared this art by sharing your link on my blog.
    Its a terrible feeling for everyone on this planet. And I hope everyone will stand and join hands for saving ‘our’ planet.
    Great Work.

  21. Hi Jacob, thanks for making such a wonderful tribute. It shows where your heart is and it is really wonderful. Have a blessed day.

  22. Excellent design. It is very thoughtful of designer like you to tribute those who affected by this disaster. Let us all do the same and wish for their safety living.

  23. Hi Jacob! I’ve used the image on my fb profile! It’s simple but so expressive…! Beautiful!

  26. This is a really nice thing that you did. I’m watching CNN as I type, and everything that is going there is very traumatic, especially with the nuclear plant. I am really sorry for the people of Japan, and will be donating as much as I possibly can.

  27. Hi Jacob, that is a great image… which inspired me to create my own version, also free to download and to be used for rising awareness about the disaster in Japan.

    [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/5522298339/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5012/5522298339_7f63ef76a1.jpg[/img][/url]
    [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/5522298339/]Help Japan[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/[email protected]/]MadBulldog[/url], on Flickr

  32. Nice image Jacob – like all our thoughts and prayers go out to all those that have been effected by the quake and those who have lost loved ones.

    Gods peace be on Japan.

  33. Jacob, I’m sorry, I can’t find any beauty, or grace in creating this icon, even with the best of intentions one might have, in the middle of all that’s lost, and will be lost in the coming decades with the spreading nuclear contamination.

    I’m not yet ready to associate such a disaster with any form of artistic beauty.

    As you know it very well, in the end this will work on your commercial benefit as you get more publicity and you’ll be proud that you did this. That sort of sickens me.

    Would this contribute to the efforts of collecting aid? Maybe… But really? Do we really need to see this to extend a helping hand? I don’t think so.

    Maybe I’m not seeing your intentions purely, as my vision is blurred with the tragedy.

  34. Thank you all for your comments, designs and support.

    M. Takahard,
    Thanks for sharing your opinions. My intentions are pure and it was designed as a way to show my feelings towards the tragedy that has happened. After sharing my design, it proved to move people and I felt that sharing the design for free would be beneficial in gaining support for Japan. There is no commercial motives behind this which is why I have released it for free, and without asking for credit. I personally think it’s great to see so many people using this image as a way to help support & aid Japan. I apologise if I have offended you by doing this.

  35. Jacob, your design is simple and moving, and yes, I used it for my local Rotary Club who is collecting money to purchase ShelterBox units that can provide shelter, cooking supplies and tools for up to 10 people per unit. To find out more about ShelterBox check out http://www.shelterbox.org. We hope your design will help people donate to help. Thanks, Tim

  36. This whole thing is crazy! First the flood in Australia, then the quake in Christchurch and now this! It’s getting quite scary!

    I wish Japan the best of luck recovering from this disaster!

  37. Jacob

    Let me just say first of all, your contributing logo is very inspiring and the conception behind your work is understandable.

    Although I have to agree with M. Takahara’s perspective, at least I’m not infuriated here like I was on Abduzeedo’s blog. It’s not the people being inspired to create their art and get others to see it that retorts me but it’s the fact that they are selling their art for Japan’s sake. I do not agree with this because I don’t believe every designer out there is in legal terms of any legitimate aiding organization. It seems every hour, designers are popping up to give their version a price tag and expect someone like me to believe my money is going in the hands of Japan rather then their own pockets. I apologize for drama but it had to be said. I’m just glad you didn’t do the same thing.

  41. We are speechless concerning Japan and have come to the point where words lack in meaning and strength to express our thoughts and feelings.
    Therefore you can contribute to the ‘Wordless Appeal’ by expressing your thoughts and emotions in any form BUT words. You can use any form of expression – whether
    music or arts – and post it as a video response to this video.

    Those of you who have no YouTube account but have the opportunity to upload a video elsewhere are welcome to send us the link which will be listed in this info box via [email protected] . It’s important not to use any words and just go straight ahead and improvise if you begin to create.

    Here is the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_gOPei1cfA

    We hope that this wordless appeal can give Japan our deepest condolences and sympathies.

  45. @Mr. Cass:

    That’s a great design, but I think you forgot to release it with a Public Domain License as this one.

    http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

    It would wipe away any kind of misunderstanding.

    @Takahara-sama:

    IMFO, Jacob’s work is a great work. It transmits a lot about actual Japan’s situation.

    If somebody uses it to raise funds for helping Japan, it could be a VERY POWERFUL tool.

    Many people in these times is as apathetic that needs to see raw things to get back in theirselves.

    And that’s what red color transmits. Alert (to save), blood(lives), danger (people in).

    Hope it would help to clear up things. Meow.

  47. My friend and I have started a project called “With Love to Japan” .

    In this project, we are collecting beautiful photos of the Tohoku region to pay tribue to the beautiful places in Japan which are affected by the tsunami and earthquake. We hope people wil remember the beauty of the Tohoku region and our project will create a legacy for that beauty.

    Please visit us. Thank you.

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