We are thrilled to announce that SPREAD has been awarded the Graphic Design of the Year in the Graphic Design category at the 2024 Dezeen Awards. The winning project is a series of cover artworks designed for Japan’s most historic architectural media, Journal of Architecture and Building Science, for its 2023 issues.

Each cover was created, not through digital compositing, but by physically constructing and photographing sets. The process involved attaching colors and mirrors to simple geometric forms that symbolized architecture, and arranging these elements within environments built using materials such as salt, faux fur, foam, and torn paper.

Amid the prevalence of digital composite imagery in the architectural field, SPREAD chose an analog approach. With the theme “Architecture as a mirror of society,” we aimed to spark readers’ curiosity and inspire excitement to explore this specialized journal through its cover designs.

The Dezeen Awards, organized by the UK-based global architecture and design magazine Dezeen, celebrate the world’s best in architecture, interiors, and design. This year, the awards received over 4,130 entries from 82 countries. SPREAD’s project was recognized for its visually striking compositions, vivid use of color, and a strong, cohesive graphic style supported by compelling narratives.

We would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to all collaborators and supporters who made this achievement possible.

Journal of Architecture and Building Science
As Japan’s most historic architectural media, the Journal of Architecture and Building Science was established in 1886 by the Architectural Institute of Japan. The Institute believes that architecture is a method of observing and reflecting society, and it strives to connect architecture with society and vice versa.
SPREAD took charge of the art direction and design for the full run of 24 issues during 2022 and 2023. For each issue, we created covers that abstractly reflected its theme, designed to inspire curiosity and engage readers while providing cohesive art direction for the publication.