What is a Kensei?
Kensei means Sword Saint in Japanese. The Kensei were samurai who tried to go beyond merely perfecting there craft. They sought perfection in all they did, pursuing not only martial arts but creative arts as well.
These Kensei would also become painters, calligraphers, sculptures and craftsmen as well.
How Does this Apply to Design and Illustration
Design is not just a noun or an Idea. Design is a verb, it is an action,
Design is the process of visually stimulating someone in an attempt to affect their perception of the world around them. In most cases this is to make people look at a company or a product as if it was the first or even the only on that matters.
The design process applies to the layout of advertisement, and the layout of an office. It functions on the web and in boardroom. Even a well worded thank you letter shows that the company cares. Design is not an art it is a process.
Not many years ago there was a field of industry called advertising; Advertising like the kensei of old embraced all aspects of changing people’s minds. There was not just one media; all were used (print, television, radio, even word of mouth). In recent years Advertising has been divided into Graphic Design and Marketing.
The desire of Kensei Design is to not be limited by merely creating Illustrations, or Logos: but to be open to design in all of its varying forms.
Good design is obvious. Great design is transparent.
— Joe Sparano