DNP, Dai Nippon Printing, relocates to new Tokyo HQ

When planning its new head office in Tokyo, DNP turned to Kontrapunkt to design and implement a completely new interior look and come up with an innovative new entrance monument for the new building - a process that involved a complete transformation of the signage system that now forms an integral part of DNP’s impressive new headquarters.

THE MONUMENT

The focal point of the entrance monument are the three letters DNP in reverse, signifying typesetters’ traditional printing methods since the invention of single metal type - a highly adaptable printing technique that enabled mass production and revolutionised communication, and a direct reference to DNP’s long and proud history as a printing company.

Newer and more sophisticated printing techniques are of course available today, but DNP remains faithful to its history by constantly adapting its business to other areas of communication.

WORKING IN JAPAN

The entrance monument, formed out of black granite, actually appears to be dark grey, thereby sharing an affinity with the lead traditionally used for metal type. When wet the monument changes character and appears black - just as lead changes colour when ink is applied.

Entrance monuments are traditionally of great importance, not least so in Japan, and Kontrapunkt is proud that this is one of the first times ever that a company outside Japan has been assigned such a prestigious task.

INTERIOR BRANDING

As part of the new concept, Kontrapunkt has also designed all interior signage of the new building that houses 23 floors of offices, meeting facilities and auditoriums as well a gallery, cafeteria and restaurant.

At the arrival area and key locations around elevators, the signs serve the dual purpose of combining resting places with an overview plan. All major signage incorporates the three dimensional DNP log.

As a part of the interior branding project, a custom made typeface was developed and also a family of pictograms.

THE KONTRAPUNKT AND DNP HISTORY

As a global business, DNP is one of the world’s largest print companies with more than 40.000 employees. Kontrapunkt and DNP have collaborated since 2000 when the Kontrapunkt travelling exhibition, ‘The Crowning Touch’, was on show at the GGG Gallery in Tokyo and the DDD Gallery in Osaka – both owned by DNP.

August 2006