Takashi Matsuda of 246 Graphics brings a painter’s intuition to the rigor of scientific inquiry, turning complex research into imagery that feels warm, curious, and surprisingly accessible. His winning posters for the Graphis Poster Awards 2026, The NIC - Non-equilibrium Interface Chemistry - and The Cicada - Functional Polymer Research - , invite viewers into scientific worlds that might otherwise feel distant, especially for children encountering these ideas for the first time. By listening closely to researchers and translating the emotional spark behind each discovery, Matsuda creates visuals that bridge imagination and understanding, setting the tone for the story that follows.

Written by Takashi Matsuda, 246 Graphics

Poster Works Expressing Scientific Research

This visual communication design project began when a researcher studying science at a university consulted us about creating promotional tools for a workshop. This workshop is held to let children experience the appeal of scientific research conducted at the university. I considered how to create these tools with the goal of freeing children from the unfamiliar term “scientific research” and inspiring them to imagine fascinating scenarios about the field, even if they couldn't picture it clearly.

Fundamentally, each laboratory within the university conducts distinct research, and understanding the specifics is difficult without speaking directly to the researchers. Therefore, I began by interviewing the researchers from the laboratories hosting the workshops. Their stories were filled with unknown facts, sparking surprise and curiosity. I developed the poster designs by transforming these emotionally resonant sensations into visual concepts representing each research area.

The Cicada - Functional Polymer Research

“The Cicada” is the poster for the lab researching polymer-based replication of cicada wing characteristics. Cicada wings are known for their bacteria-killing properties, and mimicking this shape enables the development of materials resistant to bacterial adhesion. Since cicadas are familiar insects to children, I adopted the cicada as a motif symbolizing the lab.

In today's world where more children dislike insects, insects are no longer seen as creatures to catch or keep as pets. However, viewed from another perspective, this very sentiment makes them all the more memorable motifs. Therefore, the layout uses a photograph of a cicada taken from directly above to evoke its perched position on a tree. The visual design was created using graphics resembling tree bark and a text layout.

The NIC - Non-equilibrium Interface Chemistry

“The NIC” is a poster for a laboratory researching interfaces—the boundaries between different substances. Within this field, the lab focuses on the application of spontaneous interfacial convection. This phenomenon occurs when chemical reactions between two liquids (oil and water) create interfacial tension and an imbalance in flow along the interface. Therefore, I decided to create the visual image using the work of photographer Keita Otsuka, with whom we have a close relationship and who has provided work for various projects. This visual utilizes photography to visualize the refraction and dispersion of light that occurs when plastic is heated to soften it and then exposed to light. Through this photographic expression, which employs the distortion of plastic and the refraction of light, it represents the state of an interface caused by the chemical reaction between liquids.

About Takashi Matsuda

While majoring in oil painting at art university, Takashi Matsuda began working as a graphic designer. He now focuses on creating visual communication design that enriches society. Matsuda runs the creative studio 246 Graphics, which supports clear and thoughtful communication for both communities and businesses through visual identity, branding, and advertising. He is also active in education and research at the university. His major recognitions in 2025 include Poster Stellars 2025 (Gold), DNA Paris Design Awards 2025 (Winner), Graphis Poster Awards 2026 (Platinum), Indigo Design Award 2025 (Gold), and the C-IDEA Design Award 2025 (Gold), among others.

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