Graphic designer Jo Iijima has been selected as one of the emerging talents in It's Nice That's Ones to Watch 2025, a curated list of next-generation creative professionals from around the world. Based in New York City, Iijima creates dynamic visual works that blend Japanese and English typography with moving images, creating what he describes as cosmic swirls of color and cultural fusion.

"Ever since I landed on Earth, I've known words to be limiting," says Iijima. "Visuals, however, speak to me in infinite ways." His approach to design transcends traditional language barriers by layering diverse cultures, colors, and typography that go beyond mere words and dimensional constraints. His portfolio includes brand identity work, campaign designs, art direction, Risograph printing, and custom typography that embraces what he calls a "chaotic blend" of Japanese and English elements.

Iijima's unique perspective stems from his multicultural background and experiences living in various cities around the world. "Because I've lived in so many cities, I see Japanese culture from a cosmic point of view," he explains. "My roots are in Japan, but my imagination floats somewhere out in space." This global perspective allows him to put diverse letterforms and graphic textures into what he describes as a creative blender, producing visually striking results.

The designer draws significant inspiration from Japanese pop culture, particularly J-pop music and its characteristic high energy. He cites J-pop as pushing everything "to the 200," referencing the ear-popping volume walls of groups like Ging Nang Boyz. Additionally, vocaloid artist Hatsune Miku influences his impossibly high tempos, leading him to exaggerate visuals with both joy and purpose. His moving images feature blistering swirls of technicolor and personality borrowed from the playful eccentricity of Japanese culture.

Iijima's visual philosophy centers on creating memorable experiences that stick with viewers. "Jo's work wants to stay in people's minds," he ensures through sparks and whiplashing movement in his designs. His creative process is deeply influenced by the sensory experiences from his travels and cultural immersion. "From the glowing vibrant Chinese character signs in Hong Kong, to the neon sounds of Tokyo's arcades, to the dynamic rhythm of people in New York, all these memories swirl together inside me like a vibrant colorful collage from a cosmic point of view," he shares.

For Iijima, design represents more than just a creative practice—it's a form of destiny and future memory. "Design isn't just something I create; it's something that has been waiting for me like a memory from the far future," he reflects. "I see a world no one else has seen." This philosophical approach to his work helps explain the otherworldly quality of his visual creations and his ability to transmit what he calls "a strong signal of emotion, surprise and connection from his multilingual universe."

His portfolio includes various projects such as "Watashi To Watashi," "Gekijyo (To Be Or Not To Be)," "Globe Self Portrait," "Iris Out," "J-Pop Playlist Cover," "Time Object Space," and "Nazonazo." These works demonstrate his range across different mediums while maintaining his signature cosmic aesthetic and cross-cultural visual language. Through his innovative approach to graphic design, Iijima continues to push boundaries and create visual experiences that resonate across cultural and linguistic divides.