Ray Masaki

Quotes

• “Irasutoya has become what Microsoft’s clip art once was: a default so deeply embedded that it [...] is shaping the country’s visual vernacular.”

• “There is an idealist principle in [Riso] that celebrates the freedom of expression and the power of shared information that is still echoed in its many loyal fans today.”

• “The hackability of the Riso printer naturally promotes a community of knowledge-sharing.”

Articles & interviews

• Elizabeth Goodspeed on why design writing needs designers writing

  It's Nice That · Apr 2, 2026

  In this opinion piece, designer and writer Elizabeth Goodspeed argues that design writing benefits when designers themselves take part in it. She explores how writing helps designers articulate their thinking, connect their creative and analytical practices, and make design discourse more reflective and nuanced. The article highlights examples like Ray Masaki, Michael Bierut, and Steven Heller to illustrate how writing and design can inform each other.

  Studio RANPentagrameditorial
• How changing tattoo culture reflects a quiet shift in Japan

  It's Nice That · Nov 19, 2025

  Written by Tokyo correspondent Ray Masaki, this article explores Japan’s evolving tattoo culture, tracing its history from ancient Ainu practices and Edo-period criminal branding to contemporary reinterpretations by young artists. It highlights how figures like Hanae Sato, Flat, and Jiayu Pang are redefining tattooing as a subtle, personal, and artistic form of self-expression, reflecting broader cultural shifts toward individuality and acceptance in Japan.

  art
• Japan's Irasutoya: Famous Yet Unknown Illustrator Shapes Visual Culture

  It's Nice That · May 13, 2025

  The article profiles Takashi Mifune, the anonymous illustrator behind Irasutoya, Japan’s ubiquitous free clip art library. It explores how his accessible, culturally specific illustrations have shaped Japan’s visual language and become a national design default. The piece also compares Irasutoya’s influence to global examples of default aesthetics, such as Microsoft’s clip art and Vietnam’s use of Cooper Black.

  AQillustration
• "Risograph's Revival in Japan: Origins and Impact on Art and Society"

  It's Nice That · Nov 26, 2024

  Written by Tokyo correspondent Ray Masaki, this article explores the history and cultural significance of Risograph printing in Japan, tracing its origins with Riso Kagaku and its evolution into a tool for creative and activist communities. It highlights contemporary uses through projects like Neo Sora’s film HappyEnd and community studios such as Hand Saw Press and Slogan, emphasizing Riso’s accessibility, affordability, and communal spirit.

  Hand Saw PressSloganRiso KagakuHappyEnd (film)print