Dottoko Zoo

Nakamura Norio is a graphic designer who graduated from Nihon University College of Art. He worked at Sony Music Entertainment before becoming a freelance graphic designer. He began creating pixel art through flip phone content in the early 2000s, developing a style based on visual reduction and the idea that simple forms can suggest meaning.

His picture book Dottoko Zoo, created entirely with pixel art, encourages active interpretation by children and was awarded the BolognaRagazzi Award in 2014. He views design not as explanation, but as a form of communication that trusts the viewer’s sensitivity.