How a country changes its face: From 27 May to 5 July 2025, the ‘Identity Systems Germany’ exhibition at the ginza graphic gallery (ggg) in Tokyo will show how West Germany visually reinvented itself after 1945. Using unique archive material, the exhibition tells the story of the systematic, strategic and creative formation of a new identity.
Following the Second World War, West Germany was tasked with repositioning itself politically, economically and culturally. Graphic design played a central role in this process, giving the new democratic era a visual identity and creating a sense of trust, direction and modernity. This exhibition explores this development by showcasing selected design systems, demonstrating how visual identity became a pivotal aspect of West Germany’s self-assurance.
Identity Systems Germany is based on the successful presentation at the kyoto ddd gallery at the end of 2024 and will be shown in Tokyo in an expanded form. Thus, the exhibition takes a closer look at a chapter of German design history that had a formative influence far beyond the professional world.
Design as a Reflection of Social Change
Taking centre stage is the A5 Collection from Düsseldorf, founded by Katharina Sussek and Jens Müller. It includes rare design manuals, concept drawings, print samples and original posters from the post-war period. Iconic visuals for Lufthansa, the 1972 Olympic Games, and banks and ministries demonstrate the close interweaving of design and social change. The objects on display reflect not only the high design standards, but also the confidence in structure, clarity and systematics.
A curatorial highlight will be the Gallery Talk on 30 May, in which Katharina Sussek and Jens Müller will explore the background to the collection and the international relevance of systemic design.
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