Judith Cotelle (Judi DESIGN), a freelance Graphic Designer based in Hiroshima (Japan), specialising in logo, visual identity, branding and packaging design
So you have stunning products or services to offer?
I'm here to help you highlight them with a bespoke visual identity or packaging design!
If you want to break the mould, and disregard fleeting, superficial trends.
If you want to communicate authentically. We are going to get along perfectly!
You’re proud of what you’ve built. And everything you need to make it work seems to be there.
But… you’re still missing a little something to attract customers with your sentimentality.
Customers who want to invest in quality. Who love well-crafted products and are receptive to beautiful things.
I work a lot with young cosmetic brands, restaurants and bars, independent producers (beverages or food), craftsmen… But I’m always thrilled to work on new types of projects!
Or maybe you already have a team and a strategy ready and are simply looking for an independent and creative print graphic designer who shares your vision…
I’m Judith Cotelle, or Judi, as I’m known in Japan.
Far from fleeting trends and clichés!
And to give you the means to attract the customers or the audience you dream of.
How can I do this?
By focusing on your vision, to reveal your particularities with an image that breathes authenticity.
I was born in France, but I have already spent a third of my life in Japan. However, this wasn’t predestined.
Summer 2006 – I’m spending a summer vacation in Hiroshima.
It was love at first sight. And… poof! Ten months later, I pack my bags and come back to settle down.
In 2013, I joined Nininbaori, a Japanese creative agency. Then, after six awesome and rewarding years, I finally decided to go independent.
As you can imagine, I had to adapt, expose myself to a multitude of ideas and viewpoints, and question my certainties.
But Japan is not the end of the road. I also love to explore the rest of the world and soak up the richness of different cultures from around the globe.
It allows me to broaden my mindset, free myself from preconceptions and shake up stereotypes.
With each new experience and encounter I develop as a Graphic Designer.
It is from this diversity that I draw my inspiration. Not only from this, but also from other domains that fascinate me: art, music, cinema, photography, architecture, the list goes on…
Travelling the world is often travelling in different times and eras.
Ah… you can see it in the small Japanese neighbourhoods that have retained the retro charm of the Showa era!
Creating links between the past and the present
Drawing from the aesthetics and artisanal techniques of the past, and incorporating the charm and elegance of other eras, is my thing.
But I don’t mimic them!
I prefer to revisit them in my own way while retaining the depth that is often missing from current fads.
I like to add a subtle vintage touch and a pinch of nostalgia to contemporary visuals so that they survive the test of time.
I need to analyze, dissect and scratch beneath the surface to better understand things and the world around me, and this is reflected in my working relationship with clients.
Like you and your customers, I have a passion for things made with love and care, considering beautiful materials and quality production.
I’d be happy to suggest beautiful papers as well as refined and original printing techniques to enhance your marketing collateral!
A Graphic Design who speaks English for your business in Japan
Your company is located in Japan, but you prefer to
- communicate in English with your Graphic Designer
- with someone who knows the specifics of Japan
- who lives in the same time zone as you
- who can take care of the relationship with Japanese printers and other suppliers
I can help you with your logo, your visual identity and your communication materials!
My Services
They were happy to hire me
Judith’s skill stood out to me the moment I took a look at her portfolio.
Her ability to blend classic design and modern aesthetic was exactly what I was looking for in my branding project.
Furthermore, Judith is a fantastic designer to work with! I expressed early on in the project that I had regrettably few references for my chosen aesthetic in my field, and Judith was extremely understanding and worked with me to develop that aesthetic.
Working with Judith truly felt like a collaboration, with me bringing observations and ideas to the table and Judith using her design expertise to make it a reality. Judith and I were in regular communication over the course of weeks to complete my project, and I never doubted that there would be a reply to my email.
Moreover, I sincerely appreciated Judith’s willingness to try my suggestions, even if only to illustrate why my ideas could use adjustment. I never felt like she “took over” the design; rather she would make changes that improved the design with my original vision consistently at the forefront.
I highly recommend Judith to anyone looking for skillful, artistic graphic design from a diligent and communicative designer.
− Jessica Gonzalez-Wu
Certare Tutoring
After having worked with Judith on our company’s logo, fonts and brand packaging, I would highly recommend her for brand design work for several reasons.
First, she is efficient in communication and providing deliverables.
In addition, and most importantly, she is creative and collaborative.
Lastly, her rates are more than fair.
− M R
Pac Pac Snacks
I was unsure of who to go to for my logo design. I had specific requirements that couldn’t be fulfilled by just anyone. I needed someone who understood the nuisances of both Japanese and English and who could take existing work and turn it into something amazing.
Judith did just that. I found her through an internet search and I was immediately taken back by her abilities. She made such beautiful designs that mixed exactly what I was looking for.
She ended up creating a logo perfect for my little furniture start up side job. After some back and forth of ideas, she came up with designs quickly and efficiently. Her price was fair and it matched the work that she output.
On top of that, Judith’s professionalism was over the top. Her conduct has inspired and influenced me as I attempt to start a business.
To Judith: Thank you for your time and the awesome logo. I hope to see lots of success from you in the future.
− Christopher Walker
Wayou Woodworks
Judith s’est occupée avec brio de tous les détails techniques et visuels de mon livre sur les villages du Japon. C’est bien simple, sans elle, je ne sais même pas si j’aurais réussi à garder la motivation jusqu’à la fin d’un projet aussi complexe ! Au final, j’y ai pris du plaisir, et c’est grâce à la qualité de ses services et de sa bonne humeur. Je suis impatient de travailler sur de nouveaux livres et ça se fera – sans hésiter une seconde ! – avec Judith.
− Jordy Meow
Éditions Meow
Judith a très bien compris mes demandes et mes attentes. Elle est à l’écoute de l’autre et de très bons conseils. Très précise, elle explique ses choix et le moindre détail de tout. C’est clair et un vrai plaisir de travailler avec elle. Je me suis sentie en confiance. Pour la créativité de ce projet, elle a mêlé harmonieusement et avec élégance modernité et tradition. Les délais ont été respectés, rapides tout en laissant des respirations. Elle a su choisir les meilleurs fournisseurs et artisans japonais pour la réalisation des tote bags et des cartes de visite. Sans oublier sa gentillesse. Je ne pouvais espérer mieux. Le TOP !
− Isabelle Mallet
Galerie Mallet sarl / Autour du Japon
ジュディとは友人の紹介でした。
仕事柄、クリエイティブに携わる業務という事も関係し、ポートフォリオサイトを頻繁に見る機会があり、様々なアートティストの作品をよく見ていました。
海外のアートティストが数ある作品を掲載している中で、何気に見た作品のポートフォリオに目が留まり、【 海外の人が見て感じたJapan。 】
的な印象で、日本人では出せないような難しい表現、感覚だなと素直に想いながら、『良い感じだなぁ…雰囲気いい』…
そして、プロフィールまで見てみると、Japan在住でしかも広島…
あら?こんなデザインする外人さんが広島いるんだなぁとか思っていた頃、自社の業務中で、ふと、『女性のデザイナーって中々いないなぁ…+ センスが良い人…』居るわけないと思っていた。
思っていたけど、友人の知人がジュディでした。笑
感性が豊かで、日本を愛している粋なフランス人。日本語も全く問題なく常に勉強熱心。業務においても心強いデザイナーです。
− Masanori Sawano、クリエイティブディレクター
seeds.limited / zenpang_agreegate
C’est simple : c’est un bonheur de travailler avec Judith!
“Shuwa-Shuwa”, notre livre illustré sur les onomatopées japonaises qui a été réalisé en collaboration avec 100 artistes venant de 35 pays, en anglais, français et japonais, était une vraie gageure (et notre premier livre).
Judith a su nous écouter, nous orienter, nous proposer des idées et un design géniaux.
Tout au long du projet, nous avons pu compter sur la bonne humeur et l’enthousiasme de Judith pour aller de l’avant et concevoir notre livre.
“Shuwa-Shuwa” 2 se fera avec toi, Judith, avec un immense plaisir !
Les M&M&m&m
− M&M&m&m LAMRI-SHIGEMATSU
Shuwa-Shuwa
私のロゴのデザインのコンセプトは、クラシックやシックなデザインが和食屋には多いので、出来るだけポップにしつつ高級感を出さずお客様の入り易さと一目で魚料理が美味しいイメージを与えれるという事だったのですが、見事に表現してくれて大変満足しています。
− 廣澤 雅久、オーナー
㐂すけ kisuke
Judiのデザインは日本人やそれ以外の国のお客様にも喜ばれています。
ロゴの他、名刺、ショップカード、メニュー表などをオーダーしました。
とても気に入っています、Judiはしっかりと僕やお店の事を考えて作成してくれてましたので、これから新規出店を考えておられる方はJudiにロゴデザインなどを相談してはいかがでしょうか?
とても満足出来るものを創ってくれると思います。
− Kawarasaki Shuji, owner
HALLELUJAH KITCHEN & BAR
ジュディーさんとの日本語でのやり取りは全く問題なく、打ち合わせもスムーズに行えます。
OLIVER RICHのプロダクトデザインは、カラフルかつ上品な雰囲気で。というコンセプトでデザインをお願いし、まさにそのようなデザインで仕上げていただきました!
− rika kunimasa
OLIVER RICH