Beast in a Neon Cage

Student Work

Time: December 2010
Scope: Branding, Packaging
Role: Designer

Beast in a Neon Cage is the name of a film festival project for legendary cult director Seijun Suzuki. The festival’s title is a metaphor for the characters that appear in Suzuki's films: gangsters and crooks who appear civilized on the surface, but underneath are wild beasts stuck in the “neon cage” of the Tokyo nightlife.

The identity explodes with color to mirror the psychedelic imagery of Suzuki’s films, sharp angles reflect the on-screen chaos, and cartoon imagery hints at the dark humor that frequents his work. The packaging incorporates raw, unfinished wood to mimic the exterior of traditional Japanese wooden boxes, while neon acrylic sheets visualize the chaos waiting to erupt.