ServiceLogos by SAWARATSUKI, a Kawaii Graphic Design Hit!
What’s Going On?
On Github, there is a repository with over 11,000 stars and 300 forks, one that, over a week at the time of writing, has been booming in popularity among a multitude of users. This repository has gained notoriety, a presence on many developers’ social media profiles, and widespread adoration in such a short time. Its issues tab is filled mostly not with admonishments or reports of errors but with requests for additions and new content from a user base eager to see more from its leading developers. What is this repository? Could it be some hitherto new technology, a quantum leap in web design, or a disruptive new innovation to dethrone Artificial Intelligence?
No, actually.
This repository, ServiceLogos, authored by user SAWARATSUKI, is nothing more than an icon pack. But it is no mere icon pack; it is a wholesome marvel of graphic design that enamors itself quite well within its niche of developers. The long and short is that the icons are for standard software technologies such as Arch Linux or Vim, which are expected to developers’ tech stacks worldwide. Most of the open Issues are requests by developers for icons for specific software in their own tech stacks, such as TensorFlow. The icons themselves sort of resemble the graphic design for the logos of various popular Japanese anime such as K-On! or Soul Eater.
Well, what’s the big deal then?
If you’ve heard of SAWARATSUKI, it’s a well-known Japanese artist and programmer with accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and Skeb. They are noted online for their Kawaii art style and how they apply it to their graphic design art.
Kawaii is a Japanese aesthetic loosely referring to art with a notion of cuteness, innocence, or joy. It saw and continues to see popularity outside of Japan after importing and marketing famous Anime from Japan to other countries, especially in the West, where a vibrant and active community shares and creates art inspired by Anime and the Kawaii aesthetic.
What is ServiceLogos by SAWARATSUKI?
It is a repository of icons created by a noted Japanese graphic designer and programmer, SAWARATSUKI, and quickly gained popularity in April of 2024. These icons are distinguished by their embodying a Kawaii graphic design aesthetic that has enamored programmers who appreciate said aesthetic. Technologies like NodeJS and MS-DOS are made more approachable and even presentable on social media with a simple change in aesthetic.
It shows that success in online marketing, even familiar technologies, software, or applications, doesn’t have to be static and clinical. Even programmers, commonly stereotyped as cold, logical, or robotic, like to show another side of themselves. An unlikely marriage of an anime-styled aesthetic and tech software stacks can be a surprising success.
Find Out more here:
https://github.com/rakisaionji/SAWARATSUKI-ServiceLogos?tab=readme-ov-file
