BETA
Chapter 1
The birth of a cute empire
Chapter 2
The anatomy of kawaii design
Chapter 3
Meet the quirky Sanrio family
Chapter 4
A global phenomenon and business empire
YOUR GOAL
Master of The world of Sanrio
Ch 2 · The anatomy of kawaii design
yuki The anatomy of kawaii design
No tiny mouth but she feels what you feel! (Oh-oh!) Reflecting your heart, keeping everything real! (Yeah!)
yuki Hello Kitty's look has subtly changed over five decades to stay relevant to new generations of fans.
yuki Sanrio uses precise artistic ratios and soft, rounded shapes to trigger nurturing human instincts.
Fun Fact
The pet cat: Hello Kitty actually has her own pet cat named Charmmy Kitty, who was introduced by Sanrio in 2004.
Glossary
kawaii (noun)
A Japanese artistic and cultural aesthetic emphasizing cuteness, childlike simplicity, and playfulness. This aesthetic defined Hello Kitty's minimalist appearance, designed by Yuko Shimizu for Sanrio in 1974.
A Japanese artistic and cultural aesthetic emphasizing cuteness, childlike simplicity, and playfulness. This aesthetic defined Hello Kitty's minimalist appearance, designed by Yuko Shimizu for Sanrio in 1974.
Quiz
In which decade did Sanrio first remove the thick black outlines from Hello Kitty's designs?