Pictograms are everywhere. From street signs and text messages to toilet doors and maps, they have transformed global travel, removing barriers by creating a universal visual language.
This virtual exhibition demonstrates how the beauty and precision of Japanese design has shaped the art of visual communication.
Exploring the virtual exhibition
- Starting just inside the Gallery, you can move around by using the circular portals on the floor.
- The information icons tell you more about the exhibits and the play icons play the videos on the screens.
- To immerse yourself in this exhibition, click on the full-screen icon in the top right-hand corner of the tour.
- When you’re finished inside the Gallery, continue the virtual exhibition upstairs on the ground floor and first floor.
The creation of this virtual exhibition is supported by JTI UK.
This virtual exhibition is for educational purposes only.
A gallery of 1 item.
About Pictograms
Pictograms: Iconic Japanese Designs is on display at Japan House London from 29 July to 9 November 2025.
Japan has played an integral role in the development of pictograms. The renowned design agency Nippon Design Center set an early standard with the sporting pictograms they created for the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, while people often unknowingly use a Japanese word – ‘emoji’ – to talk about digital pictograms.
From ancient Egyptian tomb carvings to navigating contemporary Japan, Pictograms traces the design, evolution, power and future potential of these universal signs.
Visitors can create their own unique symbol from a selection of component pieces and move amongst giant pictograms – standing under a 2.5-metre torii shrine gate, sizing up to a sumo wrestler or even taking the controls of a Japanese train.
The exhibition also offers the first chance to see selected pictograms designed by young people from the UK, who were invited to represent ‘their London’ in graphic form.
Visit Japan House London for a masterclass in the simplicity of communicating without words.
Japan House London’s Pictograms exhibition is supported by Epson UK Ltd, NTT Data Inc Group and Yamaha Music Europe GmbH.