TMCreation

Meet the Designer

Introduction

Toshihiro Maruyama

TMCreation is a design practice led by Toshihiro Maruyama, specialising in corporate logo design as the foundation for websites and digital communication. The studio works in both Japanese and English, with bases in Japan and Australia.

With over 20 years of experience in digital and visual design, Toshi has supported more than 100 startups and collaborated with over 300 companies and organisations. His work extends beyond Japan, with ongoing projects for clients in Australia and other international locations, including government bodies, educational institutions, and Aboriginal organisations.

Born in Edogawa, Tokyo, Toshi became an Australian citizen in 2021. As the founder and designer behind TMCreation, he has overseen all creative work since the studio was established.

He specialises in translating abstract ideas and concepts into clear, purposeful design, taking cultural context and real world use into account. Working as a native Japanese speaker with extensive professional experience in English, he operates from a position between Japanese and English speaking environments, supporting projects across diverse cultural and business contexts.

I aim to create work that speaks to people on a deeper, human level

- Toshihiro M

Meet the Designer

Where His Design Journey Began

Before working with computers, Toshi spent much of his time expressing ideas and emotions through drawing and painting. The sensitivity developed through hand drawn expression continues to form the foundation of his design thinking today.

In his work, he is involved from the earliest stages, helping clarify objectives and underlying assumptions before shaping structure and direction. Design is not treated as decoration, but as a means of organising information and enabling clear communication.

Through an understanding of cultural context, strong structural thinking, and careful communication with stakeholders, each project is shaped with intention. The influence of early hand drawn experience remains present in the attention to detail and emotional nuance found throughout his work.

This approach remains consistent regardless of medium or format. Projects that require sensitivity to cultural differences and a focus on conveying essential meaning are met with the same level of care and commitment.

Creative Highlights

Before the year 2000, Toshi began his creative journey through traditional hand-drawn illustration—a practice that remains the foundation of his design philosophy. After winning an international illustration competition in Japan, he successfully transitioned into the design industry. Today, his graphic design and branding work is featured in publications such as Logo Talks.

A Story from His Inner World

City of Cascade

I still remember it. From time to time, the thought returns. I sometimes wonder whether it was something my dream once saw. In my own imagination, I call it the Fantasy Planet.

At the foot of the mountain on the left stood the entrance to that forest. From there, it was possible to go deeper inside. The forest stretched on endlessly, like a vast sea of trees. When I finally passed through it, I stopped, breath held. Before me was a vast city, hidden deep within the forest.

It was an extraordinary sight. Nature and human presence existed together in what felt like perfect balance. The beauty of it was overwhelming.

As I stood at the entrance to the city, a single sign came into view. It says “City of Cascade”.

Behind the Artwork

He spent nearly three hundred hours over the course of three months creating this painting. His inspiration came from European architecture and the natural landscapes of Australia, which encouraged him to begin developing this artwork. The concept behind the piece is to revive the beauty of nature within a modern world and to express the harmony that can exist between people, nature, and contemporary life. He used three different mediums, oil pencils, water colour pencils, and water colours, which together helped bring this original illustrated world to life.

Explore City of Cascade