From Acorns to Hollywood: My LA Pictogram

About the Japan House touring exhibition “Pictograms: Iconic Japanese Designs”

For this project, children aged 7 to 16 living in Los Angeles were invited to create pictogram sketches on the theme “What defines Los Angeles?”

A team of designers from the Nippon Design Center then refined these drawings and developed them into pictograms that could be downloaded and used by the public. The result is “My LA Pictograms”.

“Pictograms: Iconic Japanese Designs” exhibition

Just as with “My London Pictograms,” many children submitted expressive, personality-filled sketches.

Motifs unique to Los Angeles appeared in abundance: beaches and palm trees, tacos and hot dogs, the glamour of Hollywood, and even the natural landscapes that stretch just beyond the city’s edge. Each carefully drawn sketch brimmed with observational skill and affection for the city. From every work, it was clear how the children are inspired every day by the diverse cultures surrounding them.

Just as in the London edition, the submissions were so full of individuality that narrowing them down to the 30 pieces for display proved an extremely difficult task.

After the selection, designers from the Nippon Design Center carefully worked with each sketch, transforming them into pictograms while preserving the unique charm of the original drawings. The designers worked to authentically represent the children’s perspectives and ideas, while also retaining the open, expansive spirit of Los Angeles, refining each piece down to the smallest detail.

The completed pictograms were displayed alongside the original sketches at Japan House Los Angeles. During the exhibition, a group of students visited on a school field trip—and among them was one child whose eyes seemed to light up more than anyone else’s. He was, in fact, one of the young artists who had created a sketch for the project. As he stood looking at the pictogram born from his own drawing, perhaps the beginnings of his next idea were already taking shape.

Until the exhibition closed in May 2026, visitors continued to stop by and photograph the display, and the project drew a strong response throughout its run.






Finally, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the school staff, parents and guardians, and, above all, the children who created the sketches and took part in this project.

Born through the fresh and unfiltered perspectives of children, “My LA Pictograms” offers a glimpse of Los Angeles through their eyes. As you picture the city’s warm sunlight, please feel free to download and enjoy them—perhaps with a taco in hand.

My LA Pictogram