Nissha Printing Co., Ltd. has developed “Book of Great Pictures – Pic-Pic-Picnic,” an Application for iPads. Shogakukan Inc. started distributing this application on April 3, 2012.

“Book of Great Pictures – Pic-Pic-Picnic” is an interactive application that was produced based on “Shogakukan Art Book Series,” a long-selling series of picture books. While playing with this application, both children and adults can learn much about great pictures by Van Gogh and four other Impressionist painters.

The first book in "Shogakukan Art Book Series" was published in 1993, with the copy "Let’s Play with Great Pictures!" In 15 years, the long-selling series, designed to introduce children to the wonderful world of art, has produced 15 additional books, with the total number of copies sold exceeding 700,000. From the first book on, Nissha Printing Co., Ltd. has served as printer for the series.
"Book of Great Pictures – Pic-Pic-Picnic" is an application that inherits the basic concept of the picture book series, while incorporating interactive features derived from the iPad’s characteristics. It was designed and produced by Masako Yuki, the author of the series, and Designer Kazutaka Nakaoka. New stories themed on great pictures were written for the application.
Leveraging its long experience in printing for publication, and its know-how in the development of smart device applications, Nissha developed an application that combines these advantages with the artistic sensibilities of writers, designers and editors. Nissha’s fine digital image processing technology and color management technology helped turn great pictures into fine digital data, and reproduce colors with the highest achievable fidelity.

The application allows you to view great pictures by five Impressionist painters (Monet, Renoir, Gauguin, Seurat, and Van Gogh) while reading picnic stories, as if turning the pages of a picture book. Also, you can hear a recital of these stories.
The pictures can be enlarged up to their original size, giving you a direct feel of each painter’s touch. Also, you can enjoy such games themed on great pictures as puzzles, coloring and drawing.
While listening to a lighthearted, originally composed song as background music, you can play joyfully and learn the facts presented in the pictures and the world views underlying them.

"Book of Great Pictures – Pic-Pic-Picnic" is currently distributed by App Store.
・ The download and the Van Gogh section are free of charge.
・ There is a charge of 500 yen for sections other than Van Gogh (Monet, Renoir, Gauguin and Seurat).

*iPad and App Store are registered trademarks or trademarks of Apple Inc., in the U.S. and other countries.