Meet designer and illustrator from Tokyo, Asuka Watanabe.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Asuka Watanabe and I am a designer and illustrator. I do everything from logo and UI design to illustration and painting. I find inspiration in all areas of daily life, and my work is a combination of fine art and industrial design. I use geometric colorful visuals and simple themes to create unique work for any situation or client.

Describe the city you’re living in and what it’s like to live there.

Tokyo is so busy even at midnight. The day never ends in certain parts of Tokyo. This is a city where bars and restaurants, music venues, manga stores, and gaming arcades just go on.

I find inspiration in all areas of daily life, and my work is a combination of fine art and industrial design. I use geometric colorful visuals and simple themes to create unique work for any situation or client.

What is the best and worst thing about living in your city?

BEST: Nightlife in Tokyo is largely safe; you can go out everywhere in Tokyo by yourself even after midnight. I like meeting unique people because I can get various points of view. It’s not healthy though… lol

WORST: The rush hour train is packed… There’s no room for an apple to fall on a train.

Give us 3 words that describe what it’s like to be a creative in your city.

Delicious, Busy, and Exciting

How did you start your career in art?

In my childhood days, I was into music and collected cover design of CD/LP. Also, when I was in a rock band in high school, I loved designing live posters. That is why I started my career in design/art.

In my childhood days, I was into music and collected cover design of CD/LP. Also, when I was in a rock band in high school, I loved designing live posters. That is why I started my career in design/art.

Were the people around you supportive of your decision on working as a creative?

My parents were not very supportive because they knew very little about art. I had to go against their objections and I went to art college by my grandparents’ help.

What are some goals and ambitions you have for your future work?

To simply keep at it and never stop challenging

To simply keep at it and never stop challenging

If you could collaborate with any person in the world who would it be?

Toro y Moi

How would you describe the women around you?

Women around me are passionate, motivated, and diligent.

Women around me are passionate, motivated, and diligent.

Were there any local female creatives that you looked up to when you were growing up?

I’ve been inspired by Yayoi Kusama a lot.

Are there any challenging aspects of being a female in your industry?

I have no preference for gender, but I’d like to be myself.

Keep challenging new things.

Do you have any advice to young women who are aspiring to work in your field?

Photos courtesy of Asuka Watanabe.