Aihara Nico

Specialized in Graphic Design.

Aihara Nico

About Aihara Nico

An illustrator who works in a wide range of genres, including illustrations for websites, books, goods design, etc. In addition to color illustrations drawn by hand with a pen that are then painted with Photoshop, she also works on line drawings, featuring a retro-inspired style regardless of whether it is a Western or Eastern drawing

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Graphic Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs
  • Graphic
Horyukaku Illustration

Horyukaku Illustration

Graphic Design

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Interview with Aihara Nico

Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
I have always loved drawing since I was a little child. I drew a lot of characters from anime, manga, and video games. I also liked drawing pictures of plants and animals. However, I only started working in design after I got married and quit my previous job.
What is "design" for you?
Our job is not only to provide necessary functions and characteristics, but also to use a variety of colors and shapes to appeal to people's sensibilities. At the same time, it is also a process that allows me to connect with the work of great designers of the past.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
I especially like handcrafted designs that give a sense of beauty and nostalgia.
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
Drawing illustrations has been my hobby for many years, and I used to design New Year's cards and other things myself. Someone saw it and asked me to design a New Year's card, and little by little I started receiving requests for illustration and design work.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
I give importance to the impact and beauty of the moment people see the works for the first time.
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
When I'm designing, I'm concentrating, so I don't get too emotional. However, I often worry about how to look good.
What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
I'll never be completely satisfied, but I'll keep improving until I think I've done a pretty good job.
When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
The first thing I think about is whether the part I want to show most can be seen without stress.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
Any design is a learning from the past, so I believe we have a responsibility to pass on as much as possible to the future.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
How to properly utilize AI is undoubtedly a major challenge. I welcome technology that supports human creation, but it must not infringe on anyone's rights.
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
After my maternity leave ends, I would like to participate in an exhibition in Japan within two or three years.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
When it comes to design, the things that give me the most inspiration are the works of creators from the Art Nouveau period and Japanese ukiyo-e prints. I read art books by my favorite creators over and over again. And I am always researching how I can create works as appealing as theirs. I also learned a lot from Japan's excellent design during the Meiji and Taisho eras, when Western culture entered Japan.
How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
One of the characteristics of my style is that my illustrations are hand-drawn with intricate lines and colored. Another feature is the harmonization of traditional Japanese culture and European design elements.The clear outline, reminiscent of ukiyo-e, and the taste of an old Western picture book make my works quite unique .This style was inspired by my desire to draw women in kimonos like Alphonse Mucha.
Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
I live in Osaka, Japan. Japan has a lot of wonderful classical literature, and I often draw illustrations based on them. There is a wide variety of traditional crafts, and one of the benefits of living in Japan is that you can easily come into contact with designs from various eras.
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
I start designing with paper and a 0.3mm drafting mechanical pencil. I draw it with a pen and finish it off with Photoshop.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
I am working as a freelance illustrator and designer in Japan. I can communicate in simple English.

Extended Interview with Aihara Nico

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I have always loved drawing since I was a little child. I drew a lot of characters from anime, manga, and video games. I also liked drawing pictures of plants and animals. I loved historical novel, so I enrolled in the literature department at university. I only started working in design after I got married and quit my previous job.
How did you become a designer?
Drawing illustrations has been my hobby for many years, and I used to design New Year's cards and other things myself. Someone saw it and asked me to design a New Year's card, and little by little I started receiving requests for illustration and design work.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
We do various types of illustration designs such as greeting cards, book covers, visual images, character designs, etc. I especially like handcrafted designs that give a sense of beauty and nostalgia.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
A great design has a beauty and comfort that makes people want to take a closer look.
What is your day to day look like?
I would like to work to introduce Japanese culture to the world in whatever form it takes.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
My dream is to design illustrations related to Nanso Satomi Hakkenden, the classic Japanese literature that I love the most.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
As you might expect, I respect Alphonse Mucha. I also love other illustrators from the era, such as Arthur Rackham. I also have great respect for the ukiyo-e artist Yoshitoshi Tsukioka.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
Our job is not only to provide necessary functions and characteristics, but also to use a variety of colors and shapes to appeal to people's sensibilities. At the same time, it is also a process that allows me to connect with the work of great designers of the past.

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