Keep challenging new things! is Asuka Watanabe's — Art director, Graphic designer and Illustrator— statement for 2018 and where all in! Catching the design bug in high school by making band posters for her band to now challenging herself with creating a 3D mural out of geometric wood panels — we can't wait to see what Asuka gets up to next
What are some of your earliest creative memories and what lead you into design?
I was in a band when I was in High School. I was in charge of making posters and flyers. I was designing with acrylic paint at that time. It was fun and my bandmates loved my work and I was inspired to get more into design.
Whats your take on internships? (do you take interns now?)
Yes, I’m taking on an intern from France now. Designers become too focused and lose the wider view. I can take things from various viewpoints by working with a intern.
Any passion projects/collabs you would like to share?
I created a 3D mural for a club in Ginza, Tokyo. It was challenging what I’ve never done before. I cut wood panels into geometric shapes, painted them, and built up the mural piece by piece.
How did you develop your style as an illustrator and what tips would you have for others?
One of the most important things is simply keep at it. The first 2 or 3 years after I started designing, I didn’t know what I wanted to create, or what I was good at doing. I would go to exhibitions, or out into the countryside to get inspiration. In this way, I gradually developed my own style. So my advice would be to keep designing and be inspired by anything around you.
Designers become too focused and lose the wider view. I can take things from various viewpoints by working with a intern.
What advice would you give students starting out?
After graduating college, I developed my Illustrator and photoshop skills a lot. At the same time, I researched good designs and illustrations and considered why this design is really good as well.
2018 for you in a sentence.
Keep challenging new things!
