Hi!👋 I’m Asahi, a freelance illustrator. I grew up in Sapporo, Japan, and now I call Minneapolis, Minnesota my home.
I’ve always loved drawing since I was a kid—I used to make silly comics to make my little brother laugh (or not) and particularly loved drawing busy scenes filled with details, kind of like a Find Waldo book. I’m drawn to colorful, whimsical illustrations full of cheerful little characters and playful energy.
A lot of the risograph‑like textures and vintage style in my work comes from my first job after college, when I restored old commercial prints. I spent my days scanning illustrations from the ’60s and ’70s and repairing all the wear and tear so those illustrations can be enjoyed again. That experience pulled me into the world of vintage art and taught me how to recreate those nostalgic colors and textures in my own illustrations.
Lately, I’ve been exploring paper‑cut and mixed‑material. I've been loving the slower, handmade process—especially in a world that moves so fast and leans so digital. And now that I have two young kids, I want my art-making process to be approachable—something they can see and touch, not just something only happening on a screen. Our living room table is always covered in paper scraps, pens, and half‑finished ideas, but that mess lets me squeeze in little pockets of creative time between baby's nap schedules. It makes my art feel more connected to my everyday life. (And honestly, when I work by hand, I feel sharper and more open to surprises. Random ideas or “mistakes” often turn into the best parts of a piece.)
While I’m grateful for opportunities to work with big global companies, I have a special love for collaborating with small nonprofits and local businesses—both here in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area and back home in Japan.
Client includes: Apple / Adobe / American Express / anorak / ana tomy / Blue Q / Bunkyosya Publisher / DK Books Penguin Random House / EeBoo / Frankie Magazine / Google / Indigo, Canada / Kumon Publisher / LA Times / Lucy and Yak / Minnesota StarTribune / MAISONETTE / NIKE / NHK Publisher / Popular Science / Risolve Studio / Ridwell / Studio On Fire / Tubby Todd / Who gives a crap / YouTube / Walker Art Center / Walmart
Insta: @asahinagata
永田あさひ 1992年 北海道札幌市生まれ アメリカ合衆国ミネソタ州ミネアポリス在住 ウィスコンシン州立大学オークレア校グラフィックデザイン学科を卒業後、ミネアポリス市内のデザイン会社でイラストレーターとしての活動を経て2019年独立。現在はミネアポリスを拠点に世界各国で活動中。
Bike rides with my family are my favorite time.
This is my art room, where mess is welcome and my daughter loves hosting art parties with her friends.
