Hi!👋 I’m Asahi. I grew up in Sapporo, Japan, and now I love calling Minneapolis —St.Paul, Minnesota home.
I’ve been working as a freelance illustrator for years, focusing on creating digital pieces with traditional printing inspired textures and layered color effects. I’ve made a handful of actual riso and screen prints, but I also love the flexibility and efficiency of building that look digitally especially for editorial commissions.
My love for traditional printing comes from my first job after college, where I restored old commercial prints. I spent my days scanning illustrations that had been carefully saved from ’40s to ’70s catalogs, magazines, postage stamps, matchboxes, toy packages—you name it—and digitally repairing all the wear and tear so they could be enjoyed again.
During that time, I saw an endless range of illustrations from all over the world and across many eras. That experience pulled me deep 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 work, drawn to the slower, handmade rhythm. With two little kids, I want my art‑making process to be approachable—something they can see and touch. Our living‑room table is often covered in paper scraps, pens, and half‑finished ideas, and that everyday mess gives me small pockets of creativity throughout the day. Working by hand makes my art feel connected to daily life, and keeps me open to surprises—those little “mistakes” often become 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. So please feel free to reach out if you'd like to chat about a project.
Client includes: Apple / Adobe / American Express / anorak magazine / ana tomy / Blue Q / Bunkyosya Publisher / DK Books Penguin Random House / EeBoo / Frankie Magazine / Google / Kumon Publisher / Los Angels 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
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。
I enjoy family bike ride.
My art room, where all the mess is welcome and my daughter loves hosting art parties with her friends.
