Interview with Aihara Nico

When I'm designing, I'm concentrating, so I don't get too emotional. However, I often worry about how to look good.

I give importance to the impact and beauty of the moment people see the works for the first time.
If they want to stop and take a closer look, the work is a success.

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

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.

At first, I started drawing simply because I wanted to combine things I liked to express the world of Nanso Satomi Hakkenden well.
However, it was not just a matter of self-satisfaction, but being recognized worldwide as an excellent design gave me great confidence.
I would like to continue to take on many more challenges.

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.

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.

To be honest, I'm still learning, so it's difficult for me to explain clearly, but I think it's very important to closely observe what makes a great design great.
It is also important to try to put many ideas into concrete form.

A great design has a beauty and comfort that makes people want to take a closer look.

I would like to work to introduce Japanese culture to the world in whatever form it takes.
I have loved reading since I was a child and graduated from the Faculty of Literature, so I would especially like to participate in illustration projects related to classical literature.

My dream is to design illustrations related to Nanso Satomi Hakkenden, the classic Japanese literature that I love the most.

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.
I owe my illustration style to these great creators.

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.

The most popular recent project was an illustration I drew for a temporary fence for construction at Kobe Sannomiya Station.
It was a very large piece (2.5m x 15m) and I painted various things in my style.
Many people were paying attention and some even took commemorative photos.
It was difficult to draw so many illustrations, but I'm satisfied.

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.

The first thing to do when starting a design is to decide on the key elements and solidify the image.
For this purpose, I often look at art books or search for images on the internet.
After finding the ideas I want to incorporate, I start drawing up a rough design.

I use Photoshop to color the hand-drawn line drawings on paper.
I think there are few people who draw illustrations in the same style.
I've been using Photoshop for over 20 years, but I only use the basic functions.
When I first started, I wasn't able to get the coloring exactly as I had imagined, but through trial and error, I gradually got better at it.

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.

There are so many people I'd like to meet, so I'd rather walk through the streets of Paris during the Art Nouveau era or Tokyo during the Meiji and Taisho eras.

My house is my favorite place.
It's been a long-time dream of mine to work from home surrounded by my favorite designs, so I'm happy with my current job.
We are still making improvements to make the space more comfortable.

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.

I especially like handcrafted designs that give a sense of beauty and nostalgia.

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.

Paper and fountain pen

I give importance to the impact and beauty of the moment people see the works for the first time.

When I'm designing, I'm concentrating, so I don't get too emotional. However, I often worry about how to look good.

I'll never be completely satisfied, but I'll keep improving until I think I've done a pretty good job.

Beauty and comfort that make people want to take a closer look.

The first thing I think about is whether the part I want to show most can be seen without stress.

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 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.

After my maternity leave ends, I would like to participate in an exhibition in Japan within two or three years.

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.

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.

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.

I start designing with paper and a 0.3mm drafting mechanical pencil. I draw it with a pen and finish it off with Photoshop.

I am working as a freelance illustrator and designer in Japan. I can communicate in simple English.