Keeping it in the family
22.02.21 Words by Hannah Valentine

Keeping it in the family

Inspired by her artistic upbringing, Japanese creative Asuka Eo’s carefully composed black and white graphic style is full of grace and balance.
22.02.21 Words by Hannah Valentine

With a minimalist style and monochromatic colouring, Asuka Eo’s digital designs have an immediate appeal. From elegant performing poodles to delicately displayed pears, what's striking about Asuka’s designs is the grace and harmony with which they are arranged. "The idea of balance in my illustrations is very important to me,” she tells Wrap. "I compose the different elements of my designs very carefully.”

This careful consideration of the way things look is a family trait. With grandparents who were oil painters and a mother who worked as a comic illustrator, Asuka grew up in an artistic household. "I’m strongly influenced by my family background,” she says, explaining that her mother’s graphic art techniques particularly enthralled her. "As a child, I loved watching my mother use screentone paper in her work,” she says. "Screentone paper is used to create this graphic effect. You rub the back of it and it leaves textured marks on your page. I use digital tools to help me create something similar in the patterns I use.”

The result of these familial influences is a style that's inspired by her upbringing, and yet, is entirely her own. While studying Art Theory at Tokyo’s Keio University, Asuka determined that first and foremost, she would create designs that she herself loved. “I decided to create works that I would want to hang on my own wall,” she says. “And what appealed to me, was black and white illustration.”

It's a style that appeals to plenty of others as well, including Tokyo restaurant Sta., for whom Asuka has created a series of coaster designs using her signature monochromatic techniques. And another client she particularly enjoyed working with is Japanese creative agency Alien Design and Photography. "They wanted me to create a logo with an alien theme, but they left the design completely up to me,” she says. "Coming up with the design wasn’t easy, but I’m very happy with the result!”

Despite her client work, Asuka is reluctant to label her artistic practice. "I’m not sure if I’m an illustrator, painter, or graphic designer,” she says. However, just like when it came to developing her artistic style, satisfying herself is her first priority. "When it comes to my work I do what I want and don’t force myself in any direction,” she explains. "The most important thing for me is to continue to enjoy drawing.”

Asuka Eo
"The idea of balance in my illustrations is very important to me. I compose the different elements of my designs very carefully.”

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www.asukaeo.com / @asuka_eo