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June 30, 2009
GAP (PRODUCT)RED T-shirts updates No.4
OK, so this is going to be the last Gap t-shirt updates, I promise!
I just added a new blog post (finally!) with photo of you in the Gap (product)red Yuko T-shirts. I love them all. Thank you so much. And, yes, I am still accepting your photos. Always love to see them.
(below from left: Brooklyn boxer John Douglas, Yuki Ikezi from California, Yausi Mora and Emilia Casana from Mexico, and Sam Gorrie in Las Vegas, Nevada)
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June 24, 2009
GAP (PRODUCT)RED T-shirts updates No.3
These are photos from the Gap Store Times Square in New York yesterday. Last of the four designs, Fortune Cookie T-shirts (left), is now officially in stores. (I don't think they have this style online). This is my favorite one of all, and the only design that I specifically created newly for this project. Sorry boys, this design is in women's size only... (Don't ask me why.)
For previous updates on Gap (product)red series, and link to online store, please read here.
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June 20, 2009
PRESS SECTION updated
As promised last week, I finally updated PRESS SECTION. Now you can read all the current press, interviews and articles some in your language, like Chinese, Spanish, Italian..., even Indonesian and Turkish!
Last but not least, thank you SO so much everyone from all the different countries who were kind enough to feature my work in their publications.
Below is the cover and some interior pages from babyboss, an illustration and design magazine from Jakarta, Indonesia. Special thank you to editor Godot.
Read babyboss article and other new press here. |
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June 13, 2009
June 9, 2009
Venice Illustration Course is back
Back by popular demand! Illustration workshop in Venice, Italy is happening again this summer. It is a six day long workshop for illustrators in any level. The Course is limited to about 15 students. I teach, advise and guide each student according to your level, interest and personality. We all had such fun time last year with students from Italy, Spain, Canada and even from Korea, from serious working illustrators to beginners This summer is the famous Venice Biennale year, so it is double the fun!
To learn more and see photos from last year's workshop, please check out organizer Teatrio's site in Illustration Courses section. Registration forms can be downloaded on the site as well. |
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June 7, 2009
June 4, 2009
May 28, 2009
I try to be better at updating the news page, and a close to a month passed by! I am terribly sorry...
I promise I will update more once I come back from a short vacation. But here are some news brief. |
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SUMMER ILLUSTRATION WORKSHOP in VENICE is announced
I will write more about this when I come back from my vacation, but, I am teaching a workshop in Venice, Italy again this summer. This course is limited to very small number of students to have better one on one communication throughout the six day intensive course.
Please read the details and download application form at organizer Teatrio's site. |
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GAP (PRODUCT)RED limited edition T-shirts updates No.2
There are some exciting news about GAP (PRODUCT)RED T-shirts. Yes, they are now in stores, as far as I know, in the US and in Canada for sure. Some international stores may carry them, but GAP didn't have much info on that, so sorry non-US/Canadians.
I have been contacted about Boom Box T-shirts from many people. They are, finally, officially at GAP(PRODUCT)RED site. Also, as you can see in the photo below left, women's line now has Panda Bear Girl shirts out as well. This design is currently only sold at stores. There is actually one more design, specifically created for the T-shirts, Fortune Cookie image. I think they will be out soon as well!
(To find participating stores, please go to GAP(PRODUCT)RED site and go to FIND A STORE link. )
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May 4, 2009
GAP (PRODUCT)RED limited edition artists T-shirts!
Another limited edition product just came out today. This time, it is the GAP's (PRODUCT)RED artist edition t-shirts. There are two designs for both men and women. T-shirts should become available both on GAP site as well as (PRODUCT)RED participating stores nationwide in the US. (To find participating stores, please go to GAP(PRODUCT)RED site and go to FIND A STORE link. )
They should be available in some countries outside of the US as well.
Take photos of you wearing them and send them to me! I would love to post them on my site and on my blog. |
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April 23, 2009
YUKO DOES DIAPERS!
Starting next week in Sweden and some other countries in Europe, you can buy limited edition Yuko diapers (yes! diapers!! really!!!) from Libero.
Libero is one of the top diaper brands in Europe, known for their unconventional, edgy and innovative concepts and designs. This Spring it is Tiger Collection. Libero is raising awareness for the endangered species.
You can see all the diaper designs on the SPECIAL PROJECT SECTION.
You can watch the commercial film and "making of diaper design" video (= i.e. Yuko interview) on libero.se Big thank you to the nicest people at Swedish ad agency Forsman & Bodenfors.
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April 15, 2009
NEW BLOG POST
I just posted a new blog entry about an illustration I just finished for The New York Times. Read it here. |
April 10, 2009
LOTS OF BOOK NEWS TODAY.
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GENESIS now available in Italy
It was close to a year ago I collaborated with Mucca Design on this young adult sci-fi book cover (near right). The book has just come out from Rizzoli Romanzo of Italy. (Danish adopted version came out a while back.)
Thanks to Hana Anouk Nakamura, a talented designer of Mucca for tuning my illos into a beautiful wrap around. You can order the book directly from Rizzoli.
LITTLE BROTHER receives multipele award nominations
Congratulations to Cory Doctorow for Hugo, Nebula and Prometheus Awards nominations!
Now the book (far right) is in process of getting published in multiple countries including Greece and Norway with the same cover design.
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FREISTIL BLACK IS HERE
Juried illustration annual sourcebook from Germany, Freistil, just came out. I have two double page spreads in it.
This year's theme is "black". All the images in the book are printed in b/w with some cool special ink effects. A must have for creative professionals.
You can read more about it or purchase a copy from Freistil website.
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April 9, 2009
April 2, 2009
March 31, 2009
March 26, 2009
TRAVELING AGAIN.. (therefore the studio is closed)
I have not even finished unpacking, yet I have packed my suitcase back again. Yap, on the road again. I will be back on April 7th.
The first quarter of this year happened to be the busiest travel quarter I have ever had. I feel like I am never in New York and always lacking sleep. But, no complaint! It is such a great opportunity to go visit schools and design organizations, meet students and aspiring illustrators, and exchange info with working designers and illustrators around the world. So, thank you, thank you thank you.
But, after I am back, I am not planning on traveling out anytime soon! So, friends in New York, don't forget about me!
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LECTURE IN HOLLAND –April 1–
I am taking off to Italy tonight to judge the annual children's book competition by Teatrio. Then to Holland to give talk to the design majors at Utrecht School of the Arts.
I am so excited. It will be my first ever visit to Holland!
The lecture is mainly for the students, but it is also open to anyone who is interested. Please see more details on SHOWS & EVENTS SECTION. |
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March 21, 2009
March 18, 2009
Yes, I am back in town. Xalapa was far. Door to door 16 hours each way. But it totally worth the trip. People were ridiculously nice, the town was beautiful rich with culture and filled with flowers and trees, and food was yummy.
I will be around till the next business trip in about one week. And, here are some updates.
PS96 BRONX MURAL FOR NY TIMES!
PS 96 mural got a nice write up on last Saturday (March 14)'s New York Times. Also, more write up on project organizer Pentagram's blog. Big thank you with respect to Mr. Michael Bierut.
YUKO ON KANYE WEST BLOG? WHAT??
Yes, it is for real. Friend Tim Leung told me that I got a write up on Kanye's blog. Here is the link. So you know I am not lying.
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March 11, 2009
March 9, 2009
March 7, 2009
| SPECTRUM 16 SILVER MEDAL in ADVERTISING CATEGORY! |
Thank you all the judges, an awesome client Microsoft who gave me total freedom, my agent for getting me this job and Matt Rota for assisting me with coloring.
I just found out I won a silver medal from Spectrum 16.
When you see my work, you probably don't think about fantasy or sci-fi, but I was a huge fan growing up, drooling over Frazetta, Boris Vallejo and Jeffrey Jones, reading Moorcock and C.L. Moore. To get accepted into this award is a huge honor and something I wish I can go back in time and tell the 13 year old me.
On the right is the one and only Donato Giancola announcing the awards. Watch the video here, and see all the results here. |
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| XALAPA, MEXICO, SEE YOU NEXT WEEK! |
Friends at Amarillo Centro de Deseño in Xalapa, Mexico sent me over these photos. They are in the middle of getting ready for the show and lecture that's happening next Saturday, March 14th.
I LOVE Mexico, but haven't gone back there in more than 20 years. I am really excited (and a bit nervous) to fly down next week.
If you are near by, come meet me! Looking forward to seeing you there.
Details are on Amarillo site. You can RSVP on Facebook too.
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March 2, 2009
THE UNWRITTEN
OK, so I had posted that teaser before, but it is now official. The Unwritten, by Mike Carey and Peter Gross, the new series all the graphic novel fans have been waiting for, will be released in May from DC Vertigo.
I am teaming up with this genius duo, along with the fantastic editor Pornsak (he was also my editor for The Sandman series), to create covers for the series. The first cover is also on the cover of the latest PREVIEWS (right). You can see it in the comic book stores near you.
I have just finished the second cover and got the approval today (yay!), and just about to start working on the third cover. In the meantime, Peter is about five pages to get the third issue done. (I think he is working on the best scene of the issue right now!) I have read about five issues worth of script now, and I have to say it is really gripping. I am hooked. I bet you will be too.
THE SOCIETY OF ILLUSTRATORS SHOW – advertising, institutional and uncommissioned category –
..is opening tomorrow. So, New Yorkers, come check it out.
I have a few pieces in this show: some from Microsoft UltimpatePC project and also that AIDS prevention poster for a French client that never got published (too long a story to write here..)
Opening reception is on Friday, March 6th. Details at the Society of Illustrators site. See you there.
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February 26, 2009
finally finally finally, MAJOR UPDATE ON ILLUSTRATION SECTION
Yes, finally! I spent some time over the past few days and added 15 new images to RECENT ILLUSTRATION SECTION. Also, worked on some older post, and added all the actual covers along with the original illustrations to The Sandman The Dream Hunters (DC Comics Vertigo) images.
Well, from now on, I will try to be more up-to-date on the regular basis...
I am hoping to update PRESS section soon as well and let you know once that is done.
a little surprise at SPD LECTURE SERIES
Hey illustration fans! There will be a great lecture, Do It WIth Illustration, at FIT in New York City next Tuesday (March 3, 2009)
No, I am not one of the speakers this year (I did it last year and it was fun), but it will be a great lecture to go to to begin with, and also, American Illustration is giving away special presents to some of the lucky audience including signed American Illustration 25 cover/posters which I illustrated for them (click on the right image to see). So, come by, listen to the lecture and get inspired, and bring home a poster to decorate your room. RSVP for the event here.
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February 23, 2009
February 19, 2009
THANK YOU FOR INVITING! THANK YOU FOR COMING!
Thank you thank you thank you everyone who came to my talk at Washington University, Sam Fox School in St. Louis, Missouri yesterday.
To my surprise, the auditorium was full house including many of you standing in the back for full one hour +. Wow. I was so honored. |
I had fun talking with all the senior illustration students in their classes, faculty and staff members, and those of you who came up to talk to me and share your thoughts and experiences after the talk. I have was touched by the energy of the future illustrators. Now I am back in New York energized more than ever.
Special thank you goes to: my former studio-mate and Wash faculty John Hendrix, and Ms. Lori Turner who organized and arranged this trip. And, everyone who made this possible, whom I met during last two and half days, who came to the talk. Thank you again.
Next stop is: Xalapa, Mexico in March. Hasta el mes que viene!
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February 16, 2009
YUKO IS OUT OF TOWN
I am out of town to spend some time with the students of Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. If you are in the area and interested in coming to my talk, it is open to public. Information is on their website.
I will be back to the studio on Friday, February 20th. Thank you! |
February 12, 2009
| SANDMAN SERIES is COMPLETED. WHAT'S NEXT (in the comic book world)?
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The last issue of Sandman The Dream Hunters (by Neil Gaiman and P. Craig Russell) came out last week.
You can now find all four issues at comic book stores near you. (I even saw them in a store in Berlin, Germany!)
Ah, the comic book people are so nice, I loved working with them, especially my sweet editor Pornsak Pichetshote.
So, guess what? Pornsak and I have just started working on covers for a new series!
Last week, I met up with the team for a dinner, the talented and sweet Mike Carey and Peter Gross. comic fans know them well as the geniuses behind Lucifer series.
I cannot tell you much more now, but to the right is a sneak peek of what I am working on right now.
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and, SANDMAN COVERS in SOCIETY OF ILLUSTRATORS BOOK SHOW
And, the first and second Sandman covers (top row in the above photo) got accepted into the book category of the Society of Illustrators 51st annual competition show, which has just opened. I also have two illustrations in the editorial category of the same show.
This is a great show to see original artworks by different illustrators in a single space. Please go visit if you are in New York City.
Museum of Illustration at The Society of Illustrators
128 East 63rd St., New York City. Show runs through February 28th. <hours: Tues: 10-8 Wed-Fri: 10-5 Sat: 12-4 closed Sun> |
February 9, 2009
FUN COVER at NYT BOOK REVIEW
To the right is the cover of The New York Times Book Review from yesterday. 6 artists illustrated Lincoln with the same exact color scheme in 6 completely different ways (mine's in the middle).
You know they are all Abe, yet, each image is completely different. This is why illustration is so fun.
On my blog at DRAWGER I have posted this process and every illustrator's name and web links. (You can even read about how I gave Abe a Photoshop facelift.)
You can also see the slide show of all the illustrations on NY Times site.
UPDATES ON LONG OVERDUE SITE UPDATES,
AND WHERE YOU CAN SEE MY NEW WORK IF YOU WANTED...
So, as you can see, I am terrible at updating my site. Pretty much, nothing's been updated other than this NEWS SECTION and SHOWS and EVENTS SECTION other than some minor things here and there for a long time..
You may think I have not illustrated since November (last time when ILLUSTRATION SECTION got updated), but I have been working, just not updating.
I also have about 5 new press and books sitting on top of my desk not scanned in.
So I am planning a major update sometime soon, with tons of new images on ILLUSTRATION SECTION, PRESS SECTION and all that.
Till then, I will at least try to update often on my DRAWGER BLOG, PICTURE MECHANICS and ILLOZ pages, so check back with them too.
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February 8, 2009
MORIBITO named as an OUTSTANDING INTERNATIONAL BOOK
Earlier this month, School Library Journal announced 42 titles recommended by the fourth annual United States Board on Books for Young People’s (USBBY) Outstanding International Books committee. These were chosen as the best of children’s literature from faraway places—books that introduce young readers to outstanding authors and illustrators from other countries, help them see the world from other points of view, and provide another perspective or address a topic that may be missing from children’s books in the United States.
First of the Moribito series by Nahoko Uehashi from Scholastic, which I contributed by illustrating cover and interior illustrations was chosen as one of them. Big thank you to Elizabeth Parisi and Phil Falco of Scholastic for giving me this opportunity.
You can read the full article and browse through other 41 chosen titles on School Library Journal site. You can also see the cover and interior illustrations by clicking the image on the right.
YUKO IS OFFICIALLY BLOGGING
It's like 3 years too late... but I now officially have a blog, on DRAWGER, an illustrator blog site. I just started and not much is there yet, but I am planning on posting sketches and finals, random thoughts about my work and illustration in general, so please stay tuned. |
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February 7, 2009
| BUY GUM and SUPPORT NEXT GENERATION OF CREATIVE MINDS |
Sticky, a creative agency in Chicago and Retail Advertising & Marketing Association came up with a very creative idea to raise scholarship fund for students at Columbus College of Art and Design in Ohio.
Four artists, including myself was invited to design gum packages based on the stories Sticky has created. 12 packs of gum in a carton is sold for $25, which will fund Randy Curtis Memorial Award.
My image is based on a trippy story about a third nipple escaping the body, travels across the continent and go surfing. (Yes, you read it right. )
Because the story was so out there, and the package features a surfer on the wave of thousand nipples, the gum got rejected from production at the last minutes.
But of course, it is the bunch of creative minds who are working on this project, they ended up managing to produce this gum, as a "banned and limited edition".
so, you can buy this gum, chew on this, all for a good cause!
See more photos of the gum here. |
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February 2, 2009
January 16, 2009
January 14, 2009
hello students at PS96 in the Bronx. Welcome to the new library!
This afternoon I took #2 train up to Pelham Parkway in the Bronx (NY) to attend the opening reception of the new library at Public School #96. As you can see in the photo, my contribution to this project was creating a set of 11 murals. |
The library was donated to PS96 by non-profit organization Robin Hood Foundation, including the architecture, construction, design, furniture and computers, along with 7000 new books for the students and teachers to use for years and years to come.
I am extremely excited to be a part of this project, thanks to designer Stefan Sagmeister who decided that elementary school murals should be illustrated and somehow picked me to collaborate with him. We worked on and off for 2 and half years.
I love creating images for magazines, newspapers and on the covers of books and CDs. But I had never imagined a day would come when I could contribute to the little future hopes of New York and encourage them to learn. What a rewarding feeling.
And thank you everyone who was involved in the project to make this happen.
Please see more photos here.
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January 5, 2008
HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone!
With struggling economy, it may not be the right time to use the word "happy", but it is still a new year, so, happy new year to everyone. Let's hope 2009 will be a start of a new era. Here are my "new year's resolutions"... |
editorial, editorial
Last year, I wasn't able to do a lot of editorial illustrations, but I am feeling good finally getting back into it, creating many new pieces for many new (and some familiar) clients now.
2008 ended with a fun portrait for TIME Magazine's Person of the Year issue illustrating the one and only: Zhang Yimou, so honored to be able to draw him. To kick off 2009, two illustrations appeared on the cover of Boston Globe Ideas Section yesterday. (Yes, that means, I worked on January 1st!)
shows / lectures and school visits in works
I will keep squeezing in travels in my schedule to come meet you! So join me when I am there.
In January 23, I will be in Germany for Embedded Art exhibit opening at Akademie der Künste in Berlin. (Hope it is won't be as cold as it is now!)
In February, I will be coming to Washington University in St. Louis, thanks to the invite of my former studio-mate and super talented John Hendrix.
In March, I am scheduled to be in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico thanks to the kind invitation from Amarillo Centro de Diseno. A show and lecture are scheduled. aspiring illustrators and students in Mexico, come come! Looking forward to meeting you there.
Also in March, I will be judging a children's book illustration competition organized by Teatrio in Chioggia, Italy. They are still accepting applications. So, please apply your awesome works!
new products!
My first line of T-shirts are in works! If everything goes smooth, three designs are going to hit your favorite American casual three-letter- brand-you-know-who stores nation-wide in late spring for their Summer '09 collection.
In Europe, Libero diapers are coming out with Yuko limited edition designs soon. Please stay tuned.
Also, as I wrote a few weeks ago, The CIA Super Hero Calendar is selling like hot cakes! Thank you thank you thank you to those who purchased the calendar. if you haven't gotten your copy yet, you can read more below.
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