Keiji Ishida
Design Assistant Intern · Lakai Limited Footwear
Altadena, CA
In My Own Words
Keiji Ishida (b.1999) is a Japanese artist based in Los Angeles, CA. He received his degree in Illustration Design with distinction from ArtCenter College of Design. His artistic passion derives from skateboard and streetwear culture, using text, repeated characters, and motifs that often find their way through various mediums. The process is design-oriented while revealing the imperfections and efforts of the handmade. He has collaborated with a number of commercial brands including HUF Worldwide, Nzobone Boutique, Airwalk Shoes, and Converse– designing apparel, decks, and advertisements.
Work Experience
Design Assistant Intern
Lakai Limited Footwear2023 – 2024
I was part of a 6-month internship for Lakai Limited Footwear. I worked alongside Andy Mueller(Art Director) and Ernesto Ortega (Product Manager) helping with graphic design, package design, presentation, video art, and tech-pack.
Studio Assistant
Jim Shaw Studio2021 – 2023
Part time studio assistant for Jim Shaw, Los Angeles painter for the Gagosian Gallery. I am responsible for helping with his under paints and digital editing of his drawings.
Freelance Illustrator
Target2023 – 2023
Collaborative Project designing a pattern for their 'Hey- Day' Electronic Department's Spring 2024 Collection/ Jan-Feb 2023. Remote.
Conference Volunteer
ICON Illustration Conference2022 – 2022
Skills: Volunteer Management · Communication · Organization Skills
Muralist
ArtCenter College of Design2022 – 2022
A temporary mural commissioned by ArtCenter College of Design at the South Campus Building.
Muralist
Design Syndicate2021 – 2021
Mural Design at the Netflix Office in Burbank, CA for Design Syndicate.
Studio Assistant
Cleon Peterson Studio2020 – 2020
Full-time Artist Assistant for Cleon Peterson. Helped create pieces for his show "Hysteria" at OTI Gallery in Los Angeles.
Freelance Illustrator
Converse2020 – 2020
Created a digital illustration for their social media campaign.
Retail Salesworker
Uniqlo2019 – 2020
Worked as a Part-time sales worker/English translator for foreign customers.
Freelance Illustration
Apple2018 – 2018
I collaborated with Apple France– illustrated 6 original characters, each representing, or engaging in, one of the six Today at Apple passions: Art&Design, Photo, Video, Music, Coding, Activity/Fitness. They were used in the launch of Paris flagship store in Champs-Élysées and on the opening, I took part in a live art session with other groups of artists.
Education
Summer Program
CSSSA - California State Summer School for the Arts (& Foundation)2016 – 2016
Summer Program
Projects
Target Heyday x Keiji Ishida
https://keijistudio.com/recent-watercolor-portraitsThis is a collaboration project with heyday, a leading electronic brand under the Target Umbrella. From phone cases and laptop sleeves to bluetooth speakers, AirPod cases, mouse pads, and headphones, each product showcases my illustrations inspired by the quintessential outdoor California vibe. From the initial stages of the project, I actively engaged with the Target team to discuss the choice of materials and the direction of the collection. Overall, the seamless communication and mutual respect between myself and the Target team played a crucial role in the development of the Target heyday x Keiji Ishida Collection. With the collective efforts, we were able to bring my artistic vision to life and create an amazing collection that exceeded our expectations. Target Corporation is an American retail corporation that operates a chain of discount department stores and hypermarkets, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the seventh-largest retailer in the United States.
