Yuko Shimizu at OFFF Barcelona
At the OFFF Festival in Barcelona, one talk in particular left a lasting impression on me: Yuko Shimizu’s. Her thoughts on artistic integrity, staying true to yourself, and finding your own path deeply inspired me. Since these are the same questions I explore in my blog, I wanted to summarize and reflect on her talk here.
Who is Yuko Shimizu?
Yuko Shimizu (not to be confused with the Hello Kitty designer of the same name) was born in Tokyo in 1965 and now lives in New York. She works for clients such as The New Yorker, TIME, and DC Comics. It wasn’t until her mid-thirties that she left a career in PR to study illustration at the School of Visual Arts in New York – a bold and life-changing decision. Her style is powerful and culturally layered, blending influences from traditional Japanese Ukiyo-e and Western comics.
The Talk: Honest, Motivating, and to the Point
Yuko’s talk wasn’t about putting on a show, it was an open, thoughtful conversation about doubt, decisions, and creative mindset.
“You don’t need to change how you draw – you need to learn to embrace it.”
Her message: accept your style instead of chasing trends.
Original or Pop Star?
“Don’t judge but decide who you want to be: original or pop star?”
Do you want commercial success, or do you want to follow your own unique path? Both are valid but the choice should be intentional. And when you say yes to a project, give it your all.
“Don’t create for imaginary clients.”
Yuko warns against designing based on imagined expectations. Often, we create with a voice in our head saying, “Would a client like this?” – which isn’t necessarily wrong, but it can limit creative freedom. Some of the most powerful work happens when there are no constraints, no brief, no paycheck, just pure artistic expression.
Focus Over Talent
“It doesn’t matter when you are not talented – clear focus matters.”
Talent isn’t everything. What matters more is clarity, perseverance, and passion. Doubt is normal. The important thing is to keep going.
“To say: ‘In the past I was so bad’ means that you got better.”
Looking back and seeing growth is a sign of progress and that’s a great feeling.
Why Illustration?
“Illustration comes when photos don’t work.”
Illustration can express what photography can’t – emotions, concepts, imagination. That’s why the medium matters. Even in a world full of new technologies, illustration has a future, because it’s honest, personal, and human.
My Conclusion
Yuko Shimizu reminded me what truly matters: finding and owning your unique style. Not working for likes or money, but for meaning. And the two most important things: never give up and it’s never too late to start over.
