profile / illustration / alumni / on-01
September 26, 2023
By Solvej Schou
Work images courtesy of Keiji Ishida

To Illustration alum Keiji Ishida, reinvention means evolving

To alum Keiji Ishida (BFA 23), reinvention means evolving, adapting and transcending previous limitations to progress personally and collectively.

“As an artist, I allow change in my work—it’s what keeps me moving, and the only way I think I could survive,” says the recent graduate of the Illustration program, whose work was commissioned for the debut issue of ArtCenter On and its theme of Reinvention.

That work—which includes visual sound effects (e.g., “Da! Da! Da!”) inspired by the late Japanese manga artist Shigeru Mizuki—tells the story of a friendly robot gardener who, despite being upgraded to look menacing, must still comply with its original programming.

Influenced by skateboard and street-wear culture, Ishida has worked with clients that include Apple, Netflix and Paris-based Nozbone Skateshop.