Biography
Born and raised in Japan, Natsumi came to New York in 1999 and never left. She studied art and design at the School of Visual Arts where she was encouraged to explore her artistic sensibilities. After graduating with a BFA degree in Graphic Design, she worked at Time Inc. as a graphic designer. After that she has mainly worked for fashion, interior and food magazines in the marketing department of Conde Nast Publications. Her clientele include magazine publishers, advertising agencies & retail stores.

Natsumi is also an illustrator and has loved drawing, painting, and creating crafts since childhood. She grew up in the rural countryside on the Southern coast of Japan surrounded by beaches and mountains, which became her playground. It was there she became deeply inspired by nature. Living in New York City gives her the chance to mix elements of the natural world with ideas from contemporary art, design, fashion, and architecture. Her work consists of simple line illustrations and watercolors.

AWARDS
2003 Graphis New Talent 2004 winner
2003 Honors Graduate: The Rhodes Family Award
2003 Type Director's Club 49 Second Prize
2002 Type Directors Club Scholarship Recipient
2000 National Drawing Association Scholarship Recipient