About akrDesignStudio

akrDesignStudio was launched by designer/illustrator Akiko Kato Ruiz. After graduating from Joshibi Art College in Japan, Akiko moved to Orange County California. After working in graphic design in the apparel industry, she decided to pursue her dream to become a freelance illustrator. At her friend's house, Akiko found her illustration note to her friend hanged on a wall. "It's too cute to throw out" her friend said. Akiko realized she found a way to deliver her art to everyone's daily life. In 2014, she created greeting card designs that people can hang like art with a thoughtful message inside. Starting with five greeting cards, akrDesignStudio has expanded its line to include notebooks, planners, enamel pins, keychains along with more than a hundred greeting card designs. Our goal is to create stylish yet fun designs that lift you up, like art you hang on your wall. All designs are hand drawn works of art by Akiko with dipping ink and watercolor and all products are created with care and attention to detail on high quality materials. Today, hundreds of stores carry our products in the USA and around the world. akrDesignStudio is based in sunny Southern California.Read their story