AILEEN NIIZAWA : : ART DIRECTOR + GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Brand Identity • Packaging • Marketing Campaigns • Print & Digital • Environmental Design
I Love Furikake and Graphic Design : :
I’m Aileen Niizawa, a graphic designer and art director based in Davis, California. With more than 20 years of experience, I create brand identities, campaigns, presentations, and print and digital materials, guiding projects from concept through production.
I grew up in Southern California, where my mom packed bento lunches for me in elementary school. My classmates were curious about the tiny, colorful specks on my rice: furikake, a Japanese seasoning. I loved sharing it and watching friends discover something new.
That feeling has stayed with me. In design, I enjoy taking an idea and helping others see its value. I’m drawn to both the big picture and the small details: how typography sets a tone, how hierarchy guides the eye, and how all the pieces come together. I like creating work that feels considered, communicates clearly, and holds up from the first concept to the final printed piece or digital file.
My career has taken me from an advertising agency and a product design company to a family-owned winery and a community bank. Each has given me a different perspective on how design helps people tell their stories and connect with their audiences.
Northern California has been home for more than two decades, and I love being part of its welcoming community. Take a look at my projects, or get in touch. I’d love to hear what you’re working on.
– Aileen

