About akr Design Studio
Akiko Kato Ruiz, a designer and illustrator, launched akr Design Studio. Akiko made the move to Orange County, California, after earning a degree from Joshibi Art College in Japan. She decided to pursue her dream of becoming a freelance illustrator after working in the apparel industry as a graphic designer. Akiko discovered her illustration note to her friend hanging on the wall at her friend's house. Her friend said, It's too cute to throw away. Akiko realized that she had found a way to incorporate her art into everyday life. In 2014, she designed greeting cards with thoughtful messages inside that people could hang like art. akr Design Studio began with five greeting cards and has since added notebooks, planners, enamel pins, keychains, and more than a hundred different designs to its product line. Their objective is to create designs that lift you up, similar to wall art.