Chris Sasaki

Chris Sasaki is a digital artist living in Los Angeles known for work distinguished by a sketchy, rough quality that evokes the feel of concept art—blending bold, solid colors with a thoughtful balance of simplicity and expressive detail. This distinctive style resonates with animation fans as well as art book aficionados.

Chris’s illustrations stand out for their focus on diverse characters and culturally meaningful narratives. Recently, they have particularly enjoyed working on projects like Sakamoto’s Swim Club and the forthcoming Unbreakable, which both celebrate Asian American heroes—stories Chris wishes had been available to them in their own childhood. Their earlier illustrations for Paper Son by Julie Leung, spotlighting Chinese American animator Tyrus Wong, earned Chris the Society of Illustrators’ Dilys Evans Founder’s Award in 2019 as well as the American Library Association’s 2021 Asian/Pacific American Award for Best Picture Book.

Looking ahead, Chris aspires to both write and illustrate their own children’s book for the first time. When not immersed in illustration, Chris enjoys traveling, sketching, vintage shopping, and indulging in their favorite foods: tacos and dim sum.