What is Fuji Customs?

Fuji Customs started when I was living in Japan. I was looking for a creative outlet and found that in customizing sneakers. Currently, I'll still customize shoes on the side but my focus has shifted to digital pieces with the end product being stickers or posters.

What influences or inspires your style?

I enjoy experimenting with different visual styles so it's tough for me to really stick to one dedicated style. In general I tend to draw inspiration from my interest in sneakers, basketball, local Hawaii and Japanese culture.

What mediums do you like working with?

I love switching it up! Most of my work is created digitally via Photoshop and Illustrator but I enjoy taking a break from screens by painting on sneakers or sketching.

What is your process in creating each piece?

I've got a little notebook where I write random ideas that pop up but aren't fully formed yet. Periodically I'll go back through the book and if feeling inspired will take an idea, create a rough sketch, then redraw it digitally. It's purely for fun and for the challenge of bringing to life the idea that's in my head.

How do you fuel your full days of creating, illustrating, designing?

My days of designing start off with a cup of coffee and morning walk. Being outside in the cool of the morning helps to wake me up and appreciate the new day God has given. When working on a project I'll listen to podcasts or background music (currently streaming LoFi versions of Ghibli movie soundtracks).

Do you ever get creative block, if so, how do you overcome it?

Totally! Sometimes the ideas aren't free flowing, other times the motivation just isn't there. It can be tough because I think for most people that design things, you draw energy from the act of creating. But in life there are seasons and a time for everything. So when in a season of low inspiration I've learned to just accept it. A worry of mine was that the period of stagnation would last forever. It won't, it never does! There are too many interesting things in the world to draw new inspiration from. For me a way of breaking through those creative blocks is shifting my attention completely to other things I enjoy like playing sports, watching anime, reading or looking at pictures of corgi butts. Feeling no guilt for not being creative at that moment.

What is on your "creator" bucket list?

I think it'd be fun to illustrate a children's book.

See more Fuji Customs' customs at @fujicustoms or visit the Etsy store! Locally you can find Fuji Customs stickers at two locations: From the Heart (Dillingham) and Chaos Inc. (Kaneohe).