Yuko Shimizu is a New York-based Japanese illustrator. Though she initially honed her artistic chops in the PR field while living in Tokyo, Shimizu soon felt the creative pull and enrolled in New York's School of Visual Arts' MFA programme in illustration to pursue her dream to become an artist. She has been freelancing and teaching at SVA since graduation.

Her clients include MTV, T-Mobile, Neiman Marcus, Amstel, MAC Cosmetics, Rolling Stone, Billboard, SPIN and GQ. Shimizu's line of notepad products just debuted; to see them, please visit her online portfolio.

Check out other Flavorpill cover designs this week in NYC, SF, CHI, LA and MIAMI.