I'm a Creative Director and Art Director based between Japan and California, with over 25 years of experience in branding, motion design, digital experiences, and visual storytelling.
Over the years, I've worked with clients and collaborators including Neil Young, Apple, Adobe, Amazon, Disney, Warner Music, GoPro, as well as startups, artists, and filmmakers. I enjoy finding simple visual solutions to complex ideas—whether through brand identity, motion design, or digital experiences.
Through Toshi Onuki Studio, I work across commercial and cultural projects, leading creative from concept through final delivery. My approach is collaborative and hands-on, with a focus on making ideas clear, distinctive, and meaningful.
Owner / Creative Director
Toshi Onuki Studio
Jan 2012 – Present
Toshi Onuki Studio
Jan 2012 – Present
Creative and art direction across branding, motion design, digital experiences, UI/UX, editorial, and print. Lead projects from concept and visual development through production and final delivery for global brands, startups, artists, and cultural organizations.
Art Director
Neil Young / Shakey Pictures
2002 – Present
Neil Young / Shakey Pictures
2002 – Present
Long-term creative collaboration overseeing visual production across digital, film, video, and print. Work includes web and app experiences, Blu-ray/DVD, video production, motion graphics, editorial design, packaging, print, and film restoration.
Freelance Art Director
Watchwith, Inc. — San Francisco, CA
Oct 2015 – Apr 2017
Watchwith, Inc. — San Francisco, CA
Oct 2015 – Apr 2017
Art direction and motion design for interactive and in-program advertising experiences.
On-site Graphic Designer
George P. Johnson
Oct 2017
George P. Johnson
Oct 2017
Designed presentation graphics and supported teleprompter production for Nissan's press event at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show.
Freelance Art Director
Vertigo Software, Inc. — Point Richmond, CA
Apr 2014 – Oct 2015
Vertigo Software, Inc. — Point Richmond, CA
Apr 2014 – Oct 2015
Art direction, UI/UX design, motion graphics, and video editing for digital products and connected experiences across mobile, web, wearable, and entertainment platforms.
Clients included LucasArts, GoPro, Disney/ABC, MLB, Golf Channel, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Red Bull.
Guest Instructor
San Francisco Art Institute — New Genres Department
2014 – 2015
San Francisco Art Institute — New Genres Department
2014 – 2015
Guest and substitute instructor for Introduction to New Genres.
Backstage Producer
Kenwood Group — San Francisco, CA
2013 – 2015
Kenwood Group — San Francisco, CA
2013 – 2015
Managed backstage production for Square Enix at E3 in Los Angeles across three consecutive years.
Art Director
PonoMusic — San Francisco, CA
May 2012 – May 2013
PonoMusic — San Francisco, CA
May 2012 – May 2013
Concept development and art direction for the PonoMusic digital ecosystem, including web, music player UI/UX, desktop application, and brand development.
Senior Art Director
MX Productions — San Francisco, CA
Jan 2010 – Dec 2011
MX Productions — San Francisco, CA
Jan 2010 – Dec 2011
Creative and art direction for Blu-ray, interactive, and second-screen experiences for major entertainment properties.
Clients included Disney, DreamWorks, Fox, Pixar, Dolby, Warner Music, Universal Music, and Marvel.
Selected projects included Beauty and the Beast, Bambi, The Lion King, Toy Story 3, The Dark Knight, The Avengers, and The Hobbit.
Creative Director
Total Media Group — South San Francisco, CA
Jan 2009 – Dec 2009
Total Media Group — South San Francisco, CA
Jan 2009 – Dec 2009
Creative direction, editorial, and motion design for entertainment, technology, and consumer brands.
Clients included Neil Young / Shakey Pictures, Visa, Oracle, Adobe, NVIDIA, Gap, Williams-Sonoma, ESPN, Intel, Nintendo, and Union Bank.
Senior Editor
Total Media Group — South San Francisco, CA
Jan 1994 – Dec 2008
Total Media Group — South San Francisco, CA
Jan 1994 – Dec 2008
Editorial, compositing, motion graphics, and visual production for commercial, entertainment, and corporate projects.
Freelance Online Editor
Bay Area Video Coalition — San Francisco, CA
Jul 1996 – Jan 1998
Bay Area Video Coalition — San Francisco, CA
Jul 1996 – Jan 1998
Online editing and creative consultation for artists, nonprofit organizations, and independent filmmakers.
Selected work included Matthew Barney's Cremaster 5 and projects for Pacific Film Archive.
Avid Editor
Silicon Graphics — Mountain View, CA / Tokyo, Japan
Mar – Apr 1995
Silicon Graphics — Mountain View, CA / Tokyo, Japan
Mar – Apr 1995
Bilingual editor for an interactive television project produced in Tokyo.
Freelance Online Editor
Mita Video Center — Tokyo, Japan
Jul – Dec 1993
Mita Video Center — Tokyo, Japan
Jul – Dec 1993
Online editing for broadcast television and video productions.
Online Editor
TOVIC / Toei Chemical Akasaka Video Center — Tokyo, Japan
Jan 1989 – Dec 1993
TOVIC / Toei Chemical Akasaka Video Center — Tokyo, Japan
Jan 1989 – Dec 1993
Online editing for music videos, commercials, broadcast programs, corporate productions, Japanese subtitling, and theatrical trailers.