Katsumi Asaba was born in 1940. After working for Light Publicity, in 1975 he established the Katsumi Asaba Design Studio. Through the years he has created numerous advertisements for clients including Suntory, Seibu Department Stores, Takeda Pharmaceutical, Kirin Beverage and Misawa Homes. He currently is a committee member of the Tokyo Art Directors Club (ADC), chairman of the Tokyo Type Directors Club, president of the Japan Graphic Designers Association (JAGDA), chairman of the Design Association, (10th) president of Kuwasawa Design School, and Japan representative in Alliance Graphique Internationale (AGI). He holds a 6th rank (dan) of proficiency in table tennis. Mr. Asaba received a Japan Academy Award for Best Art for his art direction of the film “Sharaku,” and a Medal with Purple Ribbon from the Japanese Government. In 2008 he directed the exhibition “Whispered Prayers” at 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT. For his “Asaba’s Diary” displayed at that show, Mr. Asaba received his second Tokyo ADC Grand Prize.