I am a graphic designer and scientific illustrator who resides in Los Angeles, California. I began my career in scientific illustration by assisting professors and researchers who needed detailed illustrations to support their scientific journals and publications. I am passionate about discovering nature and incorporating it into my work. On the other hand, I also love the thought process and visual communication aspect of graphic design. Through my years of experience, I had the opportunity to work in corporate settings with some of the most talented professionals in the fields to managing my freelance projects. I have developed skills that are done by hand from drawing to painting, as well as creating work in digital formats for fabrications. In 2018, I took on my first public art project, an experience that ignited a deep passion and fulfillment for creating accessible art in communities and public spaces. I like to use typography, bold shapes, and vibrant colors in my work. I often explore themes of nature, diversity, cultural awareness, and positive social impact. Currently on Exhibition: Stench, 2025. OC Made Fullerton Museum Center List of clients: Century City Business Improvement District EVgo Glendale Galleria Mall Associates Natural History Museum of Los Angeles Sherman Oak Chamber of Commerce Space X Temple City, California

Laishan Ito

I am a graphic designer and scientific illustrator who resides in Los Angeles, California. I began my career in scientific illustration by assisting professors and researchers who needed detailed illustrations to support their scientific journals and publications. I am passionate about discovering nature and incorporating it into my work. On the other hand, I also love the thought process and visual communication aspect of graphic design. Through my years of experience, I had the opportunity to work in corporate settings with some of the most talented professionals in the fields to managing my freelance projects. I have developed skills that are done by hand from drawing to painting, as well as creating work in digital formats for fabrications. In 2018, I took on my first public art project, an experience that ignited a deep passion and fulfillment for creating accessible art in communities and public spaces. I like to use typography, bold shapes, and vibrant colors in my work. I often explore themes of nature, diversity, cultural awareness, and positive social impact. Currently on Exhibition: Stench, 2025. OC Made Fullerton Museum Center List of clients: Century City Business Improvement District EVgo Glendale Galleria Mall Associates Natural History Museum of Los Angeles Sherman Oak Chamber of Commerce Space X Temple City, California

Available to hire

I am a graphic designer and scientific illustrator who resides in Los Angeles, California. I began my career in scientific illustration by assisting professors and researchers who needed detailed illustrations to support their scientific journals and publications. I am passionate about discovering nature and incorporating it into my work. On the other hand, I also love the thought process and visual communication aspect of graphic design. Through my years of experience, I had the opportunity to work in corporate settings with some of the most talented professionals in the fields to managing my freelance projects. I have developed skills that are done by hand from drawing to painting, as well as creating work in digital formats for fabrications.
In 2018, I took on my first public art project, an experience that ignited a deep passion and fulfillment for creating accessible art in communities and public spaces. I like to use typography, bold shapes, and vibrant colors in my work. I often explore themes of nature, diversity, cultural awareness, and positive social impact.

Currently on Exhibition:
Stench, 2025.
OC Made
Fullerton Museum Center

List of clients:
Century City Business Improvement District
EVgo
Glendale Galleria Mall Associates
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
Sherman Oak Chamber of Commerce
Space X
Temple City, California

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Language

English
Fluent
Chinese
Fluent

Work Experience

Founder / Creative Director at Laishan Ito Design
January 1, 2004 - Present
Graphic Design/Art Direction/Branding/Print/Packaging/Digital Content/Visual Communication. Public Art and mural painting. Provides design services from concept to installation, collaborating with fabricators for production. Notable projects include mural and utility box art across Glendale, Encino, Temple City, Century City, Duarte, Rancho Cucamonga, and Arcadia.
Public Artist / Murals at Laishan Ito Design
January 1, 2020 - Present
Public art installations and utility box murals for municipal programs in Glendale, Encino, Temple City, Century City, Duarte, Rancho Cucamonga, Arcadia, West L.A. Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and Arcadia Street Box collaborations.
Scientific Illustrator at Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2017
Illustrations for Hart Museum Trail Guide (2017); NHMLA publications (2015); Crustacea and Entomology department illustrations for research journals (2004–2006; 2001–2005).
Scientific Illustrator at University of California, Riverside
January 1, 2001 - December 31, 2005
Entomology department: wasp and beetle illustrations for research publications; microscopy and rapidograph on mylar for science journals and publications.
Graphic Designer / Art Director at Laishan Ito Design
January 1, 2004 - Present
Graphic design, art direction, branding, print, packaging, digital content, and visual communication; public art and mural painting; managing projects from concept to production with fabrication coordination.
Public Artist at Independent Public Art Projects
January 1, 2018 - Present
Conceptualized and executed streetscape utility box murals and public art installations across multiple cities, including 2025 projects at Glendale Galleria, Encino, Temple City, Century City, Duarte, Rancho Cucamonga, and Arcadia-related collaborations.
Scientific Illustrator at Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
January 1, 2001 - Present
Illustrations for Hart Museum Trail Guide (2017); Insects of the Los Angeles Basin (2015); Crustacea (2004–2006); Entomology (Phoridae) (2001–2005).
Senior Graphic Designer at Nokia Design Center, Calabasas
January 1, 2005 - December 31, 2012
Digital Identity team: mobile product graphics, digital content, packaging, UX design, and collaboration with a global team; Multimedia/Visual Communication Design team: mobile product graphics, digital content, packaging, print, and production.
Freelance Graphic Designer at UNO Studio Inc.
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2004
Providing brand strategy, storefront vinyl graphics, social media content, packaging design, stylized illustration, art direction, and visual design for the company’s clientele.

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts at Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, California
January 11, 2030 - June 5, 2026
Bachelor of Business Administration at University of California, Riverside
January 11, 2030 - June 5, 2026
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design (Print emphasis) at Art Center College of Design
January 11, 2030 - June 5, 2026
Business Administration (Marketing) at University of California, Riverside
January 11, 2030 - June 5, 2026
Bachelor of Fine Arts at Art Center College of Design
January 11, 2030 - June 5, 2026
Bachelor of Business Administration (Marketing) at University of California, Riverside
January 11, 2030 - June 5, 2026

Qualifications

Streetscape Project Artist Recognition
January 1, 2025 - June 5, 2026
Sherman Oaks Chamber Foundation Public Artist Recognition
January 1, 2023 - June 5, 2026
Golden Days Window Painting Contest Award
January 1, 2023 - June 5, 2026
City of Azusa Art Box Artist Recognition
January 1, 2019 - June 5, 2026
Streetscape Project Artist Recognition
January 1, 2025 - June 5, 2026
Sherman Oaks Chamber Foundation Public Artist Recognition
January 1, 2023 - June 5, 2026
Golden Days Window Painting Contest Award
January 1, 2023 - June 5, 2026
City of Azusa Art Box Artist Recognition
January 1, 2019 - June 5, 2026
Streetscape Project Artist Recognition
January 1, 2025 - June 5, 2026
Sherman Oaks Chamber Foundation Public Artist Recognition
January 1, 2023 - June 5, 2026
Golden Days Window Painting Contest Award
January 1, 2023 - June 5, 2026
City of Azusa Art Box Artist Recognition
January 1, 2019 - June 5, 2026

Industry Experience

Government, Media & Entertainment, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Education, Other
    Garden Passage at Glendale Galleria

    An art installation of a housing structure fully covered inside and out with colorful succulent
    design to provide an immersive art experience in public places for visitors at the Glendale Galleria mall.