Interview with Curator & Anime Artist GreyRadian | MakersPlace Blog

In this interview with artist and curator GreyRadian we learn about the featured artists in her upcoming curator exhibition and discuss anime and its impact across cultures and communities.

MP: Can you tell me a little about yourself and your history as an artist and someone who sells NFTs?

GR: My name is Stephanie, but I have gone by the name GreyRadian (Grey for short) online since 2009. I was born and raised in Australia, currently based in Tokyo, Japan.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Design and Advanced Diploma in Concept Design, I entered the video games industry in Japan and currently have 5+ years’ worth of professional experience.

I discovered NFTs in early 2021, and I was one of the only artists from a professional anime-art background active in the community and one of the few based in Japan. This opportunity led me to create my 1 of 1 collection, Himé Designs. I use my specialized skill set in Japanese anime character design and NFT technology to guarantee collectors’ ownership and value, thus introducing commercial-use licensing (CC0) to NFT projects. 

I also became one of the founders of the first NFT anime community called Anifam alongside fellow artist and friend Looona-Lou, which I am proud to be a part of as Anifam played an integral role in leading the anime art boom that kickstarted in mid-2021.

MP: Can you tell me how you came to work in the Japanese video game industry as an Australian transplant? 

GR: I come from the most isolated city in the world: Perth! When I finished school and was looking for a job, the games industry in Australia was almost non-existent, let alone in Perth. It meant I just had to get out of the country to find a job where I can use my skill set in the games industry.

I applied everywhere in the world, but with the competitive games industry, I decided to cater myself to a region where the language barrier would act as a giant hurdle for other applicants (and myself!) to give me a better chance of getting my foot at the door.

I also love Japanese video games and prefer their style of storytelling and design

MP: Though I know you were interested in anime before moving, how would you say your style has evolved since moving to the Motherland of Anime?

GR: By joining the professional working environment in Japan, I have learned a lot about how the Japanese capture the aesthetic of ‘kawaii.’ I don’t think many people outside of Asia realize this. Still, with a keen eye for detail, you can sometimes tell if the artist has honed their skills in Japan, Korea, China, or another country, even if the artwork is broadly ‘anime style.’ 

I have learned that the Japanese have a very particular way of distributing facial proportions in anime illustrations to properly encapsulate the culture of kawaii (which is not exactly synonymous with the word ‘cute’).

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