Hello I’m Maki Niikura, a Japanese Hispanic-American Costume Designer. Initially beginning my journey as a visual artist, I have grown to love the artistry and storytelling of costume design. As a designer, I find joy in choosing every detail of a costume even in the smallest of stitches. I believe it’s details that shape a character into who they are. I work in both traditional and digital forms of art and enjoy adding skills into my repertoire when possible. I also have a love for costume crafts such as breakdown artistry and fabric painting. I am committed to honing my craft, and my skills as an artist, taking any opportunity to learn new techniques and viewpoints from those around me. I hope that in taking these steps, I have been able to further their ability to effectively tell stories with my art! I graduated with my BFA in Costume Design from UNC School of the Arts in May 2024!