MATT MAEDA

Matt Maeda is a Hawaii-born artist and designer whose work blends cultural storytelling with innovative design. Growing up in a diverse family, Matt’s artistic journey began at the age of three, illustrating anime with a unique Hawaiian influence. This early passion grew into a deep respect for Japanese and Hawaiian art, inspiring him to explore digital media as a tool for storytelling and cultural preservation.

With formal training at Windward Community College’s Atelier, Leeward Community College Digital Media, and Kapiolani Community College New Media Arts, Matt honed his craft across a variety of mediums. His portfolio spans logo design, book covers, desktop icon packs, visual business plans, and large-scale projects like mascot designs for Japan’s Niigata Prefecture, featured at The Honolulu Festival. Matt’s work is characterized by his “outside-the-box” approach—breaking down the essence of a project and reassembling it to create fresh, impactful visuals.

Beyond his design expertise, Matt’s passion for community-building led him to establish Imagine Hawaii (IHI), a social media group focused on preserving and sharing Hawaii’s rich cultural and family histories. This informal approach to storytelling fosters personal connections and captures the essence of Hawaii’s unique identity.

For Hawaii’s commercial clients, Matt’s art offers more than just visual appeal—it sparks conversation and connection. Whether creating mascots, culinary visuals, or esports branding, Matt’s designs combine creativity with cultural depth, delivering work that resonates with local audiences and beyond. His ability to craft meaningful, detail-rich art ensures each piece leaves a lasting impression.