ABOUT ME
I’m Nikolai Fletcher (a.k.a. “ni:ko”, “niko4696”), an artist and graphic designer based on the west coast of Canada. I have an educational background in art and electronic music production, and industry experience as a senior graphic designer, working with several global brands. I’m extremely passionate about my personal artwork as well, which has been showcased publicly in cities such as Tokyo, Dubai, and Montréal. I currently work as a freelance artist, illustrator, and graphic designer, working on a variety of projects for clients.
I live a quiet life with my wife and cat, and I enjoy working on personal projects, listening to music, and playing “Soulsborne” games in my downtime.
INSPIRATIONS & INFLUENCES
My work is a blend of many influences, with my years living in Osaka and Kyoto leaving the biggest impression on me. Growing up, my fascination with electronica music, and its surrounding culture, not only shaped my taste, but also inspired the atmospheric quality of my artwork. My love of games also adds another layer of inspiration to my work.
Key influential creatives:
H.R. Giger (Painter), Zdzisław Beksiński (Painter), Ashley Wood (Painter, Illustrator), Tatsuyuki Tanaka (Animator, Illustrator), Hidetaka Miyazaki (Game Designer), Fumito Ueda (Artist, Game Designer), Ian Anderson (Graphic Designer), Yoji Shinkawa (Artist, Illustrator), Katsuya Terada (Artist, Illustrator), Richard D. James (Musician), Tim Hecker (Musician)
ABOUT IKEBANA HEAVY
"IKEBANA HEAVY" is a personal art project that has been in development for several years. It explores the theme of a post-apocalyptic society in which the Earth and its resources have been depleted and abandoned, leaving behind only massive machines owned by rivaling corporations. The project draws inspiration from the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement, known as ikebana, as well as industrial and mecha designs, which is where the name comes from.
ABOUT 4696 DIGITAL
Established in 2020, 4696 DIGITAL is the name of my independent art & design business.
Services offered:
Concept art, graphic design, illustration, 3D modeling, motion graphics, 2D/3D animation, logo design, typeface design, mechanical design.