Ken is a multimedia designer and Art Director specialising in Graphic Design, Illustration, Animation, Web Design, Corporate Design and Advertisment Design.
Ken Sakurai Karner was born in Vienna. His mother Japanese his father Austrian.
“Coming from two different worlds that could not be further apart, feeling like I belong to neither of them I needed a way to express my identity struggle”
Ken discovered that the way of escapism, freedom and expression was through his hands. From sketching cartoons of his classmates in high school to graffiti writing on the walls of Vienna, this was the beginning of his creative journey. At the age of 21 Ken established himself as a freelance designer and illustrator in Vienna.
With hard grafting he founded the project / company “ICHIBAN”, with his brother Akira Sakurai.
As ICHIBANS Art / Creative – Director Ken was working for Ad Agencies and an array of different types of clients, which include: Nike, Red Bull, Coca-Cola, Xbox 360, Universal Music and many more…
After a few years he left his brother to continue his personal creative journey that would eventually take him around the world.
The desire of exploring and developing brought him to Silicon Valley where he was responsible for the visual appearance of two high profile Start-Up companies.
Adventure, curiosity and a sense for change drew Ken to London, New York and back to his roots in Tokyo where he could finally open himself fully and let his imagination run free….. getting stuck into new projects and opportunities.
Ken understands what it means to work from a tight brief when it’s required, or alternatively, brainstorming on some fresh ideas.
Still and forever restless searching for the right place Ken is open to a whole new world of opportunities and challenges…
embracing it all! 2009 baby!
www.kenkarner.com

Project Title: Davinci
Client: Nike Germany
Description: Draft for a Nike Billboard Campaign dealing with the topic “History of Air”, working alongside the international Fashion Fair “Bread & Butter” Berlin, January 2006, Interpretation of the Air Max 95
Agency: Ichiban – Ken Karner & Aki Sakurai GesnbR.

Project Title: Nike Commercial | Client: Nike Austria | Description: Animation video in the course of the relaunch of Nikes Air Force One. | Art Direction: Ken Karner http://www.kenkarner.com | Post Production: Ichiban – Ken Karner & Aki Sakurai GesnbR. | Creative Direction: Aki Sakurai | Animation: Ken Karner http://www.kenkarner.com, Aki Sakurai, Sito Schwarzenberger, Bastian Kissler | Editing/ Compositing: Hutan Vahdani | Sound: Lukas Schwarzenberger

Project Title: Jajah MTV Spot | Client: Jajah Inc | Description: Production of a TV Commercial for Jajah, an internet telephony provider based in Silicon Valley, CA / www.jajah.com | Post Production: Ichiban – Ken Karner & Aki Sakurai GesnbR. | Concept & Storyboard: Ken Karner http://www.kenkarner.com | Animation: Ken Karner http://www.kenkarner.com Bastian Kissler, Silvio Pauli, Sito Schwarzenberger | CGI: Bastian Kissler, Silvio Pauli | Editing, Compositing: Aki Sakurai | Sound: Buzz (Waxolutionists)

Project Title: Yasssu Teaser Video | Client: Yasssu GmbH | Creative Direction: Ken Karner www.kenkarner.com | Production: Hutan Vahdani www.b-br.at | Post Production & Direction: Eat My Dear www.eatmydear.com | Actress/Model: Florence J. Leigh (dj nightnurse) | Voice Over: Charlise Rookwood

DRIIS EP Artwork
Project Title: High Class Problems
Client: Hevlar Recordings
Description: EP Artwork for multitalent DRIIS also known as Hollywood actor Idris Elba (Obsessed, The Wire, American Gangster, The Reaping,…) www.driismusic.com
Photo: Mahir Jahmal Siddgi

Project Title: “Make music not war”
Description: Promotional artwork

The Logo – Japanese Sign – ‘Ken’ stands for ‘Health’
Not only in life also in his Art, Ken always strives for a healthy Balance.