Isamu Kamikokuryo

Isamu Kamikokuryo is a Japanese video game artist who works at Square Enix. He is known for his work on the companys roleplaying video game series Final Fantasy, for which he designed locations and characters. Among others, he was involved in the Ivalice Alliance and Fabula Nova Crystallis franchises. Kamikokuryo had initially planned to become an oil painter and illustrator but was inspired to join the video game industry by the release of Final Fantasy VII. His influences as an artist include realist painter Andrew Wyeth and photojournalist Steve McCurry. Kamikokuryo draws inspiration from his photography hobby and world travels.

Kamikokuryo was born on July 31, 1970. He originally aspired to become an oil painter and illustrator, but his hobby of playing video games had him interested in their emerging industry early on. With the increasing use of 3D computer graphics and the release of Final Fantasy VII for the PlayStation console, Kamikokuryo began to study design. After about three years, he applied at Square with a resume containing a photographed oil painting of his and was hired by the company in 1999.

Source: Wikipedia