Born in 1999 in Lausanne, Richard Holzer is a Swiss-Japanese illustrator and comic book author. After graduating from the Geneva School of Comic Books and Illustration (ESBDI) in 2023, he continued his studies with a Bachelor’s in Illustration at HEAD – Geneva, during which he reconnected with his Japanese roots through an exchange semester at the Kyoto University of the Arts. In 2024, he received support from the City of Lausanne's Comic Book Creation Grant for his first book, HÔTEL MIRAGE, published by La Joie de Lire.
While traditional schooling wasn’t where he found his personal spark, that period still taught him something vital: the absolute necessity of having a space of one’s own to express oneself. Back then, his weekly drawing class was a true breath of fresh air—an anchor that kept him moving forward. Now a published and accomplished illustrator, that feeling of trust and breathing room is exactly what he works to recreate for his own students every day.
Having grown up as a big brother to his younger sisters, Richard has a natural knack for connecting with people, with a genuine passion for guiding teenagers and younger children alike. He brings that same familiar approach to teaching: plenty of listening, a reassuring presence, and a commitment to calmly explaining the "why" behind things. Whether a student wants to structure a manga page, sketch a portrait of a loved one, or bring the wildest imaginary creatures to life, he adapts to each individual project. In the classroom, he strikes the perfect balance: helping students progress technically while giving them the space they need to let their own creativity run free.