Yuko Shimizu (清水 侑子 Shimizu Yūko) (born 1 November 1946) is a Japanese designer who created Hello Kitty.
She was born in Chiba prefecture. After graduating from Musashino Art University, she released Hello Kitty at Sanrio in 1974.
Since retiring from Sanrio in 1976, she has been working as a freelance designer. The other characters she has created include Angel Cat Sugar and Rebecca Bonbon. She has also published some picture books.
New York-based contemporary Japanese illustrator Yuko Shimizu (清水 裕子 Shimizu Yūko) is no relation.