I am a creative with a focus on helping businesses tell their story through the language of visual design.
I craft unique and relevant brand identity systems and visual communications for individuals and organizations of all sizes. Authenticity is at the forefront of my mind when I design. I enjoy working with multidisciplinary teams that hold high standards, cultivate inspiration, and have a good time.
I was born in Tokyo, and live in Washington DC since 1993.
My current work focuses on the craft of tying together human, physical, and digital interactions to create an engaging customer experience. My discipline crosses various media genres of environmental design and signage systems, as well as online products and social media engagement. From concept development to activation of design, I bring vision to life with visual design and storytelling.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Feb. 2008 - Present
Freelance Designer
12 years of consulting with clients from multiple industries enhancing their visual communication materials, strategizing and developing their brand identity, and producing original content for social media.
Clients:
JBG Smith: Communication design of leadership development materials
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC): Visual redesign of website
Sunstone Therapies: brand marketing
An Executive Coaching & Human Development firm: Design of visual identity
Side.com: brand marketing
Nov. 2019 - Aug. 2020
Marriott International
Sr. Manager, Global F+B Operations — Luxury Restaurants & Bars
Led the creative direction of restaurant and bar concepts for the luxury tiered brands within the US and Caribbean Latin Americas within the Marriott Portfolio.
Career Highlights & Achievements:
Visual storyteller for Global Food & Beverage (F&B)—brands including The Ritz Carlton, St. Regis, JW Marriott and The Luxury Collection.
Craft proposals with compelling strategic narratives bringing a proposal to life with exceptional presentation designs and influencing executive stakeholders and owners of Marriott Branded Properties.
Manage and produce content on Instagram sharing the stories of F&B Associates globally inspiring, connecting and elevating their careers and brands as well as attract new talent.
Create a strong social media presence gaining over 1K followers on Instagram for two handles within three months.
Own business development initiatives from start to finish working with multi-disciplinary teams and departments turning innovative concepts and ideas into reality.
Jan. 2016 - Nov. 2019
Marriott International
Sr. Manager, Learning + Development — Experience Design
Career Highlights & Achievements:
Established an in-house creative team overseeing the creative aspects of experiential learning programs, digital products and communication materials for the 700k associates globally.
Led the creative rebranding of the department producing content for experiential campaigns engaging the audience and increasing brand awareness.
Branding and communication efforts included the creation of visual concepts & identity for internal conferences and events; development of various speaker series and a leading producer role of an annual event held in the headquarter which brings over a thousand corporate associates together.
Sep. 2014 - Jul. 2017
Maki Shop – Fast Casual Restaurant, Washington DC
Co-Creator / Creative Director
Dec. 2012 - Dec. 2016
Black Whiskey – Tavern, Washington DC
Co-Creator / Content Curator (2013 - 2016)
Jan. 2009 - Sep. 2014
Kushi Izakaya & Sushi – Full Service Restaurant, Washington DC
Co-Owner / Director of Marketing and Design
7 years of experience building concepts for restaurants and bar in Washington DC with multiple responsibilities for the creative design and output while operating in a high-level managerial capability to ensure strategic ownership of creative assets and leading marketing production efforts for operational excellence.
Career Highlights & Achievements:
Developed the Maki Shop’s initial pitch and brand story based on qualitative market analysis which led to securing $500k of investment funds to start the business.
Created both the restaurant concept and brand story for Kushi Izakaya & Sushi securing $600k in funding to start the business.
Co-wrote multiple business plans and restaurant concept designs for a brick-and-mortar store; food truck experience; and branding for both interior space and environmental graphics.
Directed creative teams in developing the brand identity, designed environmental graphics and signages for the store, produced social media content, and created online and print materials.
Led strategic marketing campaigns executing design collaterals to promote the business.
Jun. 2002 - Feb. 2008
AOL
Art Director, AIM Programming & AOL Network (2005 - 2008)
Sr. Designer, AOL Network (2004 - 2005)
Designer, Studio@AOL (2002 - 2004)
Career Highlights & Achievements:
Lead a team of Senior Designers responsible for AIM and AOL products and applications.
UX and Visual Design conceptualizing future-state portal websites of AOL and AIM.
Worked with stakeholders, product owners, developers, project managers practicing Agile Methodology.
Design liaison coaching agile method for the Bangalore India AOL IT Team increasing success rates in improved quality and speed to the market, boosting both the motivation and productivity of the teams.
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
American University
BA, Graphic Design (1995 - 1999)
Corcoran School of the Arts and Design
Continuing Education, Adobe After Effects (2001)
IDEO U
Certificate, Storytelling for Influence (2016)
MediaStorm Master Class
Documentary video and multimedia storytelling approaches (2020)
KEY COMPETENCIES
Brand Identity / Creative Strategy & Direction / Service Design / Customer Loyalty / Design Thinking / Agile Methodology / Adobe Creative Cloud / Visual Identity & Design / Data Visualization / Visual Storytelling / User Experience / Art Direction / User Interface Design / Web Design / Concept Development / Digital Strategy