Growing up, I was uncertain of my voice. I was different. I grew up Japanese and Taiwanese, was an Asian immigrant, and lived an alternative lifestyle. But I just tried my best to fit in. Since then, I've grown to appreciate the differences and know my voice is valuable and unique; it's my power.
Now I speak out.
I speak out not only for myself but others as well, especially for those voiceless that I might design for. I use this desire for empathy to create designs that are meaningful and relevant in the market place.
Design is my voice and my voice is to empower others.
Linked In
hellokenji.com
Résumé / CV
frog design
Interaction Design Intern
September 2011 - December 2011
Medical, financial services, mobile technology, and internal programs
Nonobject
Product Design Intern
September 2010 - January 2011
Luxury spirits, packaging, high-end sporting goods, kitchen cookware
Black & Decker HHI
Product Design Intern
September 2009 - January 2010
Bath and kitchen hardware, door hardware, and innovation initiatives
Restoration Hardware
Product Design Intern
June 2008 - September 2008
Indoor and outdoor decorative accessories
Nestle Purina Sponsored Project
Team Lead
January 2011 - April 2011
Art Center College of Designer, Pasadena, California
Developed a brand with product, packaging, advertising concepts for Gen Y pet food
L'Oreal Cosmetics Invitational Design Competition
Team Lead
October 2011
Developed brand identity, products and packaging for a new celebrity line
Art Center Design Storms
State Farm, future tablet application
State Farm, future of connecting customers
Avery Dennison, next generation home organization
2010 - 2011
Design Matters: Rethinking Nutrition Project
May 2011 - August 2011
Art Center College of Designer, Pasadena, California
Partnered UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism's News21 program to rethink the nutrition and food buying experience
Color, Materials and Trends Exploration Laboratory
Lab Assistant
January 2010 - September 2010
Art Center College of Designer, Pasadena, California
INSEAD: MBA Exchange Program
December 2009 - April 2010
France
Lead five demanding MBA students through the design process and took MBA courses in new business ventures, entrepreneurial strategies in emerging markets, market driving strategy, business planning workshops among others
University of California, Berkeley
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Material Science
2000 - 2004
Berkeley, California
Fudo Construction Inc.
QA / QC Engineer for foundation engineering company
June 2005 - July 2006
Opportunity Green Conference
Imajen Childrens' Exploration Tools
Black and Decker HHI
Produced winning bath hardware designs chosen through market research
Nestle Purina
Sponsored project was purchased by Nestle
Ahmanson Foundation Scholarship
Art Center 100 Scholarship
Art Center Merit Based Scholarships
Art Center Dean's List
Spring 2011
Summer 2011
Spring 2010
Summer 2009
Fall 2008
Art Center Student Gallery
Explorer Canoe Paddle
Fab + Mens' Evening Bag
Slick Fitness Motivator
Imajen Exploration Tools
Avita Diabetes Kit
Mars Drilling Researcher First place winner
NASA: Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts
November 2002
Kennedy Space Center
Publication: "A Novel Method for Cuttings Removal from Holes During Percussive Drilling on Mars"
2002
Publication: "Lunar Soil Mining Using Gas Flow"
Student Leadership Award of the graduating class
Graduating with Distinction
Imajen Childrens' Exploration Tools
Opportunity Green Conference
Notcot, international art and design blog
GBlog, modern design blog and magazine
Trendhunter, largest most popular collection of cutting edge ideas