Work samples
This section shows an overview of work experiences.
For more detailed case studies, please go to the featured projects section.
Client: CALTY Design Research
Years of engagement: 2014 - 2022
Project: Wakudoki
DATE: 2014-15 (6 months long)
GOAL: Develop a concept vehicle reimagining a fun driving experience.
ROLE: UX/ Interface designer (multi-modal interactions: physical, visual).
TEAM: 2 Design Researchers, 2 Exterior Styling Designers, 2 Interior Styling Designers, 1 CMF Designer, 1 UX/UI Designer, and 1 Chief Designer.
OUTCOME:
I led the concept development of the UI experience inspired by the connection between the horse and the rider (愛馬). A personal soft, tactile, gesture-based interface by the driver as they develop their driving relationship with the vehicle.
The vehicle was showcased as a far-vision concept in Japan in the form of a physical mockup and a promotional video.
Client: CALTY Design Research
Years of engagement: 2014 - 2022
Project: FT-4X
DATE: 2016 (4 months long)
GOAL: Develop a new adventure vehicle focussed on the needs of young adults.
ROLE: Research operations and ethnographic field research.
TEAM: 2 Design Researchers, 2 Exterior Styling Designers, 2 Interior Styling Designers, 1 CMF Designer, and 1 Chief Designer.
OUTCOME:
The concept vehicle was showcased at the New York Autoshow 2017.
Production model predicted for 2023.
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Client: CALTY Design Research
Years of engagement: 2014 - 2022
Project: EV Lineup
DATE: 2018 (4 months long)
GOAL: Research for the design of Toyota's first electric vehicles lineup.
ROLE: Trend research, interview experts, and creation of use-case scenarios.
TEAM: 2 Design Strategists, 2 Design Researchers, 1 Chief Designer. Part of a bigger team composed of other design groups within Toyota globally.
OUTCOME:
The lineup was announced in 2019 and production is predicted for 2023 (https://www.toyota.com/upcoming-vehicles/bz4x/).
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Client: Toyota
Years of engagement: 2014 - 2022
Project: Workshops
DATE: Yearly from 2014 to 2017.
GOAL: Host creative workshops for Toyota's various groups to learn design practices.
ROLE: 2014 - Activities planning, materials creation, and host/support.
2015 - Materials creation and host/support.
2016 - Activities planning, materials creation, and co-hosting.
2017 - Main host.
TEAM: 1 Design Director, 1 Lead Designer, 1 Graphic Designer, 2 Design Researchers, 1 Industrial Designer, and a series of experts we brought each year to give talks or host activities.
OUTCOME:
Bring together designers, engineers, researchers, and managers from different divisions of Toyota to learn and practice design methods.
In the period of 1 week, they were immersed in a highly participative workshop, exploring collaboration and creative tools.
Client: Toyota
Years of engagement: 2014 - 2022
New Mobility Projects
From 2016 to 2018 I led a series of experimental new forms of mobility projects, working with a small group of designers and researchers.
GOAL: Discover new ways Toyota could provide mobility to people, following Toyota's motto of mobility for all.
ROLE: Project Lead
TEAM: 1 Creative Director, 1 Design Researcher, 1 Design Strategist, 2 Industrial Designers, and 1 Graphic Designer.
OUTCOME:
As a Project Lead, I introduced the practice of speculative design and wizard of oz research methods to engage the team to explore non-linear mobility products and services. Our experimental activities on the streets of San Francisco and Oakland were fundamental for further research/testing in Tokyo - Japan.
One of the projects was further developed by an engineering group at Toyota and it was announced in 2022 at the Automotive Engineering Exposition 2022 Nagoya.
Client: TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Years of engagement: 2016 & 2018
Project: Blaid
DATE: 2016 (5 months long)
GOAL: Design the packaging, the protective case, and the onboarding experience for an assistive device (Project Blaid) that helps the visually impaired and blind navigate indoor spaces.
ROLE: UX designer (multi-modal interactions) and Inclusive Research.
TEAM: 1 Creative Director, 2 Design Researchers, 1 UX Designer, 1 Industrial Designer, and 1 Graphic Designer.
OUTCOME:
The deliverables were a result of designing with the users. We developed collaborative design sessions where we designed with blind and visually impaired users. Bringing unexpected solutions and breaking assumptions from the project Blaid stakeholders at TRI (Toyota Research Institute).
Client: woven city
Years of engagement: 2022
Project: Inclusive Guideline
DATE: 2022 (7 months long)
GOAL: Develop inclusive design guidelines and implementation strategies for the teams working on the development of the Woven City (a Smart city being built near Mt. Fuji in Japan).
ROLE: Project lead. Led the team in deep-dive research into the emerging field of inclusive research and inclusive design, addressing biases in the design process and the political aspect of this field.
Presented the project development and discussed directions with stakeholders (Directors at Woven City and UX design group).
TEAM: 1 Design Director, 1 UX Researcher, 1 Design Strategist, and 1 UX Designer.
OUTCOME:
Developed toolkits and activities to convey the inclusive design mindset, using local cultures to create a framework and context to communicate the inclusive approach to people from diverse backgrounds.
Client: Valeo
Years of engagement: 2019
Project: Voyage XR
DATE: 2019
GOAL: Develop a series of use-case scenarios for their new technology called Voyage XR
ROLE: Lead designer. Developed scenarios for the new technology and worked with an illustration artist to create compelling storyboards. Worked with voice actors to create animatics from the storyboards.
OUTCOME:
Storyboards and animatics were used by the Valeo team to pitch the technologies at CES 2020.
