I currently lead Mercari’s design system, the foundation every product team builds on. Over my time here I’ve helped grow the company from a startup into a publicly traded, multi-billion-dollar business — shipping core app features and leading some of our most successful marketing campaigns. I built the design system that saved millions in production cost, spearheaded a complete company rebrand, and played a key role in growing our US business, helping us establish a durable position in that market.

As the sole designer, I led every design initiative across product, video, and web. In parallel I ran the company’s finances, hiring, and accounting, and directed all marketing for the startup. I oversaw in-house projects from installation through product development, partnering with outside manufacturers to bring them to production — and successfully launched a Kickstarter campaign built around one of our flagship projects.

I brought startup experience and design leadership to a company starting from zero, shaping pivotal decisions as a core team member. I owned every design surface — branding, website development, and brochure production — and created the landing pages, produced the advertising, and refined the campaigns behind our marketing push. I also authored a comprehensive brand guideline that gave the company one cohesive identity across every touchpoint.

Designed and animated stage visuals for renowned artists including AKB48, featured on the 2013 “Kouhaku Uta Gassen” — the most-watched broadcast of the year. I used projection mapping to cast intricate layouts across the stage, weaving visual storytelling directly into the live performance. Working alongside a small team of industry veterans, I delivered under high-pressure conditions and a fixed broadcast deadline.

I drew on my international background to make one of the company’s core services markedly more approachable for a global audience. Working closely with internal teams across a range of in-house projects, I led development of an AR promotion that grew into a dedicated department, and helped propose and establish new divisions within the company.