Building

Trust

Through

Design

Hello, My Name Is

Takashi Hirakimoto

My Specialities Are

Branding, UX Design

© Copyright 2019  Open Bookmarks Co. All Rights Reserved.
Build Trust Through Design
Portrait, Takashi Hirakimoto

Photographer: Alex Waber

Story

I started my career as a graphic designer at an advertising agency in Tokyo, Japan. For six-year, I relentlessly dedicated myself to improving my skills, learning how to better meet my clients’ needs and expectations. Through this experience, my love for my craft only grew stronger; I thoroughly enjoyed the grind.

In 2006, upon retiring, Japanese professional soccer player Hidetoshi Nakata said: “Life is a journey.” His words made a deep impression on me. I realized that although my career thrived, my own journey had only just begun. I decided to uproot myself and move to North America to take my professional life to the next level.

When it comes to design, my goal is to effectively marry art and functionality to create high-quality ads. I strongly believe that design is a language and that through it, I can help my clients refine their branding and realize their vision. This work is truly meaningful to me; going beyond my client’s expectations has become second nature.

Meeting People Beyond Nationality.

Skills

I learned graphic design in a college for a year. In parallel, I took advertising courses. I liked the expression of advertising more than art. Advertising incorporates graphic and copywriting. It's commercial art.

We can enjoy design at the museum, bookstore even in the city. However, I doubt to improve design skills during daily life. After all, the real(urgent) work is the best school.

Illustration, Branding,Logomark, Photoshop,Logomark, Dreamweaver,Logomark, After Effects,Logomark, HTML5,Logomark, CSS,Logomark, Wordpress,Logomark, Sketch,Logomark, InVision,Logomark, Keynote,Logomark, Mailchimp,Logomark, Google Analytics,
Illustration, Branding,

Branding

"A brand is a person’s gut feeling about a product, service or organization." - Marty Neumeier

"Why do you need a brand?" I always ask a client. I have to make sure about a problem and a goal at the beginning. Once a client and I align a vector of the project,  I start to research about industry, competitor and user. I organize information, create contents based on what an audience needs and tell their story with an appropriate voice.

Illustration, UX,

UX Design

"Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works." - Steve Jobs

I believe that a design project has a certain answer. I apply user experience principal to find the answer. A client is an expert in their industry. I research a lot and ask question. I take each steps, research, user flow, brand attribute, persona, information architecture, wireframe, prototype before creating a design.

Illustration, Web Design,

Web Design

"People don't buy what you do. People buy why you do it." - Simon Sinek

Every business has to have a website. Every business should tell what you do and how you do. However, client sometimes doesn't have a mission. That's a problem. Nowadays, there are many types of business, BtoB, BtoC, DtoC etc. Whatever client's business is, I prioritize contents and express client's mission and voice on their website.

Illustration, Graphic Design,

Graphic Design

"Ultimately, the design is an attitude of the designer."

This is a fundamental, but important skill. print, web or digital marketing, whatever the output is, a designer has to know a hierarchy of information. This skill is not able to acquire at 1 or 2 years of college. A designer has to experience over and over again rather than knowledge. It's an aggregation of a lot of components.

Illustration, Digital Marketing,

Digital Marketing

"A beautiful graphic with no result is garbage."

I cannot guarantee to improve a profit, but I focus on a result. Therefore, I provide a marketing service, Google Ads and Facebook Ad. I define an appropriate keyword and design the process which an audience finds a client's product/service efficiently. I submit a report every 3 months, show the number before and after.

Illustration, Design Thinking,

Design Thinking

"Everyone is creative." - Creativemornings

Design thinking has a human-centered core. It encourages organizations to focus on the people they're creating for, which leads to better products, services, and internal processes. When you sit down to create a solution for a business need, the first question should always be what's the human need behind it?

Employed &
Volunteer

I've started my career as an intern. I could not do anything at that time. At each employed's experiences, I could improve my skills. However, once I overcome the wall, the new wall appears. There was no short cut in this path.

Work is not a duty. I don't work for money. I like the feeling of achievement with a team. It's reminded me to the meaning of life.

Freelance work requires a lot of responsibility, knowledge and accountability. These are important, but I love a team work as same as freelance.

Photo, Open Bookmarks Co.,

Open Bookmarks Co.

Design Consultancy *Freelance
Branding, UX Designer
2016.04 - Present  |  Vancouver, BC

- To providing design service for print, web, video and digital marketing.
- Research and analyze the scope of the project.
- Build trust through design.

Photo, Rock Design,

RockDesign

Design Studio
Visual Designer
2017.12 - 2019.07  |  Surrey, BC

- Created a visual identity which fits the print and digital environment.
- Developed design through research client's business and an industry standard.
- Provided value beyond the client's expectation.

Photo, Tourism Vancouver,

Tourism Vancouver

Tourism
Social Media Marketing *Contract
2017.03 - 2017.05  |  Vancouver, BC

- Enticed potential target audience to travel and Vancouver.
- Contents strategy development.
- Posted to social media and monitor engagement levels of a follower base.

Photo, Latincouver,

Latincouver

Organization
Visual Designer *Volunteer
2016.06 - 2017.07  |  Vancouver, BC

- Worked with a director, marketing team, and event planner.
- Built identity, including logo, business card, leaflet and event banner.
- Made a good atmosphere at the office.

Photo, Stage,

BEAUTIES OF 5 CONTINENTS

Organization
Visual Designer *Volunteer
2016.05 - 2017.07  |  Vancouver, BC

- Worked with a director and marketing team.
- Developed an annual campaign from concept to output.
- Enhanced social media impact.

Photo, Office, Y-Axis,

Y-Axis Ltd.

Design Studio
Graphic Designer
2009.09 - 2012.08  |  Tokyo, Japan

- Created poster, brochure, leaflet, flyer, postcard and business card daily.
- Took an initiative of a project to build a good relationship with stakeholders.
- Managed a design process, scheduling, budget and delivery.

Portfolio

2016 - 2019

Open Bookmarks Co.

Branding, UX Deisgn

Neighbour Post

UX Design

Japadog

Customer Ecperience

Sanatio Spa

Graphic / Web Design

Various Projects

Graphic / Web / UX Design

Clients

I sincerely appreciate the clients. I could contribute their business. It gives me the meaning of life. At the same time, I could learn a lot from them. In this journey, I always put on my best effort at that moment. I reflected on each project after I delivered. Then, I moved forward to the next project.

"Default to Yes."

My skills/experience is not always enough for the project. However, I strongly believe the possibility of human ability. I will reach and beyond a requirements during the project. I know I can do it through my experience. That's why I say yes!

Tourism Vancouver
Symetria Cryptocurrency Exchange
Calsoft ERP Japan
Unitaiyo OEM American Corp.
KM Pacific Investment Inc.
Japadog - JPN Style Hotdogs
Arc Interactive Inc.
Gabby - English Learning APP
Tiger Ring Construction
Blue Tree Management Ltd.
Kiyukai - Business Association
Sanatio Spa
Niconico Homecare
Gyoza Bar - Comfort Dining

JTB International
DNP - Dainippon Printing Co., Ltd.
Dentsu direct force Inc.
Hotel Nikko Tokyo
Lion Wellness Direct
Okamura Corporation - Furniture
Daiichi Sankyo - Healthcare
Lawson - Convenience Store
Shiseido - Cosmetics
Sony Insurance
Escrit - Bridal
Jaic - Human Resources
dinos - Furniture Catalog
Yha-Yha-Ya - Ramen Restaurant

Capabilities

I love learning something new. I use YouTube and Udemy.com. The Futur is my favorite channel. However, I know what the most important is.

"The real experience."

I faulted over and over again. That's why I could cultivate my skills.I don't afraid of failure. Otherwise, I didn't come to Canada. My curiosity is unlimited!

Creative Direction
Art Direction
Project Research
Branding
Product Naming
Visual Identity
Style guide
Brand Voice
Brand Collateral
Print Design

UX Design
Brand Attribute
Persona
Wireframe
Move Board
Prototyping
Content Strategy
Web Design
Webflow
Ads Campaigns

Philosophy

My life attitude comes from Kyocera Philosophy. I respect Dr. Kazuo Inamori who is a Japanese philanthropist, entrepreneur and the founder of Kyocera and KDDI.

He dedicated his life to accomplish the philosophy below.

"To provide opportunities for the material and intellectual growth of all our employees, and through our joint efforts, contribute to the advancement of society and humankind."

Value

Build Trust Through Design.

Purpose

Contribute to the client’s business growth.

Process

Approach a client’s issue through design thinking.

Goal

Better than before.

Big Thanks!

Thank you for taking the time. I always appreciate your constructive feedback.
If you have any questions, please reach me out. I look forward to hearing from you.
Ideally, I hope that we work together near future.

Best Regards,


Takashi Hirakimoto

Branding, UX Designer