I'm Yodai,
I'm Yodai, a
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Product Designer
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specializing in human-centered design
and visual storytelling.
specializing in human-centered design and visual storytelling.
Product Designer
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I’m a senior designer with 7+ years of agency experience crafting user-focused products and services for global brands like Google and Meta. My expertise lies in transforming research insights into engaging visual narratives and intuitive user experiences.
I've honed my strategic and empathetic design approach through my consulting experience at Smart Design, and during my education in Human Centered Design at Cornell University.
I'm based in New York City and Copenhagen, and currently open to opportunities that are remote or based in NYC.
My Experience
My Skills
Strategy
User interview & usability test
Workshop planning & facilitation
User persona & journey map
Product strategy & roadmap
UX Design
Wireframe & prototype
User interface design
Web & mobile design
Visual Design
Design system
Brand & art direction
Presentation design
Packaging design
Marketing & social media design
Illustration
Photography
Creative direction
Digital & analog photography
Portrait, fashion & product photography
Photo editing
Cyanotype
Strategy
User interview & usability test
Workshop planning & facilitation
User persona & journey map
Product strategy & roadmap
UX Design
Wireframe & prototype
User interface design
Web & mobile design
Visual Design
Design system
Brand & art direction
Presentation design
Packaging design
Marketing & social media design
Illustration
Photography
Creative direction
Digital & analog photography
Portrait, fashion & product photography
Photo editing
Cyanotype
Strategy
User interview & usability test
Workshop planning & facilitation
User persona & journey map
Product strategy & roadmap
UX Design
Wireframe & prototype
User interface design
Web & mobile design
Visual Design
Design system
Brand & art direction
Presentation design
Packaging design
Marketing & social media design
Illustration
Photography
Creative direction
Digital & analog photography
Portrait, fashion & product photography
Photo editing
Cyanotype
Awards
Driverless Future Challenge — Finalist
In 2017, Blank Space, the City of New York, New Lab, AIANY, and Fast Company held a global competition to shape the impact of autonomous transportation in NYC. My submission with Lily Shi and Jiaming Zhang was selected as one of the four finalists out of entries from 25 countries. We were invited to present our idea, Urban Oasis, at NYU Skirball Center in front of a live audience of over 600 attendees.
See our work featured in major design publications:
Recommendations
"I had the pleasure of working with Yodai throughout his journey at Smart Design, from his early days as an intern to his current role as a Senior Visual Designer tackling complex strategic projects. Yodai consistently impressed me with his exceptional organization, proficiency in design research, and strategic approach to design challenges. But what truly sets Yodai apart is his infectious passion and the joy he brings to every team he's a part of."
Richard Whitehall
Partner, Smart Design
"I had the pleasure of working with and managing Yodai while I served as Executive Director at Smart Design, leading the company’s interaction design discipline. Yodai is a talented and versatile visual designer. He demonstrated well-honed skills in illustration and print design, as well as expanding his expertise to encompass both UI design and user research. Yodai is a naturally strategic thinker and designer, and it showed in the high quality and thoughtful work he delivered. He not only created a good rapport and trust with our clients, but also was a highly collaborative, proactive and reliable team member with a strong work ethic and positive attitude. Yodai was a joy to work with and would be a strong addition to any product design team."
Kelly Clark
Owner & Director, Citrine Studio
"Yodai is extremely passionate and is always looking for ways to contribute value to any given project or team. He is proactive when it comes to collaborating with fellow teammates and welcoming to new employees— this is one of the reasons why so many people enjoy working with him. Yodai is also responsible and dependable (never missing a deadline), and is always eager to push his design skills, thoughtfully considering and iterating based on both internal and client feedback. Last but not least, Yodai is a great presenter to clients, as he can clearly articulate all of his design decisions in a credible and strategic way. I have enjoyed mentoring Yodai and seeing him develop and grow over the years."
Stephanie Yung
Chief Design Officer, Zulu Alpha Kilo Inc.
"Yodai brings with him an infectious positivity, balancing a 'can-do' attitude with a deep creative spirit. I found him to be proactive, professional, diligent and consistently offer a unique perspective on the design task at hand - able to present the ideas behind his design in a very thoughtful manner to senior internal stakeholders. Our colleagues consistently applauded his commitment to the project at hand, considered approach to feedback and strong collaboration skills. A joy to work with, and a bright future ahead."
Kim Anderson
Managing Director, Octagon Australia
"I had the pleasure of working with Yodai throughout his journey at Smart Design, from his early days as an intern to his current role as a Senior Visual Designer tackling complex strategic projects. Yodai consistently impressed me with his exceptional organization, proficiency in design research, and strategic approach to design challenges. But what truly sets Yodai apart is his infectious passion and the joy he brings to every team he's a part of."
Richard Whitehall
Partner, Smart Design
"I had the pleasure of working with and managing Yodai while I served as Executive Director at Smart Design, leading the company’s interaction design discipline. Yodai is a talented and versatile visual designer. He demonstrated well-honed skills in illustration and print design, as well as expanding his expertise to encompass both UI design and user research. Yodai is a naturally strategic thinker and designer, and it showed in the high quality and thoughtful work he delivered. He not only created a good rapport and trust with our clients, but also was a highly collaborative, proactive and reliable team member with a strong work ethic and positive attitude. Yodai was a joy to work with and would be a strong addition to any product design team."
Kelly Clark
Owner & Director, Citrine Studio
"Yodai is extremely passionate and is always looking for ways to contribute value to any given project or team. He is proactive when it comes to collaborating with fellow teammates and welcoming to new employees— this is one of the reasons why so many people enjoy working with him. Yodai is also responsible and dependable (never missing a deadline), and is always eager to push his design skills, thoughtfully considering and iterating based on both internal and client feedback. Last but not least, Yodai is a great presenter to clients, as he can clearly articulate all of his design decisions in a credible and strategic way. I have enjoyed mentoring Yodai and seeing him develop and grow over the years."
Stephanie Yung
Chief Design Officer, Zulu Alpha Kilo Inc.
"Yodai brings with him an infectious positivity, balancing a 'can-do' attitude with a deep creative spirit. I found him to be proactive, professional, diligent and consistently offer a unique perspective on the design task at hand - able to present the ideas behind his design in a very thoughtful manner to senior internal stakeholders. Our colleagues consistently applauded his commitment to the project at hand, considered approach to feedback and strong collaboration skills. A joy to work with, and a bright future ahead."
Kim Anderson
Managing Director, Octagon Australia