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 8 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

Manyone

Senior Digital Designer

2025 – Now

New York

Manyone

Senior Digital Designer

2025 – Now

Freelance

Designer & Photographer

2024 – Now

Copenhagen

Freelance

Designer & Photographer

2024 – Now

Smart Design

Senior Visual Designer

2017 – 2024

New York

Smart Design

Senior Visual Designer

2017 – 2024

TwentyThree

Designer

2016

Copenhagen

TwentyThree

Designer

2016

Gensler

Design Intern

2015

Tokyo

Gensler

Design Intern

2015

MKThink

Innovation Intern

2014

San Francisco

MKThink

Innovation Intern

2014

Resume

LinkedIn

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

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

Want to work together? Message me to learn more about my experience and projects.

Contact me

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