About KANAKO
VALUE
Turning complex problems🌀 into
intuitive & user-centred solutions.✨
I’m a UX/UI Designer with 6+ years of experience in web design agencies, delivering user-centred digital products and websites across diverse industries.
I’m passionate about applying accessibility principles and building scalable design systems, leveraging strong research and prototyping skills to empower users and drive business growth.
Currently based in Dublin 🇮🇪 and eager to contribute my skills on an international level.
CLIENTS
Worked with 10+ enterprise clients
such as:
PRODUCTS
B2B SaaS platforms, Mobile applications, Tablet interfaces, Enterprise-level responsive websites
SKILLS
UI/UX Design
- User Experience
- User Interface
- Responsive Design (Mobile/ Tablet/ Desktop)
- Web Design (Layout and Grid Systems)
- Interaction Design
- Navigation Design
- Information Architecture
- Low-High Fidelity Wireframing and Mockup
- Rapid Prototyping
- Building a Design System
- Accessibility
User Research & Analysis
- User Interview
- Workshop
- Online Survey
- Usability Testing
- Marketing Research (Gap, Trends, SEO, Competitor Analysis)
- Data Analysis (Google Analytics)
- Competitive Benchmarking
- Define Personas
- User Journey Mapping
Visual Design
- Typography
- Iconography
- Color Schemes
- Motion Graphics
- Graphic Design
- Logo Design
Project Management
- Project Management (budgeting, scheduling, prioritisation)
- Cross-functional collaboration and communication
- Agile and Waterfall Project
- Rapid Iteration
Other Skills
- Human-Centred Thinking
- Design Thinking
- GTD (Get Things Done Methodology)
TOOLS
Design
- Figma, FigJam
- Miro
AI
- ChatGPT
- Gemini
- OpenAI GPT-3.5 Turbo
Coding
- HTML/CSS
- JavaScript (React)
- Storybook (UI Library)
I built and maintain this portfolio website myself 😄
and also created a fun side project: Generative-AI translation app.
Accessibility
- Google Lighthouse
- axe DevTools
- Alt and Meta Viewer
- Heading Map
- Figma Plugin: Stark, Color Blind, etc...
EXPERIENCE
Cayenne
Web Creation Agency - 2020-2024 in Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan🇯🇵 and Dublin, Ireland🇮🇪
I collaborated with leading enterprise companies, leading UX/UI for large-scale website renewals such as...
- Mitsui Real Estate: → Case study
- LINE: → Case study
- Canon: Led UI/UX Design for the Corporate website renewal. → Website
- Mitsubishi Electronic: Led UI/UX Design for the Corporate website renewal. → Website
Berryz
Web Creation Agency - 2018-2020 in Tokyo, Japan🇯🇵
Created websites with the brand design that are one-of-a-kind, based on clients/users' needs and market research. Specialised in SMEs corporate website renewals and exhibition websites.
Freelance Graphic Designer
2016-2018 in London, United Kingdom🇬🇧
Directed the design of printed materials and website assets to promote local startup brands, including those in the fashion, furniture, free local magazine, and cafe industries.
Case studies at Berryz and Freelance Graphic Designer are available in 📁Archive.
EDUCATION & ACTIVITIES
Friends of Figma
Event coordinator and volunteer - June 2025-Present in Dublin, Ireland🇮🇪
Proactively organising community events and supporting members. → LinkedIn
ADPList
AI-First Designer School - Aug 2025-Present in Dublin, Ireland🇮🇪
Proactively studying AI through course.
UX Design Institute
Diploma - Nov 2024-June 2025 in Dublin, Ireland🇮🇪
Completed a UX Design course, strengthening my skills in global UX standards and methodologies.
- Professional Diploma in UX Design: Completed in May 2025. → Case Study
- Professional Certificate in Designing for Accessibility: Completed in June 2025.
Kyoto University of the Arts
Bachelor of Art (B.A.) - 2009-2013 in Kyoto, Japan🇯🇵
Information Design, Image Media Course → Portfolio at University
Extra!
You can find more of my history on my previous portfolio website from 2015, built on Wix.com.
