Education

 

University of St Andrews

St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, UK

September 2012 - November 2013

Master of Letters (MLitt) Degree

School of Management 

Managing in the Creative Industries 

• Dissertation: The Use of Brand Management in Particular through Colour and Design in Different Areas of the Market: A Case Study of Apple Inc. in the United States and Japan

 

At the University of St Andrews I learned how to develop marketing strategies, pitch ideas and events, manage events, create advertisements for events, and much more. In order to combine my BA art history degree and my newly acquired knowledge in marketing, I did a case study on Apple Inc. as a part of the dissertation that I wrote. I researched how brand management was used in companies, in particular through colour and design, in different areas of the market for its products which lead to brand loyalty, image, etc. I investigated Apple Inc.'s market in both Japan and the United States. It was of great interest to me that the simple colours of black and white were options for the products but also along with the incorporation of other colours (depending on the product). The valuable part of this research was that these colours and designs seem to be working in both Japan and the United States even though there are cultural differences, such as the different meanings of colour in cultures.  This dissertation enabled me to use my knowledge in art and management as well as incorporating my experiences from living in both Japan and the United States. 

 

Dissertation Abstract: 

This research serves to assess the question of, how do companies use brand management, in particular through colour and design, in different areas of the market for its products? A case study of Apple Inc. in the United States and Japan. Two different theories about colour were investigated; the innate colour belief theory and the learned colour belief theory. Another aspect of brand management is design and it consists of looking at the importance of emotional design which is about functional design, aesthetic design, and how the customers perceive themselves when purchasing the product. A case study on Apple Inc. was conducted in order to assess how they incorporated this into their brand management. The data looked at was through Apple Inc.’s company reports, SWOT analyses, product reviews, product release dates, and product images. This was analysed and it was concluded that, especially when there are different markets involved, colour and design in products in brand management is crucial.

 

 

Hamilton College

Clinton, New York, USA

Aug. 2008 - May 2012 

Bachelor of Arts Degree 

Major: Art History

Minor: Fine Arts, Japanese

• Thesis: Reflection of the World: Advertisement Art

 

At Hamilton College, a liberal arts school, I had the chance to try many different classes as well as activities. I was able to take science courses as well as taking the art history courses for my major. I was also given to opportunity to create my own project for my art minor and as you may see in the "Projects" tab on this website, the theme for my paintings was emotions seen at the airport.

 

For my thesis, "Reflection of the World: Advertisement Art", I pursued my interest in the fine arts and incorporated it into advertisement art while trying to define the word "art", a widely debated subject. 

 

University of York 

York, England, UK

Study Abroad: January - July 2011

• Courses: Portraiture in 18th Century England, The English Country House

 

For my 3rd year at Hamilton I decided to study abroad for the second semester at the University of York. ​I was able to both study and travel and experience the culture in the UK. During my art history courses, I was able to see the art work through trips to the museums as well as being able to visit English country houses. I was able to adapt easily to the new culture and these experiences have made me try new things and I have realized my capability to quickly adapt to unfamiliar areas. 

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)

Providence, Rhode Island, USA

June - July 2010 University of York 

• Courses: Print Design Overview, Digital Tools for Print Design

 

​As I was interested in design I took the opportunity to take courses at RISD in order to learn more about it. In the Print Design Overview course, I learned about the process that designers go through such as putting all thoughts and ideas into a journal in order to see how the end design was produced. During this course I created a journal to create art designed for cafes. The outcomes and parts of the journal can be seen in the "Projects" tab on this website. During Digital Tools for Print Design, I learned how to use Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop. 

 

 

Pomfret School

Pomfret, Connecticut, USA

2004 - 2008 

 

​At this high school, I was a boarding student as I live in California. I learned to travel by myself and to live away from my family. It was a great opportunity to test out my independence before college. Here, I tried many different sports and discovered one of my favourite sports to play, Squash. I was also given the opportunity to improve my abilities in drawing and painting which is a major part of my life. Another extracurricular that I followed was the Environmental Club where I first experienced my ability to lead groups as I became the president of the club. 

 

 

 

 

Work Experience

 

Freelance at Incs Co.

Ojai, CA & Ghent, Belgium                                                    

September 2014 - present

Graphic Designer/Artist. Doing freelance graphic design for various things such as wedding invitations and stationery. See www.incsco.com/YOKO for all creations.

​

Stitch & Needle

New York, NY                                                          

September 2014 - September 2016

Graphic Designer. Designing the new online start-up fashion company's advertisments and various layouts on Adobe Creative Suite. Tasks also include working on the shop's website such as altering all photos, creating banners, inputting numbers and names, and creating videos.

 

ADK America

Los Angeles, CA                                                          

March 2014 - August 2014

Graphic Design Intern. Working on projects for the client services department as well as for the creative team by writing briefs, correcting the English of back translations (from Japanese), booking models for events, creating designs for beer tap handles, writing company reviews for potential sponsoring clients, creating business cards, and much more. 

 

Cath Kidston, Covent Garden

London, UK                                                          

Oct. 2013 – Dec. 2013

Sales Assistant. Greeting the customers, making sure to offer the best advice for them, answering their questions, working at the till, making sure that the store is kept tidy at all times, and helping to organize the stock room.  

 

Singtex Industrial Co., Ltd.

New Taipei City, Taiwan (R.O.C.)        

Summer 2012

Intern. Worked on Singtex’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report with a final presentation for the CEO and took classes about the production of their textiles and the textile industry.   

 

Emerson Gallery

Hamilton College, New York, USA

2010 - 2011 

Gallery Attendant. Ensuring the safety of the art displays at the gallery; monitoring and attending to the visitors. 

 

Equals 4., Inc.

New York, New York, USA

Summer 2010 - 2012

Intern. Worked as a receptionist and an assistant designer. Answered phone calls from clients, helped draw fashion sketches, and worked on projects. Learned how to work in a busy environment while under pressure. 

 

Bonner Leaders Program

Hamilton College, New York, USA

2008 - 2010 

Leader. Visited the Underground Café, an afterschool program for high school students, to teach Japanese, help students with homework, and with the college application process. Gained the ability to lead groups and was able to build my communication skills.

 

Peer Tutoring Program

Hamilton College, New York, USA

2008 - 2012

Japanese Tutor. Help students grasp oral, grammatical, and written skills. 

 

Hyatt Regency Kyoto

Kyoto, Japan

Summer 2009

Waitress. Waited on customers and helped organize the kitchen. Learned a great deal about the work ethics there, such as the high value of customer satisfaction, and the importance of every little detail. 

 

Education Communication Community (ECC)

Kyoto, Japan                                        

Summer 2007 and 2011

English Tutor. Taught English to 1st through 7th grade children.   

 

 

Extracurricular 

 

iona & yoko

Gent, Belgium 

2015 - present 

Co-founder. Creating by hand, canvas tote bags and 3D cards to sell ar craft fairs. Tasks include managing social media platforms, taking photos, using Adobe Creative Suite, creating advertisements, competition research, and much more.

 

Mentoring Program, School of Management

University of St Andrews, Scotland, UK 

2013 - present 

Mentor. Helping to mentor and guide prospective postgraduate management students and answering any questions they have.

 

Career Development Seminar

University of St Andrews, Scotland, UK 

2012 - 2013                                      

Student. Participated in career development seminars by the Careers Centre and received a Certificate in Career Development.

 

Asian Cultural Society (ACS) 

Hamilton College, New York, USA

2008 - 2012

Co-chair.  Lead and managed club to make sure goals and deadlines are met. (2011 – 2012)

Secretary. Took detailed notes of the meetings and attendance. (2010)  

Member. Helped the surrounding community become more aware of Asian culture by participating in weekly meetings and club activities.

                      

Hamilton Active Volunteer Outrach Coalition 

Hamilton College, New York, USA

2009 - 2012

Volunteer. Visited the local home for the elderly and assisted staff members with various tasks including spending time with the elderly and helping them move from place to place.  

 

Squash Team

University of St Andrews, Scotland, UK

2012 - 2013

 

Squash Team

Hamilton College, New York, USA

2011 - 2012