May 12, 2026 · 6 min
— Independent product designer · Kyoto, Japan —
Currently working with a stealth fintech and writing about design.
Previously: Stripe, Notion, and three startups you've probably used.
— About —
I've been designing software for 11 years. I started in Tokyo doing brand work for hardware companies, moved into product design in 2017, and have been independent since 2022.
My work is mostly with founders and product teams at the seed-to-Series-B stage. I help define what to build, then design it. Engagements are typically 3 – 6 months, single-track.
I write quietly about craft on Studio Notes, garden tomatoes, and live with one cat (Mochi).
May 12, 2026 · 6 min
April 28, 2026 · 11 min
April 14, 2026 · 8 min
— Currently —
If you're a founder or product team working on something you care about, I'd love to hear about it. I take on roughly four clients per year.
Email (best)
[email protected]Calendar
Book a 30-min introOr DM
@ren_akiyama