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Mike Daikubara
Artist | Author | Designer| Educator
WHO AM I?
I am an ambidextrous designer that is equally comfortable with the entire design process as a hands on designer, and as a creative leader managing and empowering team members.
A DOER + A LEADER
Bilingual/bicultural, strategic, and results-driven Creative Manager with global expertise in leading human-centered design processes, from research and conception to execution. Skilled in developing brand design strategies and collaborating with Consumer Insights, Brand Marketing, and Innovation teams to identify unmet consumer needs and create impactful products. An effective communicator and problem solver, known for building strong relationships with cross-functional teams and executive management, ensuring that design objectives, timelines, and cost targets are met while constantly being curious and staying aware of the broad marketplace for new ideas.
As a collaborative leader and mentor, I excel in directing diverse teams to achieve both company and personal goals. Passionate about the power of design, I motivate team engagement across product development team members, Marketing, R&D, legal, procurement, driving competitive advantage. Leading end-to-end design processes, I ensure excellence in execution until the final products/solutions are delivered for the highest consumer experience.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
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Execute as an ambidextrous designer, equally comfortable with the entire design process, both as a hands-on creator and as a creative leader managing and empowering team members.
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Lead the development of brand design strategies with a strong understanding of both 2D and 3D, delivering holistic brand-building solutions that drive sustainable growth.
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Create meaningful designs informed by small or large-scale research, with an extensive track record of managing and operating effectively in cross-disciplinary teams. Successfully brought hundreds of brand-appropriate products to market and hold over two dozen patents.
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Distill complex concepts into easily digestible elements for clear communication with a wide range of team members, including R&D, marketing, consumer insights, design, legal, and procurement. Empower team members to grasp and utilize the information effectively.
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Ensure clarity and alignment throughout the design process through a combination of visuals, written and oral communication, and prototyping with the ultimate goal of bringing simplicity to something that is complex.
DESIGN + URBAN SKETCHING
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Urban sketching (AKA sketching from observation of everyday life) is a passion of mine that led me to publish 10 books on this topic as well as allowing me to visually communicate faster and more effectively at design. Through sketching I'm not only capturing the beauty of what is seen but the meaning behind the subjects in everyday life as well.
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Design projects are approached the same way where I am trying to find meaning through research and beauty results from finding those insights and translating them into final design solutions.
Here's a short video of me promoting the values of design created during my time at Symmons Industries.
Places I've worked:
Places I've Studied:
Contact Me
For access to my Design Portfolio please reach out.
I’d be happy to share and connect with you!
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