About
TL;DR
I’ve been designing products for a while now, sometimes inside giant tech companies, sometimes as the first design hire at startups, and these days through Hold Fast Studio, my one-person studio that scales up when needed.
The Foundation: From Tokyo Boutiques to Big Tech
I got my start in Japan, helping build an interactive agency from a handful of people into a full-service shop pitching Fortune 500 clients. We were experimenting with some of the very first mobile experiences, long before smartphones reshaped the landscape. It was fast, messy, and taught me how to figure things out as you go.
Back in the States, I joined Microsoft to build global design systems before they were really a thing. At Google, I was one of the first designers in the Seattle area, leading redesigns of AdWords and analytics platforms before helping shape Android during the initial work on Material Design. At Amazon, I sketched the first Kindle Fire concepts, imagining how touch would change the way people read and play.
The Specialization: Complex Consumer Products
Cameras became a recurring theme. At Contour, I led design for one of the first action camera platforms. At GoPro, I owned the UX for a new form factor in the lineup. At Moment, I built the software side of the business from scratch, owning everything from interaction to visual design.
That focus on the intersection of hardware, software, and AI has continued. At Microsoft Research, I designed early conversational interfaces, and my latest work lives inside Frame.io at Adobe, where I’m shaping the future of creative collaboration.
The Practice: Hold Fast Studio
Hold Fast Studio is my way of plugging directly into fast-moving teams. I partner with founders to solve their most complex challenges, bridging the gap between high-level strategy and the hands-on execution needed to ship.
Much of this work happens at the 0→1 stage: EMS training suits, precision healthcare platforms, AI-powered tools. These are the projects where the path isn't clear, and my role is to provide the veteran expertise that turns a fuzzy vision into a real product.
I also act as a senior advisor to teams who have hired too junior or lack strong design leadership. I help them set the right foundation and avoid the common mistakes that slow startups down.
The Philosophy: What Guides Me
Design should be energizing. If the work feels heavy, the mission is off. I bring intuition, broad product experience, and a belief that good design makes the complex feel simple without losing its soul.
When I’m not working, I’m usually on a bike, a board, or a trail, because the best ideas rarely show up at a desk.
20+
years working with founders, agencies, and enterprise teams.
25+
startups, agencies, and Fortune100 companies partnered with.
100M+
customers have used products I've helped manage, design, & build.
