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Kensuke Sakamoto – Design Strategist & Service Innovator

About Me

I am a business and service designer with over 15 years of experience bridging creative design and strategic innovation.
Starting my career as a graphic designer, I evolved into a UX/UI and service design professional, supporting projects across telecommunications, finance, real estate, and the public sector. My focus is on creating human-centered experiences that connect design, business value, and social impact.

Expertise

Business & Service Design – transforming insights into innovative services and sustainable business models
Branding & Experience – crafting meaningful brand strategies that align with customer and employee experience
Urban & Community Innovation – driving local revitalization through design, multicultural coexistence, and digital transformation
Creative Direction – leading cross-disciplinary teams in visual design, media, and storytelling

Philosophy

I believe in “Design as Cultivation” – nurturing ideas, people, and communities through design. My work blends analytical frameworks with emotional storytelling, aiming to create services and brands that are not only functional, but deeply resonant with people’s lives.

Highlights

Led CX improvement initiatives for major consumer brands
Developed community-based revitalization projects in Tsukuba and Ibaraki, integrating urban planning and citizen participation
Founder of ichien Inc., a design and creative agency focused on sustainable branding, local innovation, and digital solutions

Beyond Work

At 4 AM, when inspiration strikes, I map out ideas for new ventures, community design projects, and sustainable business models. I also invest in suburban real estate, combining design thinking with long-term asset strategies.

Vision

To design a world where creativity and strategy empower communities, businesses, and individuals to thrive together.

Kensuke Sakamoto

A Life Devoted to Design – All in for the Logo

My design career began in Ibaraki, far from the bustling epicenters of Tokyo. Yet from the very start, I poured everything into one belief: a logo is not just a mark—it is the soul of a brand.

From local businesses to major corporations, I took on challenges across industries and scales. One of my defining projects was with the president of a company generating ¥80 billion in annual revenue. For months, I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the CEO, crafting a vision from the ground up. From designing the logo to producing the entire retail experience, I led a ¥28 million branding initiative that transformed into one of the region’s most beloved and successful shops.

Recognition soon followed—I became a two-time recipient of Japan’s Grand Prize in Newspaper Advertising, an honor that affirmed not just skill, but the impact of design when tied to purpose and perseverance.

Today, I run my own design company, building bridges between creativity, strategy, and community. My philosophy is simple yet relentless: design is not decoration—it is destiny.

And in the quiet moments? My hobby is cleaning restrooms. It keeps me grounded, reminding me that true design is found not in the pursuit of perfection, but in the discipline of care.

Here, I share reflections on logos, design-driven leadership, and the future of branding.

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