Aoi — Graphic designer / art director (Canada then Los Angeles)
9 years of print/ad art direction in Tokyo; rare local full-time design hires in Vancouver and LA despite a tough market.
グラフィックデザイナー/アートディレクター · Vancouver
Profile
Aoi is a graphic designer and art director. Japan: Tama Art University (graphic design), then Tokyo ad production. Later worked full-time in Vancouver and Los Angeles.
Current role
At interview time she had returned to Japan after North America, aiming longer-term to run a design practice spanning US and Japan. In Canada she worked at design studios (print/booklets/posters; some email/Figma work). In LA she joined an ad agency on a training/intern-style visa after probation/remote onboarding.
Japan experience
About 9 years at a Tokyo advertising production company—started as graphic designer and progressed to art director—mainly Japanese print ads (e.g. station posters, talent visuals). English was not used day-to-day in that Japan role. Strong portfolio depth from Japan years helped interviews in Vancouver.
Path to Canada / North America
Left Japan for Canada in 2022 (prep while employed; departed ~3 months after resigning). Chose Canada partly due to Canadian-curriculum international school background. At Cornerstone in Vancouver took digital marketing rather than a basic design course to avoid repeating fundamentals. Job search: high volume applications (~100 for 1–2 replies); landed two Vancouver employers (often single interview). Later used a second working holiday window and moved toward LA when an agency invited her.
Outcome
Three full-time design roles across ~2.5 years in Canada and ~1+ year in the US. Returned to Japan after checklist goals were met; exploring US–Japan design entrepreneurship.
Based on Frog’s Japanese-language interview. English summary for scanning. Original interview (Japanese)
Employer-facing proof that senior Japan design experience can clear local bars even when volume response rates are low.