Sayumi — UI/UX designer in Japan after Red Academy Vancouver (ex-consulate)
Seattle consulate staff (3-year term) → Red Academy UI/UX in Vancouver → returned to Japan; hired at QVC then SKYDEA in international design settings.
UI/UXデザイナー（帰国後就職） · QVC
Profile
Sayumi is a UI/UX designer who studied in Vancouver then built her design career in Japan. Attributes: designer, career changer (未経験), company QVC (also later SKYDEA in article), theme return-japan; city/monthsToOffer not stated.
Current role
At interview time: UX/UI designer path in Japan culminating at **SKYDEA** (international environment; hired partly because the team needed a Japanese-speaking designer). Earlier Japan hire: **QVC**—mainly localizing US-origin designs into Japanese; English designer communication valued. Also began **side work for a Canadian company** around the QVC offer timing. Brief **~3-month** stint at another Japan firm via GoodPatch ReDesigner (left over overtime / culture fit).
Japan experience
Career changer into UI/UX. Not a Japan design IC before Canada. Prior role: **Seattle consulate staff** on a fixed **3-year** contract (successor context to Frog interviewee Hideto); considered Foreign Ministry vs a skills-based pivot. Wanted tangible craft skills; Hideto and Seattle UX acquaintances pointed her to UI/UX. Consulate tenure length beyond the 3-year term framing is not separately stated.
Path to Canada / North America
Trialed **Red Academy** and BrainStation in Vancouver (near Seattle); chose Red for **Co-op** / work-experience visa practicality despite liking BrainStation’s curriculum. Took a **1-year UI+UX** course with a following Co-op year planned. Canada also preferred vs US bootcamps for Co-op/PR optionality. Red Academy later closed (mentioned as a major disruption). Studied intensely outside short daily classes. COVID-era Vancouver memories were mixed; she ultimately prioritized returning to Japan for work rather than staying.
Outcome
Returned to Japan and got UI/UX roles as a career changer—interview process shortened (3 steps→2) partly due to scarce English-capable designers. QVC → short other firm → SKYDEA. Demonstrates Canada study → Japan international design employment rather than local Canadian hire.
Based on Frog’s Japanese-language interview. English summary for scanning (partners / employers). Original interview (Japanese)
themes include return-japan. company attribute lists QVC; article also covers SKYDEA.