Japan design/frontend experience to Engine Digital in Vancouver via ITD
Print/DTP then web and CyberAgent-group design/frontend experience in Japan, short ITD college path, and an Engine Digital offer after a focused three-month search—about 3.5 years in role at interview.
デザイナー · Vancouver · Engine Digital
Profile
Yuji is in his 20s in Vancouver as a designer at Engine Digital (US/Canada design agency with New York and Vancouver presence). Attributes: experienced designer, college route, ~9 months to offer.
Current role
Designer at Engine Digital for about 3.5 years at interview time; roughly half design and half frontend (not backend). Example work includes e-commerce UX such as order-history improvements. Strong PM practices and regular feedback rituals noted versus his Japan workplaces.
Japan experience
University engineering background (e.g., C), not design school. Started as DTP operator at a print company (Photoshop/Illustrator/QuarkXPress). Moved to a tiny design shop as a web career changer (no prior web design/coding), doing estimates, design, and coding. Later joined a CyberAgent game-related subsidiary for concentrated design/art direction and then frontend expansion. Around age 29, saw working holiday as a last-window chance for North America.
Path to Canada / North America
Followed Frog guidance into ITD’s six-month course (plus Co-op window; course since discontinued) to prioritize speed to employment over long study. Strong English from long-term NBA/media exposure; placed in top English class. During school, continued remote work for a Japan employer evenings. Dedicated ~3 months of job search (portfolio + targeted applications), receiving Engine’s formal offer mid-December near Co-op deadline.
Outcome
Joined Engine Digital; remained ~3.5 years through interview. Pay described as clearly above Japan levels (no exact figure stated). Advises experienced designers to maximize skills and English in Japan before arrival.
Based on Frog’s Japanese-language interview. English summary for scanning (partners / employers). Original interview (Japanese)