Meet Hiromi kajima | Graphic designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hiromi kajima and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hiromi, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I was born and raised in Japan, and from a young age, I always saw myself becoming a teacher like my grandparents. Observing them in their teaching roles inspired me. When I entered university, I pursued a degree in the Faculty of Education, aiming to become a kindergarten or elementary school teacher. During my second year, I had the opportunity to engage in a one-month teaching practicum at an elementary school. It was an eye-opening experience where I not only taught classes but also gained insight into the realities of being a teacher. At that time, I couldn’t fathom still working there fifty years later, following a set dress code and commuting to the same location every day. This occurrence prompted me to reevaluate what truly matters in life.

Growing up under the influence of my parents, who manage a fashion brand, I developed a deep passion for fashion. I have always been interested in promoting women’s empowerment, advocating for fair and equal treatment of women in society, expanding their choices, and, above all, spreading the concept of “abundance” that I hold dear in life. In pursuit of these goals, I decided to pursue a career as a fashion editor in the media, where I could contribute and express myself. Despite lacking a background in art or design, I am genuinely grateful to my boss for believing in my instincts and entrusting me with tasks. However, a significant turning point arose when I received a project to conduct backstage interviews at the Victoria’s Secret runway show. Surprisingly, the person chosen for the task belonged to another department, capable of speaking English, rather than someone from the editorial team. Feeling frustrated and determined to avoid such experiences, I made the decision to leave my job and start fresh in America, immersing myself in the study of design and language. I was fortunate enough to gain admission to the Communication Design program at Parsons School of Design in New York. At Parsons, I had the privilege of learning a diverse range of practical skills, spanning from website and magazine design to motion graphics. Collaborating with talented fellow students, I came to realize that everything around me is meticulously “designed.” Airport logos are crafted for easy recognition, while product packaging is created to attract people’s attention and entice them to make a choice. I discovered that design has the power to solve everyday problems and serve as a bridge between products or services, opening up new possibilities and enriching people’s experiences. This work aligns with my desire to enhance lives and expand choices, a sentiment I strongly felt during my time working in Japan. Presently, I work as a branding designer at a design studio in New York. Looking ahead, I plan to embark on exciting fashion-related projects in both Japan and New York, so please stay tuned for what’s to come.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a graphic designer and branding specialist, what sets me apart from others is my unique blend of creativity, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of my clients’ needs. I take pride in my ability to create visually compelling designs that effectively communicate the desired message and evoke the desired emotions.

One aspect that excites me the most about my work is the opportunity to bring a client’s vision to life through visual storytelling. I enjoy collaborating with clients, understanding their goals, and translating their ideas into cohesive and visually striking designs. Whether it’s crafting a captivating logo, designing an eye-catching packaging, or creating a stunning website, I strive to exceed expectations and deliver results that make both myself and my clients proud.

While the journey to where I am today professionally hasn’t been without its challenges, I believe that overcoming obstacles is an integral part of growth. Each challenge I faced along the way has taught me valuable lessons about resilience, adaptability, and the importance of continuous improvement. By embracing these lessons, I have been able to refine my skills, expand my portfolio, and establish strong relationships with clients.

Ultimately, I want the world to know that my passion for design and branding extends beyond just creating visually appealing graphics. I am dedicated to helping businesses and individuals stand out from the crowd, build strong brand identities, and make a lasting impact in their respective industries. My commitment to excellence, creativity, and client satisfaction is what drives me every day as a graphic designer.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I moved to NYC and have been living here for 2 years. If my friends were visiting New York City, I would take them to my favorite vintage shops and museums. We would start by exploring the trendy neighborhoods of Williamsburg in Brooklyn and the East Village in Manhattan, where we would discover hidden gems and unique fashion pieces in vintage shops. Afterward, we would visit renowned museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art, immersing ourselves in the world of art and culture. I would also make sure to take them to the scenic skyline area, where numerous art galleries are open for exploration. It’s a perfect way to appreciate the city’s vibrant artistic scene and enjoy stunning views of the skyline at the same time.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am grateful to my former boss from when I worked at a fashion media company. I believe I would not be here if I hadn’t met her. Airi Hata had been working in the fashion editorial department for a long time. She was able to articulate the intuitive feelings and thoughts I had, and she made me aware of the existence of those ambiguous yet important emotions. Until then, I had never had the opportunity to express my creative ideas, and I thought those ideas and thoughts were just my own musings that I didn’t share with others. However, she consistently verbalized and accepted them, and that’s when I realized for the first time that those emotions were not just something I was contemplating on my own, but indeed existed in this world. From that point on, I gained confidence in my ideas and perspectives, and I began creating content that addresses people’s fundamental concerns and their interests. Even now, I highly value the experience I had back then and incorporate it into my design work. I believe that successful items, engaging content, and popular campaigns often conceal the elusive and untapped emotions that people have, and attracting empathy from people’s hearts depends on our ability to express them through words or visuals.

Instagram: hiromi_diary0122