Originally from MIYAKE DESIGN STUDIO, where he spent nine years managing products, graphics, and communication design for ISSEY MIYAKE, Kaie Murakami established SIMONE in 2003. He soon began working with various other businesses, scaling social impact, and practical branding that fused together elements of design, business, and technology. In 2011, he launched the SAVE JAPAN! PROJECT in order to contribute to disaster relief efforts for the Great East Japan Earthquake through cultural projects.

Work: Christian Dior, Adidas, Shiseido, Isetan Mitsukoshi (business development and product design); LOUIS VUITTON, BURBERRY, LEXUS (campaign building and communication design); GSIX, BARNEYS NEW YORK, and UNITED ARROWS (Website & APP development); among others.

Awards: Cannes Lions GOLD, NY ADC GOLD, AUDI INNOVATION AWARD, etc.

He has served as a judge for the 2019 RED DOT AWARD, the 2019-20 Japan Design Promotion Foundation Good Design Award, the Good Design Award for Focused Issue, and the ACC TOKYO CREATIVITY Design Award. He has written numerous articles on art, design, and business for notable media such as VISIONARY by LEXUS, and the Harvard Business Review.

After working in sales and planning at The Industrial Bank of Japan, Limited. (currently Mizuho Bank), I served as Managing Executive Officer of Mizuho Corporate Bank and Vice President of Mizuho Securities. In 2008, I joined Unison Capital as a Partner, where I engaged in developing investment opportunities by utilizing my extensive network cultivated in the industrial and financial sectors. I have achieved value enhancement for numerous portfolio companies, including those undergoing business revitalization. I founded Topaz Capital in 2012 and assumed the position of Full-time Director in April 2018. Currently, as an Investment Committee Member of Topaz Debt Fund, I am dedicated to supporting the growth of companies and promoting investment strategies.

I joined The Bank of Kyoto, Ltd. in 2014 and engaged in corporate loan business. After that, I joined Yamada Consulting Group in 2016 and engaged in M&A advisory services, working on a wide range of M&A deals from privately held companies to listed companies. In 2022, I was in charge of a real estate service company at Japan Private Equity, and in 2023, I joined Topaz Regional Partners.

Takuya Katsumata partners with clients and guides them from business development to production. Before joining SIMONE, he worked as an interactive designer before moving into director/producer roles, and later, transitioning into the web industry. He has managed numerous national clients and excels at communicating from a consulting perspective, based on his extensive knowledge of the industry. He always looks for positive change, seeking to create a world where people are connected to one another and can take on any challenge.

I joined SIMONE after working in the advertising creative and promotion production business, and then in the business planning and development production business related to urban development such as commercial facilities. I am engaged in total brand production from business development to execution of PR and promotions, focusing on commercial areas such as fashion, lifestyle, and food & beverage. Focus on the user experience and the place and brand. My hobbies include music, art, gourmet food, outdoor activities, and martial arts.

Born in Chiba, Mao Ozawa majored in textile design at Musashino Art University. She joined SIMONE after experiencing sales, clothing design and promotional tool design at a clothing manufacturer, and editing a real estate magazine. She is involved in media design, content planning, editorial direction, and project management. She aims to broaden her view and design business strategies – connecting brands with their customers – and helping resolve issues faced by her clients and society.

Haruka Hirano majored in modern and contemporary architecture and urbanism at Tohoku University, exploring the intersection of architecture and media to connect people and society through design. She gained extensive experience in projects ranging from urban development and commercial facilities to tourist trains, offices, and restaurants before assuming her current role. She leads initiatives that accelerate the globalization of Japanese companies and brands, aiming to create “Good Design” that harmonizes social and economic value. Her work spans integrated spatial projects, as well as the development of new businesses and hubs, advancing practical brand consulting and brand communication.

Born in Osaka and grew up in Kanagawa. She studied luxury branding and marketing at ISC Paris business school in France. After that, she started her career at a PR agency as an intern and joined an advertising agency specializing in fashion, cosmetics, watches, and jewelry. She has experience as an account manager, marketer, and strategic planner. She specializes in market research and customer insight analysis. She solves brand issues by considering multiple perspectives of brand strategy and design strategy. Her hobbies are Japanese calligraphy and contemporary dance. Her favorite color is green.

Originally from Tokyo, Masahiro Daimon always tries to bring humor into his ideas and lifestyle. He started his career as a production manager for global projects, handled commercial work with beverage and entertainment companies. He decided to move to Toronto in 2018 to study digital creative direction at Centennial college. During this time, he experienced an ad competition with a diverse group and his direction brought the team to become a finalist. After spent time as a freelance art director in Toronto, he moved back to Tokyo and joined SIMONE. He tries to achieve being a creative director with a wide range of knowledge that is beyond production to creative.

Born in Tokyo. Graduated from Japan Women’s University. She has worked as an editor for an independent culture magazine and a men’s fashion magazine”Them magazine”, and has been involved in magazine production, including planning, photography direction, interviewing, writing, and proofreading, with a focus on print media. She aims to create a positive impact through business by engaging society and fostering a new sense of value and awareness. In the future, I would like to become a producer with a broad perspective, including creative planning and brand strategy. I admire Mieko Kawakami and Virginia Woolf.

Graduated from Aoyama Gakuin University, Faculty of Law. After working in space and media planning and management, worked as an editor for the magazine Lula Japan. In addition to her consistent responsibilities from planning to photo shooting direction and writing, she is also involved in branding for various clients in the fashion and beauty fields. With the belief of “delivering creativity where there is no creativity,” she joined SIMONE to deepen her strategic thinking on branding that works beautifully. With the strength of his diverse production experience and warding across media, he aims to be a producer with an editorial viewpoint that connects people, things, and places in a rich way. Her energy comes from music and fragrance.

Born in Yokohama and raised in Shonan. After working in sales and planning for an accessory store, she became interested in the production process of “things you can’t take out of your hands” and switched to a web production company. While experiencing the management of corporate and e-commerce sites of large commercial facilities, she joined SIMONE because she admired its output and world view. With a creative and diverse background in fashion, beauty, and prop production for photo shoots, she aims to become a professional producer with excellent web production skills and cooperative spirit, while constantly growing in her work at SIMONE. Her hobby is petting her dog, watching anime, and creating illustrations.

Influenced by the visual expression of Korean culture from an early age, she studied photography, editing, and design work for publications in general at a design company while in college.
She has also been interested in curating and communicating art works, and after graduation, she has been working as a PR with a flexible communication style and managing progress on a project-by-project basis while being exposed to domestic and international brands. From her career to date, she values “connecting with people” and “capturing their thoughts” and hopes to deliver essential brand messages to users at SIMONE as well.
Her role models are Sarah-Linh Tran and Min Hee-jin.

Graduated from Aoyama Gakuin University, Faculty of Letters, Department of Comparative Arts. Her major was modern Western art history. While in school, she studied various fields of art, music, classical performing arts, and movies. She joined a web advertising agency after graduation, where she was in charge of advertising management, media planning, and article writing. She decided to join SIMONE to take on the challenge of “creating a place where consumers can encounter brands with empathy in a world overflowing with information. She aims to design communication that moves people’s hearts and makes them like a brand. She likes art appreciation and dumplings.

Naohide Inagaki was born in Tokyo, Japan. He graduated from the Department of Oceanic Architecture, College of Science and Technology, Nihon University. Prior to joining SIMONE, he worked at a design studio, an architectural firm, and an interior design company. He specializes in interior design from a comprehensive approach, including retail stores and offices, urban spaces such as public facilities and other architecture, as well as products such as lighting and chairs. He aims to create brand value – thereby expanding ‘total branding’ – approaching design from the users’ experience in the space itself.

Born in Fukui Prefecture. He joined SIMONE after working for a major boutique, producing and directing mainly in the fashion and lifestyle area. His strengths lie in producing not only product planning, but also creative direction and PR strategy, with a bird’s eye view of the entire project, combining strategy and creativity.
His hobbies are DJ, art, and baseball.

Born in Tokyo. I joined a publishing company after graduating from Rikkyo University with a degree in history from the Faculty of Letters. After working in advertising sales for a fashion magazine, I worked as an editor in charge of planning, interviewing, directing photography, and writing. Later, I joined the editorial department of a web media company because I wanted to focus on production on the web and SNS, which cannot be expressed on paper. I was involved in tie-up advertisements and visual production for fashion and beauty brands. I then joined SIMONE because I felt the need to create creative that maximizes the client’s value. Through visuals and copy, I want to create memorable content that moves the heart. My favorite things are sauna and KUSUMI TEA.

I am from Saitama Prefecture. After graduating from Sophia University, Faculty of Letters, Department of Newspaper, I became interested in the possibilities of design through media and joined a design production company. As an account planner and director,mainly for clients in the entertainment industry,I was involved in the design and production of publishing content, as well as planning and directing advertisements. I joined SIMONE to take on the challenge of strategic branding for a broader range of industries. In the future, I would like to become a multi-talented producer who can make suggestions from a flexible perspective, regardless of media, while keeping the brand experience that values “excitement” cultivated in the entertainment industry at the core. My driving force is cats, dancing and supporting a favorite.

Born in Tokyo. After graduating from university, I joined a production company specializing in web and video content with a focus on corporate branding. As a producer and director in the web domain, I was responsible for articulating core strengths and developing communication tools—including websites—for government agencies and enterprise clients. I joined SIMONE with the goal of delivering holistic solutions that maximize brand value. I enjoy music, reading, anime, and creating 3D content.

After graduating from Musashino Art University, he moved to New York and worked at a design studio, handling advertising, TV commercials, and branding for major U.S. cosmetics companies and leading European fashion brands. In 2011, he relocated to Tokyo, where he worked at an international advertising agency, overseeing TV commercials and key visuals for major cosmetics brands. After a period as a freelancer, he moved back to New York in 2017. There, he served as a director for Ralph Lauren before returning to Japan. In 2024, he joined SIMONE. Drawing on his expertise in design and branding cultivated in New York, he aims to expand his scope beyond fashion and cosmetics to explore new branding opportunities.

Momoka Hasegawa was born in Okayama. She majored in design at high school and graduated from Tokyo Women’s Art University. She has worked as a designer at a jewelry brand’s in-house design office, and has experience in creating shop tools, photography direction, and merchandise design. After joining SIMONE, she has mainly been responsible for projects involving visual shooting and graphics. In the future, she would like to create work that appeals to a wide audience, while focusing on human interaction.

Sawako Yata was born in Hiroshima prefecture. She graduated from Joshibi University of Art and Design with a major in product design. She worked as a designer for five years at a production company that specialized in developing editorial content, graphics, and visuals for fashion catalogs and offline media. She joined SIMONE to study visual production, starting with branding. She aims to prioritize and always be aware of the needs of her target audience, and has managed photo shoots, graphic development, and web design for fashion and lifestyle projects at the company. She looks to expand further into the digital realm and deepen her understanding of communication design to lead her clients and target audience in the future.

Born in Osaka prefecture, Naoki Mizobe graduated from Kyoto University of Art and Design, where he majored in typography. He began his career while still at school, working in graphic and publication design, with a focus on commercial galleries, international photo exhibitions, and stage productions. He later joined an independent advertising production company, where he helped plan and produce advertising and promotional tools. He has experience in brand tool creation – especially graphic and editorial design – as well as in developing brand guidelines and printing directions that considers current trends and sustainability. His aim is to create designs that align with contemporary society and emotional values.

Born in Tokyo, Shintaro Kamei graduated from the Faculty of Media Studies at the Tokyo University of Technology. After working as an assistant producer/designer, he became a video director, mainly in charge of fashion campaign videos, and has been active in creating music videos and commercials. He has experience in handling all types of work, from planning to shooting, editing and motion graphics. He specializes in photography that captures the strength of his models, and also creates pop expressions with animated illustrations.

Ayano Kamiyama graduated from the University of the Arts London, Central Saint Martins, with a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic and Communication Design, Department of Film and Photography. After returning to Japan, she joined SIMONE as a new graduate. She strives to work flexibly with social phenomena – utilizing the diverse cultural experiences from her time overseas as well as her communication and observation skills. Her favorite word is sokkon (the present). She wants to be a creator who values “the here and now,” turning every moment into a learning experience, and creating new value for the future.

Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Chen Yili graduated from an art high school, after which she went to the United States for two years. There, she rediscovered the “beauty of the Orient” and later majored in graphic design at Musashino Art University. Interested in the Japanese word shosa (action/movement), she aims to create imagery that touches people’s hearts. At SIMONE, she works as a shooting assistant, but also creates graphics/illustrations and website designs. She strives to acquire new skills to realize ideas that connect trends and ideals in society, and provide art direction to create beautiful and meaningful design.

Yuuri Fujii was born in Chiba Prefecture. Interested in fashion editorials, she attended the Kuwasawa Design School, where her focus turned to web design. She joined SIMONE after graduating. Her goal is to create designs that are gentle yet powerful, as well as maintaining good communication.

Born in Shizuoka and raised in Kanagawa. Graduated from Musashino Art University, Faculty of Art and Design, Department of Imaging Arts. While studying photography, computer graphics, screenwriting, and media art, she also produced live photos, artist photos, and music videos. She held a solo exhibition and sold out the zine she produced twice. After graduation, she has been engaged in digital content design, mainly websites, and hopes to use her experience in UI/UX to be involved in overall experience design that works beautifully, not only in site expression, but also in space, communication, system flow, etc. Her favorite things are games and sunsets.

Influenced by the photos and layouts of fashion magazines, she worked as an assistant at a design office that handled work in the same field while still a student. After graduating, she has been involved in a wide range of work from graphics for commercials and brand advertisements to package design, and from her experience in advertising design that conveys a brand’s identity at a glance, she strives to produce output that values ​​the fundamentals. I would like to use flexible communication to discover latent issues for clients and deliver excitement through designs that approach both logic and sensation. My hobbies are cooking and walking.

Born in Tokyo, the eldest of four brothers. Interested in commercials and music videos, he made a video in junior high school and showed it in front of all students. He majored in graphic design from high school through college, and worked as a sales associate at a fashion boutique. At SIMONE, he pursues the process of creating good design and how good design functions in society, and works hard on communication with clients. In the future, he would like to make use of the design and communication skills he developed during his studies and sincerely listen to clients.

Born in Gifu Prefecture and raised in a town rich in nature. Studied a wide range of design fields from his school days, including graphic, editorial, web, video editing, and motion graphics. In the process of working as a freelancer on lookbooks and video production for fashion brands, I realized the importance of designing from the upstream and expressing essential values to society, and joined SIMONE. Never forgetting the hungry spirit, he would like to continue to expand and develop his creative approach using both a broad perspective and attention to detail, and to create positive change in the world through design. My favorite things are saunas and kebabs.

Graduated from the Faculty of Law, Chuo University. Began activities as a YouTube director during my time in school. In charge of comprehensive planning, filming, editing, and analytics for channel design to enhance engagement in a wide range of genres such as business, entertainment, and documentaries. Looking for further growth, I joined SIMONE. In the future, I aim to deepen my knowledge in all directions, including creativity, strategy, and business, and become a creative director who produces outcomes that beautifully function for society. My favorites are Robert Glasper, Aime Leon Dore, and tacos.

Graduated from Musashino Art University, Department of Industrial, Interior and Craft Design. I have experience working as an interior designer specializing in retail and restaurant spaces, and as an in-house designer for an apparel select store carrying global brands. Joined SIMONE in 2011. With a focus on UI/UX, I specialize in integrated design that connects brands and users across tangible and intangible touchpoints, including space, graphics, video, and word. I am responsible for brand DNA and concept development, experience design, and creative direction for entire projects.

Yijen Lin was born in Taiwan, where her family runs a diner. After graduating from a local university, she started her career as an assistant to an interior designer. She came to Japan in 2009, with an interest in wabi-sabi – the Japanese concept of beauty – and simple aesthetics that appeal to the five senses, rather than capturing people’s attention with powerful visuals. After finished her master’s degree from Musashino Art University, she helped launch a company that publishes and sells art and photo books, where she was in charge of the direction of the e-commerce site and book design. In the future, she hopes to create UI/UX designs that move people. Her favorite food is pork ribs with rice.

Born in Hokkaido. He graduated from Kuwasawa Design School, majoring in visual design. While in school, he studied graphic design and creating music videos promotional videos, and other visual images at out of school. He was interested in SIMONE working total branding in a wide range of creative fields, and he joined after graduation. Currently, he works as an assistant, focusing on UI/UX design. Aiming to work across a variety of creative fields and to be able to flexibly respond to any project. In the future, he would like to become a designer who plays a part in “Good Design” that enriches people and society. His hobby is skateboarding.

Born in Tokyo, her roots are in Korea and China. Graduated from Musashino Art University, Department of Creative Innovation. At the university, she worked on window art and fashion shows, from planning to implementation, while developing essential thinking skills. Outside of the university, she gained experience in SNS content production under an apparel director and art director, and after an internship, she joined SIMONE as a new graduate. Through her output, she questions the common sense of the world and aims to expand people’s view of the world. Her hobbies include visiting spaces where she can share the experience with the people there, and leaving illustrations of psychological changes.

Born in Shizuoka. Graduated from Keio University, Faculty of Literature, Department of Human Sciences. At university, he conducted research on leadership and motivation from the perspective of cognitive and social psychology. While in university, he became interested in designing human emotions and experiences, and studied UI/UX design and UX research. After gaining experience as a leader in a student organization and working at a business company providing consumer apps, he joined SIMONE as an intern and then as a new graduate. With “Creative Confidence” as his motto, he aims to become a designer who can capture the subtleties of emotions and carefully design communication with people. His favorite phrase is “It’s a piece of cake.” His favorite food is cheesecake.

Graduated from Aoyama Gakuin University, School of International Politics, Economics and Communication, Department of International Management. Started my career at ISSEY MIYAKE INC., engaging in overseas sales and subsidiary management in the international department. I was also involved in the early stages of Maison Martin Margiela’s launch in Japan. After studying business administration and accounting, I joined SIMONE in 2005 to manage the business. I have been working on branding through web directing and producing. I also hold an international coaching qualification (PCC) after accumulating over 500 hours of coaching experience.

A graduate of the School of Commerce at Waseda University, Ryo Mogi worked in sales, customer service, and store management at a clothing retailer. Her experience in store performance management and human resource development brought her to SIMONE. She is currently in charge of legal affairs and recruitment at the company. In order to create a better work environment, she believes that it is important to maintain the perspective of GOOD DESIGN, and with this vision, she strives to stay flexible in her day to day work. Her goal is to hone her skills and become someone who can fully support SIMONE.

Born in Chiba Prefecture. She joined the airline industry as a new graduate because she was attracted by the meticulous service in the airline industry and the ability to provide the best service to customers in a limited time. In addition to customer service work, she was involved in the areas of recruitment, public relations, and education, and experienced the joy of getting to know the company. Later, she decided to join SIMONE in order to further increase her knowledge of human resources and to create an environment where all staff members can shine. In the future, she would like to study general affairs, labor relations, and human resources, and devote herself to being a behind-the-scenes force to be reckoned with. Her hobby is loving houseplants.

Riri Makino graduated from the School of Commerce at Meiji University and joined a local bank. She was in charge of over-the-counter sales and personal sales of financial products, through which she learned the basics of banking and customer service. Building on this knowledge and experience, she handles accounting at SIMONE. She feels that a creative perspective is necessary to perform tasks that integrate general affairs, human resources, and accounting, which broaden her own horizons and abilities. At the same time, she understands the importance of fostering creativity and originality. In the future, she would like to focus on strengthening SIMONE’s foundations, by resolving issues in the work environment as well as managing physical and mental health.

Born in Kanagawa Prefecture. While gaining experience in itinerary management at a travel agency, she became interested in more creative planning work and moved to a web production company specializing in recruiting. In the process of solving recruiting issues through progress management including information design, she realized the importance of a comprehensive viewpoint that overlooks the project, and joined SIMONE to learn integrated solutions. In the future, she would like to design the company environment from a creative point of view, using her flexible thinking and communication skills as her strengths, while covering back-office operations to grasp the overall picture of the organization and drive it. She loves nature and outdoor activities.

Born in Hokkaido. Worked in the apparel and cosmetics industry, gaining management experience as a store manager. Subsequently, worked for six years in human resources at an apparel company, involved in labor relations, recruitment, and training. At SIMONE, I aim to leverage the multifaceted perspective and communication skills cultivated through my previous experiences, as well as my expertise in maximizing the potential of people and organizations, to create new value that brings positive stimulation to SIMONE. My hobbies include saunas, supporting my favorite idols, and spending time with dogs.