I’m an experienced and empathetic design leader who brings teams together and helps them thrive. I have a diverse design skillset, and enjoy mentoring and managing interdisciplinary designers, guiding the team to create a UX that seamlessly connects brand and product experiences. I believe that understanding business goals is essential for effective design, and I excel at working within constraints to achieve impactful results.

I'm known for a collaborative leadership style and strong communication skills, which help me build relationships with cross-functional partners and foster an environment where creativity can flourish. I’m comfortable navigating between high-level design strategy and nuanced details. A visual designer at heart, I love beautiful typography, detailed design systems, and fresh, unexpected color palettes. Recently, I've taken on a new creative challenge by experimenting with landscape design in my garden.

Strengths
Design leadership and strategy
Hiring and team building
UX design
Visual design
Brand strategy and design
Creative direction
Design thinking
Agency relationships
Cross-functional collaboration

Contact
natalie.nakai@gmail.com