Hello friends!
I’m a multidisciplinary design leader with over 15 years of experience translating ideas into impactful brand experiences through visual storytelling and human-centered design. My work spans in-house branding, experiential design, and advertising, blending strategic thinking with craft.
I’m a multidisciplinary design leader with over 15 years of experience translating ideas into impactful brand experiences through visual storytelling and human-centered design. My work spans in-house branding, experiential design, and advertising, blending strategic thinking with craft.
I’m a hands-on, proactive problem solver who thrives in fast-paced, collaborative environments. I often wear multiple hats to drive clarity to complex creative challenges. I believe the best work comes from an enjoyable process. I aim to create environments where creativity, curiosity, and a bit of fun drive great ideas.
After launching my career in New York, I now call the Bay Area home and enjoy being part of the vibrant creative community in Oakland, CA.
kayaono@gmail.com 917.868.5154 Linked In | WNW | Behance
EXPERIENCE
Waymo Senior Brand Designer (Contract via Linkage Design)
Mar. 2023–Present, Mountain View
Drive brand and product graphics to articulate the brand's mission during the brand refresh as Waymo's commercialization matures. Actively contributed to realizing the new brand guidelines by designing a wide range of PR and marketing collaterals.
• Develop an experiential playbook to guide external vendors that aligns with Waymo's brand refresh, ensuring a consistent brand experience.
• Develop a marketing collateral playbook and design tool kit to maximize efficiency and consistency across the platform.
• Collaborated with marketing and product teams to create compelling designs, including experiential marketing collaterals, print and social ads, and various PR materials.
• Developed office design and environmental graphics
Gensler Experience Design Lead, Full-time, Apr. 2019 – Mar. 2023
Crafting compelling brand experiences in built environments integrating design and technology.
• Lead creative design for digital experiences in built environments such as corporate headquarters, experience centers, and retail.
• Led and managed projects throughout the process, from developing experience strategies to overseeing content production.
• Facilitated creative workshop.
• Cross-functional collaboration and coordination.
• Developed pitches and business development collaterals.
Clients: Adobe, Telus, San Francisco International Airport, LinkedIn, 88 Kearny
Obscura Lead Designer, Full-time, Jul. 2016 – Apr. 2019
Creating immersive storytelling and user experience in architecture and events.
• Lead and design creative for experiential installations.
• Developed concepts, prototyping, and executing final design
• Collaborated in cross-functional teams, including industrial designers, producers, and software/ system engineers.
• Developed pitches and business development collaterals.
Clients: UCSF, MGM Cotai, Harper, CNN, Magic Planet
Freelance Designer/ Illustrator, Apr. 2013 – Present
• Created illustrations, experiential installations, branding, packaging, and advertising.
• Collaborated with agencies, production companies, and independent businesses.
Hornet, Logan, Psyop, Charlex, 1st Avenue Machine, MPC, Eyeball, Royale, Loyal Kasper, ODD, Plus, Shilo
B-Reel, Local Projects, Wieden + Kennedy, Johnson & Johnson, Shutterstock, Stag & Hare, Ogilvy & Mather...etc.
Brand New School Designer, Full-time, Oct. 2011 – Mar. 2013
• Created style frames and storyboards for TV and digital advertising.
• Collaborated with advertising agencies.
Clients: Bank of America, GE, Google, Tic Tac, Twizzlers, Target, Subway...etc.
Stardust Studio Designer, Full-time, Jan. 2010 – Sep. 2011
• Created style frames and storyboards for TV and digital advertising.
• Collaborated with advertising agencies.
Clients: BET, Google, Mercedes Benz, Verizon, Burlington, StarKist...etc.
Waymo Senior Brand Designer (Contract via Linkage Design)
Mar. 2023–Present, Mountain View
Drive brand and product graphics to articulate the brand's mission during the brand refresh as Waymo's commercialization matures. Actively contributed to realizing the new brand guidelines by designing a wide range of PR and marketing collaterals.
• Develop an experiential playbook to guide external vendors that aligns with Waymo's brand refresh, ensuring a consistent brand experience.
• Develop a marketing collateral playbook and design tool kit to maximize efficiency and consistency across the platform.
• Collaborated with marketing and product teams to create compelling designs, including experiential marketing collaterals, print and social ads, and various PR materials.
• Developed office design and environmental graphics
Gensler Experience Design Lead, Full-time, Apr. 2019 – Mar. 2023
Crafting compelling brand experiences in built environments integrating design and technology.
• Lead creative design for digital experiences in built environments such as corporate headquarters, experience centers, and retail.
• Led and managed projects throughout the process, from developing experience strategies to overseeing content production.
• Facilitated creative workshop.
• Cross-functional collaboration and coordination.
• Developed pitches and business development collaterals.
Clients: Adobe, Telus, San Francisco International Airport, LinkedIn, 88 Kearny
Obscura Lead Designer, Full-time, Jul. 2016 – Apr. 2019
Creating immersive storytelling and user experience in architecture and events.
• Lead and design creative for experiential installations.
• Developed concepts, prototyping, and executing final design
• Collaborated in cross-functional teams, including industrial designers, producers, and software/ system engineers.
• Developed pitches and business development collaterals.
Clients: UCSF, MGM Cotai, Harper, CNN, Magic Planet
Freelance Designer/ Illustrator, Apr. 2013 – Present
• Created illustrations, experiential installations, branding, packaging, and advertising.
• Collaborated with agencies, production companies, and independent businesses.
Hornet, Logan, Psyop, Charlex, 1st Avenue Machine, MPC, Eyeball, Royale, Loyal Kasper, ODD, Plus, Shilo
B-Reel, Local Projects, Wieden + Kennedy, Johnson & Johnson, Shutterstock, Stag & Hare, Ogilvy & Mather...etc.
Brand New School Designer, Full-time, Oct. 2011 – Mar. 2013
• Created style frames and storyboards for TV and digital advertising.
• Collaborated with advertising agencies.
Clients: Bank of America, GE, Google, Tic Tac, Twizzlers, Target, Subway...etc.
Stardust Studio Designer, Full-time, Jan. 2010 – Sep. 2011
• Created style frames and storyboards for TV and digital advertising.
• Collaborated with advertising agencies.
Clients: BET, Google, Mercedes Benz, Verizon, Burlington, StarKist...etc.
AWARD
Interior Design's Best of The Year Award
IIDA Design Award 2021
Retrofit’s Metamorphosis Awards—Interior Design
Graphis New Talent Annual 2011, Gold
The Art Directors Club National Scholarship: Graphic Design 2009
AIGA Flux09: Poster Design
SVA Motion Graphics Award 2009
Advertising / Graphic Department Scholarship 2009
Advertising / Graphic Department Scholarship 2008
Interior Design's Best of The Year Award
IIDA Design Award 2021
Retrofit’s Metamorphosis Awards—Interior Design
Graphis New Talent Annual 2011, Gold
The Art Directors Club National Scholarship: Graphic Design 2009
AIGA Flux09: Poster Design
SVA Motion Graphics Award 2009
Advertising / Graphic Department Scholarship 2009
Advertising / Graphic Department Scholarship 2008
EDUCATION
School of Visual Arts
BFA, Graphic design/ Motion graphics major