ABOUT ME
A CREATIVE
A LEADER
PASSIONATE
CURIOUS
DISCIPLINED
TEAM-FIRST
MY WHY.
word on the street
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“I had the privilege of working with Akari Matsuno during her design internship, and I was consistently impressed by her exceptional talent and professionalism. Akari came to us from the University of Notre Dame and quickly demonstrated an outstanding mix of raw creative ability and intelligent problem-solving skills that set her apart from the start.
Her athletic background as a competitive tennis player clearly shows in her work ethic—disciplined, focused, and relentless in delivering excellence. She not only completed her personal projects on time but did so with remarkable attention to detail and creativity. In addition, Akari made meaningful contributions to our in-line product creation, bringing fresh ideas and thoughtful execution to the team.
What truly stands out about Akari is her initiative, understanding of marketplace trends and passion for design. She approaches challenges with a strategic mindset and a strong sense of ownership, making her an invaluable member of any team she joins.
We will be following her design career closely and would be honored to work with her again in the future. Any organization would be fortunate to have Akari on their team.” - CEO Wolf & Shepherd -
“It is a distinct privilege to write this letter of recommendation for Akari Matsuno. As her Head Coach at the University of Notre Dame, I have had the unique pleasure of guiding Akari through her four-year collegiate career and witnessing her extraordinary evolution as a student-athlete, a fierce competitor, and a compassionate leader.
Akari’s emotional strength, resilience, and integrity earned her the deepest respect of her teammates and coaches, culminating in her selection as Captain during her senior year. Akari brings a rare combination of intense competitive edge and a joyful, unifying spirit that consistently brought our team together. She leads by example, fostering a culture of inclusivity and determination wherever she goes, and leaves a lasting legacy of passion and unity within our program.
I have the utmost confidence that Akari will bring the same dedication, depth of character, and excellence to her future endeavors. She has my highest possible recommendation for any professional, academic, or leadership opportunity she pursues.”
MY PHILOSOPHY?
I believe thoughtful design starts with understanding — immersing myself in the problem to uncover what people really need and defining what success looks like. From there, I work backwards, balancing research with design intuition across trends, brand, aesthetics, and user experience to make intentional decisions. Leading with curiosity, I aim to create solutions that function well, look compelling, and are thoughtfully crafted for the people they serve.