Who I am.
I give my all to everything I take on; leading with passion and curiosity, thriving in leadership and collaboration.
DESIGN PHILOSOPHY.
User-centered Design
I believe thoughtful design starts with understanding, and asking the right questions. Before anything, I immerse myself in the problem space to get to the core and underlying need; to uncover what people are really asking for, whether that’s solving a frustration, fulfilling a goal, or creating a particular feeling; and define what success truly looks like.
From there, I work backwards, defining a path to achieve it. Throughout the process, I balance research with design intuition, drawing on an understanding of marketplace trends, brand identity, aesthetics, form, and user experience to make thoughtful, intentional decisions. Leading with curiosity and an open mind, I strive to create products/solutions that not only function well and are visually compelling, but are thoughtfully crafted for the people they’re meant to serve.
RECS.
“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.”
Justin Schneider
CEO and Founder of Wolf and Shepherd ™
Mentor and Boss During Design Internship Jun 2025 - Aug 2025
Alison Silverio
Women’s Tennis Head Coach at the University of Notre Dame 2007 National Champion | NCAA Championship MVP
Head Coach on ND Women’s Tennis Aug 2022 - May 2026
“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 WHY.
I am an Industrial Designer, recently graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a minor in Business Economics. My passion in life is learning. I aim to understand problems deeply and tap into their potential to create thoughtful solutions.
I found design relatively late in my college career, first dabbling in pre-law political science and engineering, and even briefly considering architecture. Navigating these disciplines let me explore different ways of thinking and problem-solving. Each experience sparked my curiosity in a unique way, ultimately leading me to discover my true passion: design — a medium where I could apply my problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking to make a meaningful impact on any project I take on.
I am part of a loving family of six, the youngest of four siblings. My parents and siblings immigrated from Japan, and I was born in Carrollton, Texas, but raised in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, where home is. My family has always been my greatest support system, instilling in me a foundation of hard work, empathy, and character that shapes how I approach design and life.
My goal is to enhance everyday experiences through intentional, user-centered design, finding fulfillment in improving the world, no matter how small the impact may seem at first glance.