about me
Hi, everyone. I'm SAYA SHOJI, a Junior UX designer based in TOKYO, JAPAN.
My goal in life has been to solve the Food waste problem since 2019. Also, I'm paying attention to the other social issues.
I am highly motivated to create both online platforms and actual environments through worldwide perspectives with user-centered design.
Work experience
Vancouver Fashion Week (Volunteering)
Vancouver, Canada | Oct. 24-27, 2024
- As a Social media team, shot video contents
- As a Backstage team, interpreted between designers
and models
- As a Front house team, guided guests to appropriate
sheetsMilano Coffee Roasters
Vancouver, Canada | Oct. 22nd, 2024- Apr. 12th, 2025
Barista and Customer service
I gained an understanding of the importance of efficient and high quality, and acquired the ability to comprehend and address customer requirements.MUJI
Tokyo, Japan | Dec. 8th, 2022 - Jul. 27th, 2024
- Customer service in both Japanese and English
- Consideration the store layouts utilizing the
Visual Merchandising
- Promotion the products on Instagram
I gained the knowledge and skills necessary to establish a store
that prioritizes customer satisfaction, and developed the ability to promote our products by providing tailored suggestions in both Japanese and English.
Skills
Figma, Framer, and Canva
Conducting User Interviews
Wireframing and Prototyping
Creating User Personas
Creating User Journey Maps
Conducting KPI-based Usability Tests
Heuristic Analysis and Evaluation
Design Thinking
Teamwork
why food waste problem & UX
INAYAWAN, PhilipPineS
July, 2019
Decide to solve the food waste problem
For the first time in my life, I encountered people unable to get enough food to eat. Seeing such a disparity in living conditions with Japan was astounding, even though we all are humans living on the same planet.
Kapiti, New Zealand
January to March,
2020
Realized the method for solving is not one way
I learned about composting in NZ and changed my view on food waste. I used to think leftovers were purely bad and eliminating waste was the priority, but I’ve realized waste can be recycled and repurposed effectively. This new perspective offers a fresh approach to tackling food waste.
Tokyo, Japan
October, 2022
Hosted the event named "Gift Trade" at university
I organized a week-long in-person event where participants could bring surplus items from home and exchange them for what they needed. As it was the first attempt, raising awareness and encouraging participation was challenging, but it became an important step forward for the future.
Tokyo, Japan
May, 2023
"Gift trade", vol.2
We successfully expanded participation and organization compared with vol.1. Many learned about the event through group chats or Instagram, but most were drawn by the idea of "free food" rather than "reducing food waste." This highlighted the importance of designing environments where personal benefits naturally support larger goals.
Tokyo, Japan
Jun, 2024
"Gift trade", vol.3
After three events, raising awareness remained challenging, likely due to a broad target audience and a lack of clear benefits for participants. Key lessons learned were:
1)Clarifying the target, 2)Offering participant benefits, and 3)Encouraging unconscious contributions to problem-solving.
Vancouver, Canada,
September, 2024
Designed original app "Food Saver"
Recognizing the challenges of addressing large-scale social issues solely through in-person initiatives, I developed a platform via an app. Through this project, I realized the complexity and importance of creating UX designs that are both user-centered and sustainable as a business. This experience motivated me to further deepen my learning in this field.
