My name is Yukari Yamano. In Japanese, my given name is written as 由加利. The characters carry layered meaning: 由 (yu) suggests origin, reason, and freedom; 加 (ka) means to add, join, and enrich; and 利 (ri) conveys benefit, clarity, and advantage. Together, they reflect a spirit of thoughtful contribution—adding value with purpose and clarity. This intention guides my work across design, cultural programming, and bilingual communication.

 

I was born in Japan and moved to the United States in 1995, spending over two decades in the San Francisco Bay Area before relocating to Seattle in 2018. During my time in the Bay Area, I spent over eight years at Busse Design, a UX design studio, where I grew from a junior designer into an established visual communicator. I supported more than 50 startup and established companies with corporate websites, web applications, marketing collateral, and graphic design. These experiences shaped my approach to design—balancing clarity, adaptability, and cultural nuance across diverse industries.

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After Busse Design, I began working with Pricelock, a fast-moving startup in the energy sector, as a freelance designer on a contract project. After completing that initial contract, they offered me a full-time position—an opportunity that allowed me to continue shaping Pricelock’s visual branding across platforms. I wore two creative hats: graphic designer on the marketing team and UI designer for the company’s digital products. I collaborated with executives, product managers, and engineers to design intuitive interfaces for an energy auction platform and a professional social network for industry experts.

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I joined the Seattle Japanese Garden through the Arboretum Foundation in early 2020, after discovering a job posting for the garden’s 60th anniversary—a one-year contract position that felt like a rare opportunity to reconnect with my Japanese heritage in a meaningful way. The garden’s beauty and cultural depth resonated with me, especially its authentic tea house, which hosts weekend tea ceremony demonstrations by local tea groups. I supported these programs through coordination and outreach. When the anniversary event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I pivoted to digital outreach—producing video content, hosting webinars, and leading virtual workshops on Japanese arts and traditions. This laid the foundation for my role as Programs and Events Coordinator, where I curated seasonal festivals, coordinated tea ceremony demonstrations, and developed workshops in collaboration with regional nonprofits. Highlights include Free First Thursday and Family Saturday programs, a youth photography workshop in partnership with Youth in Focus, and special events tied to traditional Japanese activities such as the Tanabata Star Festival and Tsukimi (Moon Viewing)—one of the garden’s most popular annual events in Seattle. In 2024, the garden welcomed over 10,000 visitors, with more than 100 tea ceremony demonstrations—many of which I helped coordinate and promote.

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I hold a Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Design from Kyoto University of the Arts, completed entirely in Japanese through an online cohort program. I enrolled to deepen my understanding of Japanese culture and people, and graduated in March 2025. The program emphasized collaborative, research-based learning; for my second-year capstone project, I worked with four Japanese teammates to study Oiso Town in Kanagawa Prefecture. As part of our fieldwork, I visited Oiso twice and stayed for a week each time to conduct interviews, site observations, and cultural research. I also earned a B.S. in Graphic Design from San Jose State University, where I built a strong foundation in design principles and professional standards. 

 

In addition to my full-time roles, I previously provided freelance graphic design services on an as-needed basis, supporting small businesses and artists with visual branding, bilingual materials, and digital content. While I no longer take on freelance projects, the experience strengthened my adaptability, project management and client communication skills. 

 

Outside of work, I volunteer with my high school son’s marching band, supporting weekend events and performances as my schedule allows. I also assist with outreach efforts for the Chado Urasenke Tankokai Seattle Association, helping promote tea ceremony and cultural education in the community. These roles keep me connected to local traditions and contribute to creative environments that uplift youth and foster intergenerational exchange—values that also shape my professional work.

 

My creative work is guided by a deep interest in cultural storytelling, visual clarity, and inclusive community engagement. Before this focus, I worked as a UI designer for Silicon Valley startups, building digital products with an emphasis on usability and clean design. Through my work with the Seattle Japanese Garden, I became more deeply interested in culture—especially how design can honor tradition, foster connection, and bring generations together. I enjoy curating seasonal festivals that celebrate Japanese traditions. Recently, I’ve been developing a bilingual glossary of gaming terms to strengthen my vocabulary in both Japanese and English and explore nuanced language learning. I’ve also returned to painting, cultivating a personal style inspired by nature and Japanese aesthetics. To expand my creative expression in digital environments, I’ve begun exploring tools like Unreal Engine and Blender.