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Misaki Wakanabe, a student at Aoyama Gakuin University, interned at Custom Media from May to August 2022. She worked closely with the sales and consulting team during her time with us. Before she left, we spoke to her about her experience.
We’ve got a really dynamic and diverse team, and each one of us brings a unique perspective, not just to the work we do, but to the world in general.
I am mainly helping my Japanese clients to effectively access global audiences. Custom Media is based in Japan, and many of our customers are international executives living in Japan. They often play the role of an “international window,” since they are influencing people and frequently liaising with their counterparts back in their home countries.
I take care of our bigger clients and I promote the company to interest new clients. I also have a passion for events.
I’m responsible for writing and editing content for all of Custom Media’s client projects, from social media campaigns to restaurant menus.
The most important skills are creativity, thinking outside the box, and the ability to gain a deep understanding of the problems and challenges the client is facing.
When it comes to web design, I always start by finding out the client’s preferences, wants, and needs. The most important thing is what the client needs. After that, I brainstorm. My brainstorming involves comparing my vision of the product with what the client needs and with competitors.
I’ve spent about 18 years in Japan, over three stints since 1987. After graduating from the London School of Journalism in 1992, my first job was as a stringer in Havana, Cuba, for the Daily Telegraph.
I was interested in creating something online that everyone could access without the boundaries of their computer. With a website, anyone can access it as long as they have a browser.
After you’ve been away from Japan for a long time—like me—when you come back you discover the place in a certain way, and you find you’re not so knowledgeable about it. That happened to me so now I’m interested in introducing the beauty of local Japan to an overseas marketplace and people in Japan who stay just three or four years.
I’m from New Jersey, near New York City. I moved to New York for college, and studied at the School of Visual Arts. Starting in the design, print, and production industry, I worked in New York City for over six years.
I went to university in Mexico. I was initially interested in industrial design because I had an interest in large objects and projects, and wanted to create things for spaces. But when I sat my college entrance exam, I realized that I would have more job opportunities in graphic design.
