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🦄 Wakabayashi
Creative Director, Equity Leader, Unicorn
Professional Background
Steven Wakabayashi is a multifaceted professional whose career interweaves design, technology, and social equity, with a particular focus on mindfulness and community empowerment. As the Founder and Creative Director at Stranger Creative, Steven leads innovative design projects that challenge traditional paradigms and emphasize inclusivity and equity. His previous roles include Creative Director at industry giants like Huge and Walmart, User Experience Manager at Apple, and Senior Manager of UX at Razorfish, where he contributed significantly to advancing UX design standards and practices in the tech industry.
Steven is also a prominent figure in the LGBTQ+ design community. He previously held the position of Founder and President at QTBIPOC Design, an organization dedicated to offering free education and mentorship opportunities to LGBTQ+ designers and designers-to-be of color. Through this initiative, he has made substantial strides toward creating a more equitable landscape for underrepresented voices in design, reinforcing the idea that securing jobs in design should not be hindered by race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or financial background.
Education and Achievements
Steven's academic background is as diverse as his professional experience. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Physiology and Neuroscience from the University of California San Diego, which fosters his analytical approach to design and product management. He further bolstered his expertise by completing a Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program at the prestigious University of California, Berkeley, merging his passion for mindfulness with design practices. To equip himself with additional skills in product development, he studied Product Management at Product School, further solidifying his ability to oversee comprehensive design projects from conception to execution.
His commitment to continuous learning is evident in his numerous speaking engagements, where he shares insights on topics such as design ethics, LGBTQ+ representation in technology, and the mindfulness approach in design. His upcoming talks and keynotes for 2021 include appearances at significant conferences and educational institutions such as the University of Washington, New Jersey Institute of Technology, and UX South Africa.
Notable Contributions
In addition to his leadership roles and speaking engagements, Steven has dedicated time to teaching as an instructor in various UX and UI courses at Springboard and CareerFoundry, helping to nurture the next generation of designers. His role in education is a reflection of his belief that the principles of equity and mindfulness should be instilled in future professionals.
As the founder of Mindful Sights, Steven has also played a vital role in exploring and promoting mindfulness within the creative process, understanding that a thoughtful approach can lead to innovative and equitable design solutions. Steven writes regularly about pressing social issues, race, and mindfulness in his weekly newsletter, "Mindful Moments," where he engages a broader audience in meaningful conversations surrounding design's impact on society.
In an era where design plays an increasingly critical role in technology and culture, Steven Wakabayashi stands out as a pioneer championing equity, representation, and mindfulness. His extensive background in UX and product design, combined with a genuine commitment to uplift marginalized voices in the design sector, marks him as an influential figure in today's ever-evolving landscape.
Achievements
- Founder & Creative Director at Stranger Creative
- Formerly Founder & President at QTBIPOC Design, advocating for equity in design education and job opportunities
- Formerly Creative Director at Huge and Walmart, leading teams to create innovative design solutions
- Senior User Experience Manager at Apple, enhancing user engagement through impactful design strategies
- Multiple speaking engagements at high-profile conferences, including design ethics, LGBTQ+ topics in tech, and design mindfulness.
Upcoming Engagements
- March 23: Mobile UX London - Panel on Design Ethics
- March 29: Kwantlen Polytechnic University
- March 31: NJ Institute of Technology | LGBTQ+ in tech
- April 10: University of Washington
- April 14: Design Innovation Global Conference
- April 27: Verbal + Visual
- May 20: Out in Tech
- May 26: UCSD Design @ Large
- June 2: UX South Africa
- June 8: UX Writers Conference
- June 9: Delta Dental
- June 11: Design Ops Global Conference
- June 15: UX Fest
- June 30: Techlahoma
- July 21: Design Content Conference
- August 25: UX Australia
- September 17: DesignConf by Learners
- September 20: Design Thinking Global
- September 23: IDC (International Design Conference)
- October 22: Button
