Etsuki Creative is a studio that builds connections between people and places.
Nao is a visual storyteller and creative leader. Branded environments and environmental graphic design are her passions. She launches global brand experiences by collaborating with internal customer teams and external expert partners. She sails smoothly from customer business advocate and visionary team leader to artisan ally.
Entrenched in the design-construction industry, she prizes projects from brief to build. Creative theory is balanced with build know-how and intuition for what comes next. Projects start with cultural market research and community strategy. She leads blue sky ideation, programs touchpoints, crafts details, builds partnerships, and executes field work to ensure her vision is built and client asks solved.
Nao’s project mix satisfies an adventurous palette of branded environments, visual storytelling, and global-yet-local placemaking. Crisp wayfinding experiences are sewn far and wide, with a merry dose of fresh murals. Narrating her clients’ obscure stories is her cup of tea.
Her curious narratives, feel-good signs, art collaborations, and kooky super-graphics sow cravings of all varieties at intersections all over the world.
work history
Etsuki Creative - principal
Gensler - associate, senior designer + art director
Kiku Obata & Company - designer
education
Washington University School of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design
awards
Pleasant Hill Library - Bohlin Cywinsky Jackson, 2024 ALA / IIDA Library Interior Design Award
Pleasant Hill Library - Bohlin Cywinsky Jackson, IIDA Northern California, 2023 Honoree | Serve
Good Hotel - American Institute of Graphic Design, 365 Awards, Immersive Experience
Allsteel Washington D.C. Showroom - DuPont Antron Award, Retail Category
Allsteel Headquarters - AIA Chicago, Citation of Merit Award for Interior Architecture
Allsteel Headquarters - International Interior Design Association Award
San Mateo Transit Center - Society for Environmental Graphic Design Merit Award