Cuzen Matcha/ 2019–2024
An extensive branding launch for a matcha maker + whole leaf system. Cuzen Matcha is a startup that offers the freshly ground matcha system that combines shade-grown organic Japanese tea leaves and an award-winning* home matcha maker. The visual identity was created around its core values of simple beauty, sustainable lifestyle, authentic quality and modern convenience. This project transformed the founder’s vision into reality, leading to the successful launch of a Kickstarter campaign, along with a multilingual e-commerce site on Shopify and an Amazon brand page.
*TIME’s Best Inventions of 2020, CES 2020 Innovation Awards Honoree, iF Design Award 2021 (Germany) ,Good Design Award 2021 (Japan)
Brand Photography
Brand Collaterals: Leaf Mailing Bag, Mailer Insert, Business Card, Post Card, Starter Booklet
Pop-up Setups: Pop-up Cart, Happi Jacket, Signage, Sample Cups, Promo Cards
Welcome Step Emails for New Cuzen Customers
Blue Bottle Coffee/ 2017–2019
Creating design systems and visual narratives reflects the company’s commitment to quality and craftsmanship. Leading all projects throughout the process, each one showcases a clean, minimalist aesthetic, ensuring the brand’s essence is consistently conveyed.
Travel Mug & Commuter Cup Packaging
8oz Can for CPG (comps)
10oz Milk Carton for CPG (comps)
Organic Canvas Tote Bag
Holiday Collection 2018
Seasonal Blend Coffee Bean Bag
Pour-over Kettle Packaging
Seasonal Blend Coffee Bean Bag
Pour-over Kettle Packaging
Coffee Essentials Kit Booklet
Embark: A series of short animation for employee on-boarding video: What is design? / Our production facilities / Our online business
Animation by Jamie Vitt
Animation by Jamie Vitt
Gap, Inc./ 2012–2016
Contributed as a team member on both digital and print projects to create a cohesive omni-channel brand experience. This encompassed everything from in-store interactions to the e-commerce platform, effectively showcasing BR’s brand vision of elevated contemporary classics.
Men’s Denim Re-launch Campaign: Packaging, Store Signage, E-commerce Responsive Landing Page
Woman’s Landing Pages: An online boutique experience in the editorial and inspirational format.
Holiday Gift Guide and Holiday Packaging: Retail e-commerce Landing page, Shopping bag, Candle Packaging, Accessory Card, Gift Card
Apple Japan Inc./ 2011
Directing and refining various marketing materials including online and print to
maintain brand consistency for all graphics.
New Year Store Event at Apple Stores in Japan / Lighting up the New Year: Posters, Brochures, Screensaver Animations, Event Collaterals
Wieden+Kennedy Tokyo/ 2007–2010
Participating in a wide variety of design projects from concept development to delivery.
Clients include Nike, Google, Delta, as well as an in-house music label, W+K Tokyo Lab*.
*WK Lab launched by Wieden+Kennedy Tokyo in 2003, embraces the "Hybrid" concept, collaborating with global musicians and artists to deliver a unique blend of music and visuals.
Tokyo Ten: Music Album Packaging, Book design
A Hybrid Book/Blog/DVD that celebrates WK Lab’s tenth release featuring 42 artists who have collaborated with Lab in the last 7 albums.
24H: Story Board, Beer Label for Launching Event
A music album and video for Hifana, a Japanese hybrid breakbeat duo. It features 12 video tracks seamlessly connected into one audio-visual animation showing different events occurring throughout the day.
Play with Me: Comp Design, Movie Frame Design (concept)
Proposed as a 2010 brand campaign for Nike Japan. The campaign was titled ‟Play with Me. ” The concept was to create a tool for a movement setting out to prove that it does not take much to have fun. A Daruma which is a symbol of challenge in Japanese culture became the invitation to play together.
Art Center College of Design/ 2003–2006
Japanese Cinema Poster and Brochure Design for Art Center Cinema Club (hypothetical project)
A poster which can be cut into six panels and made into a brochure when assembled together.
Bel Canto: Beautiful Tune Book Design (hypothetical project)
A biography of an Italian animation artist, Gianluigi Toccafondo, whose works are described as moving paintings. Hand painted frames are assembled to dance and move to music, poetry in motion, while maintaining the look of one continuous painting.
Logo / Icon / Tittle
- Blind Cow / Dining in the Dark / Logomark (Concept)
- Sephora Monthly Play! Subscription Box / Illustration
- Banana Republic Japan Online / Icons
- Hirakawacho Mori Tower Residence Tokyo / Logomark (Concept)
- Peacock City / Tuscany Style Residence / Logomark
- Adlens / Disposable Glasses / Illustration
- Jemapur Evacuation / Music Album Title
- Hifana 24H / Music Album Release Campaign Title
Hello.
My name is Ayumi Ostrowski.
I am an independent Creative Lead / Designer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. I have an extensive background in hands-on design development, collaborating with multilingual creative teams of all sizes—ranging from large corporations to startups, as well as agencies and in-house projects in Los Angeles, Tokyo, and San Francisco. My projects have spanned diverse platforms, from retail packaging to e-commerce sites.
A food enthusiast with a curiosity for fermentation. Enjoy exploring how culinary art and design intersect.
2019 – 2024
World Matcha Inc. (Cuzen Matcha)
San Mateo, California
Design Director / Lead Designer
2017 – 2019
Blue Bottle Coffee
Oakland, California
Senior Designer, Product & Experience
2012 – 2016
Gap, Inc.
San Francisco, California
Senior Designer, Banana Republic
2011
Apple Japan, Inc.
Tokyo, Japan
Art Director, Marketing Communications
2007 – 2010
Wieden + Kennedy Tokyo
Tokyo, Japan
Designer
2006 – 2007
RTKL Associates Inc.
Los Angeles, California
Designer
08.2005 – 11.2005
Landor Associates
San Francisco, California
Design Intern
2003 – 2006
Art Center College of Design
Pasadena, California
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design with Distinction