Natsume (aka. Yi Chen) is a New York based designer, researcher, artist, Japanese teacher, and DJ. Being educated with Japanese Studies, Graphic Design, Communication Design and UX, I have been involved in several projects from OnePlus, Coda, Cint, and Duolingo, and have been recognized by Core77 Design Awards, Apple Design Award, iF Design Award and Good Design Award.

I love interactive experiences, sound-based objects, and printed matters. I’m a DJ during my free time, playing house and chill beats.

Contact

Inquiries: yi.chen.designer@gmail.com
Instagram: @natsume.cy
LinkedIn: in/yi-chen-designer

Awards & Nominations

Apple Design Award 2023 with Duolingo
Good Design Award with OnePlus
iF Design Award with OnePlus
Core77 Design Award with FUNKEY
ADDY Awards with Ellipse Magazine (RIT)

Activities

Paper Art Dreams Exhibition - Visual Design, June 2024
The Intersection of Design, Technology, and Business - Guest Talk at NYU, March 2024
Constellation (Chinese) by Vermillion Theater - Set Design, Visual Design, June 2023

Rituals

ritual | ˈrɪtʃʊəl | - a religious or solemn ceremony consisting of a series of actions performed according to a prescribed order. (Oxford Dictionary of English)

In our daily lives, rituals play a crucial role. They help us understand who we are, recognize our state, and ultimately make things work. Rituals are more common than we might think—from the small act of washing your face each morning to the significant event of planning a wedding with loved ones. At its core, design embodies the purpose or planning behind an action, fact, or object.

I specialize in designing with rituals, transforming everyday interactions into meaningful and impactful experiences. By integrating rituals into design, I help users establish lasting habits and create meaningful moments that resonate on a deeper level. My approach involves identifying key moments in the user journey and embedding rituals that enrich the experience.

Rituals in design not only enhance user satisfaction but also foster a sense of community and shared purpose. My unique focus on rituals allows me to create design solutions that are both functional and profoundly impactful.