Archinect
Kay Yamamoto

Kay Yamamoto

Orlando, FL, US

 

About 

Over 25 years of experience in store planning and design and project management. Focused primarily on branding, conceptual design and develop merchandise block plan to various size of retail stores. Involved in all aspects of the project life cycle. Proven ability to propose, manage, design, develop and deliver complete solutions to customers.

Design:

▪Deep understanding and expertise in store experience design and (both strategic and execution) and ability to execute against. Strong technical expertise in store design and development.

▪Overall design concept of exterior and interior environment, merchandising/fixture layout and planning, new fixture design/development, conceptual lighting and floor covering design

Management:

▪I would categorize my management style as "Success through Empowerment". I believe that if you give team members the tools, structure and guidance to effectively complete an assignment and meet   management is the ability to drive and motivate the team while enabling them to shine. Projects succeed through qualified team members and strong yet versatile management.

▪ Cross-functional Collaboration, Specifications, Design and Architecture, Proposals, Project Planning, Review and Red-line All Mill-work, Negotiation and Presentations.

▪Proficient in problem identification, Evaluation and Resolution; skilled at prioritizing workload  handling multiple projects simultaneously and efficiently with emphasis on meeting requirements, budgets and deadlines.

Skills:

▪Produce perspective renderings of interior and exterior design concept.

▪Leverages Design as a business practice – ensures design impact through actions and education. ▪Strong retail environment orchestration skills, expert in use of Design tools, e.g. shopping navigation principles, material, architectural and fixture understanding and specifications.

▪Select colors/materials/furniture to reflect design intent, client’s needs and merchandise requirements.

 ▪ Comprehensive value engineering skills.

Visual Merchandising:

Over 10 year experience in administrative, technical or other responsible work which enabled to gain an understanding of visual merchandising techniques and methods; and skill in the area of attractive display, merchandise presentation and in-store signing.

Key Experience: Lord & Taylor, N.Y., Lane Bryant, N.Y., A & S, N.Y.

Elsewhere:

Employment 

Consultant-Self Employeed, Orlando, FL, US & International, Tokyo, JP, Retail Planning, Design & Visual Merchandise Consultant

▪ Providing cost-effective strategic decision for architecture, interior design, merchandising and store planning, identity and branding.
▪ Producing conceptual layout plan and interior design and exterior design to meet client’s business requirements based on business needs and project timelines for various retail environment; department stores, fashion chain stores, showrooms, supermarket chains, CS chains and shopping centers in US and international.
Key Projects:
▪ Fashion Boutique, Children’s Shop, Junior Boutique, Japan (2010)
▪ Sweets and Cafe Shop, Japan (2010)

Nov 2010 - current
 

Toys R Us, Japan, Kanagawa, JP, Manager of Store Planning

US owned Toy retailer in Japan - Overseeing daily management for Planning and Layout Division. Focused primarily on managing, planning, developing and deploying applications that meet business requirements based on business needs and project timelines. Improvement of daily process, standardizing visual merchandising, development of Plano-guide (manual) and training staff.
Key Responsibilities:
• Lead the shaping of strategic direction and vision of in-store/aisle shopping experience via category design language using design thinking to envision a future of possibilities.
• Developing in-depth understanding of shopper and consumer needs and competitive opportunities.
• Educate/train cross functional teams in the strategic and tactical uses of design, including collaborative processes to best leverage the power of Planning and Design.
• Direct and lead planning/design projects from conception through implementation.

Apr 2010 - Oct 2010
 

Creative Consultant, New York, NY, US, Retail Planning, Design & Visual Merchandise Consultant

Responsible and producing for conceptual layout plan and interior design and exterior design to meet clients business requirements based on business needs and project timelines for various retail environment; department stores, fashion chain stores, showrooms, supermarket chains, CS chains and shopping centers in US and international.
Major Clients:
■Gensler - New York, N.Y.
Key Projects:
▪ Barneys, N.Y. Scottsdale, AZ.- Responsible and producing for schematic design idea for various departments.
▪ Royal Caribbean Cruise Line - “Oasis of the Seas” cruise ship, Retail Stores. - Producing schematic design and Design Development for various retail shops on cruise ship.
■Grid/2 International - New York City
Key Projects:
▪ Lotte Department Store in Beijing, China (350,000 sq/f)
▪ Fashion Showroom, High-End Women’s Fashion (3,000 sq/f)
▪ Jr. Sportswear chain – Prototype (2,000 sq/f – 65,000 sq/f)
▪ Health and Wellness Specialty Store - Prototype - New York City. (5,000 sq/f)
▪ City Shop Supermarket - Shanghai, China
▪ Restaurant/Café/Cosmetic Store (900 sq/f – 2,500 sq/f)

Jun 2004 - Feb 2010
 

Group Red L.L.C., New York, NY, US, Sr. Project Designer

Providing cost-effective strategic decision for architecture, interior design, merchandising and store planning, identity and branding.
Key Projects:
• Daiei Supermarket - Japanese national supermarket chain – prototype design
• Sunny - Japanese regional supermarket chain - prototype design (ISP/VM+SP Merit Award 2000)
• Stop & Shop - New England based supermarket chain - prototype design and rollover
• McCabe’s Pharmacy - Ireland health and beauty store chain – prototype design w/cosmetics
• Espresso - Conceptual prototype Cafe

Aug 2001 - May 2004
 

CDI Group Inc., New York, NY, US, Design Director

Responsible for creating and developing conceptual design and set direction of graphic/signage. Multiple Projects, Cross-functional Collaboration, Specifications and Design management.
Key Projects:
• Royal Farm - CS, Texaco International - CS prototype (ISP/VM+SP First place Award 1998)
• Stop & Shop – supermarket

Nov 1997 - Jul 2001
 

CLDA, Inc., Miami, FL, US, Design Director

Responsible for creating and developing conceptual design and set direction of graphic/signage for department stores and chain stores projects.
Key projects:
• Joslins
• Gayfers
• Saks Fifth Avenue
• Burdines

May 1994 - Sep 1997
 

Pavlik Design Team, Fort Lauderdale, FL, US, Sr. Project Designer

Creating and developing conceptual design and set direction of graphic/signage for department stores and chain stores projects.
Key projects:
▪ El Palacio de Herero - 250,000 sq/f ▪ Lord & Taylor
▪ Jusco (Japan) – Shopping Center, Concept Design for 5 locations (150,000 – 200,000 sq/f)
▪ Sogo Department Store (Japan) – 44,000 sq/m (400,000 sq/f)

Apr 1991 - Apr 1994
 

Walker Group/CNI, New York, NY, US, Project Designer/Manager

Creating and developing conceptual design and set direction of graphic/signage for department stores and chain stores projects.
Key Projects:
▪ Burdines
▪ Duty Free Shoppers (Shilla Hotel, S Korea)
▪ Isetan (Tokyo, Japan) – 25,000 sq/m (225,000 sq/f)

Jan 1985 - Mar 1991
 

Awards 

ISP/VM+SP Merit Award 2000, Honorable Mention

Sunny - Japanese regional supermarket chain - prototype design

2000
 

ISP/VM+SP First place Award 1998, 1st Place

Royal Farm - CS, Texaco International - CS prototype

1998
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills