NOZOMI AKUTSU

Art Director / Designer of MU

Creator of MU Design Store

Lecturer at JOSHIBI

 

I’m a Tokyo-born, Amsterdam-based graphic designer and art director with 15+ years of experience across branding, digital, print, marketing, and visual communication.

After more than 13 years working as a designer in Tokyo, I moved to Stockholm in 2022 to study at Hyper Island and further develop my practice in an international and European context. As part of the programme, I also worked as an in-house design intern at Swedish furniture brand Hem.

I’ve since continued working across freelance, in-house, and agency environments, collaborating with both established brands and startups. My experience spans brand and logo design, digital content, web design, social media, campaigns, print, and marketing - allowing me to take projects from concept and art direction through to final production.

While graphic design is at the core of my practice, I enjoy working across disciplines and translating a strong visual identity into different formats and touchpoints. I’m particularly interested in creating clear, distinctive, and visually engaging design that feels consistent, considered, and relevant to its audience.

Working independently as a freelancer has also strengthened my ability to manage projects, communicate with clients, prioritise tasks, and deliver high-quality work reliably and efficiently.

Outside of client work, I design and produce my own physical design products through MU Design Store, which allows me to explore design from both a creative and business perspective.