Hello, I am Mengchu Yao from Taiwan, and I am currently located in Tokyo, Japan, where I work as a web designer Baqemono.inc.
I am really grateful that I can pursue my design career in an intercultural environment. Life here enables me to appreciate small things and encourages me to stay curious and open mind.
Featured work
Movie × ai model
We have created the website for AI Model Inc., a company that uses AI models and virtual personalities to offer Digital Transformation (DX) services. The site is made to present their solutions for generating AI video.
Personal notes
This website design is aimed at the concept of “natural and elegant AI-generated visuals”. One of the most important challenges was to present a large number of dynamic, compelling visual elements and interactions within a layout with one page. We have spent a lot of time finding the right balance between animation and delivering messages, so that every movement looks beautiful and useful at the same time
This was also time for me to sketch the animation for almost every section and worked closely with developers to refine the movement expressions. The process was both challenging and fascinating, so it was worth and important for my growth.
Flag yokohama
We have made the official website for ‘flag Yokohama’, a new creative lounge and workspace for only members on the upper (42nd) floor of the Yokohama front on Yokohama Station.
Personal notes
This project was a rare opportunity that enabled me to explore and be creative while using the brand guidelines as a basis, in response to the request “to use the Yokohama city image as the backbone of visuals while elements are absorbed that evoke the feeling of wind and movement.”
A thoughtful touch was the most important visual on the homepage. It automatically changes during the time of the day: morning, afternoon and evening, which represents the ambiations of Yokohama and gives a subtle pleasure to the Browse experience.
Angelux
We have made a brand new company website for Angelux Co., Ltd., a company founded in 1987 that specializes in beauty salons and spas activities, with product development and sales in cosmetics.
Personal notes
This project started with the customer’s request to clearly distinguish between the service website and the business site, and to position the latter as a recruitment platform that authentic reflects the people behind the brand.
To embody Angelux’s strong emphasis on craftsmanship, we have presented actual treatment scenes in the main visual. The general design combines a feeling of classic professionalism with a soft modern aesthetics, creating a calm and reassuring atmosphere. This approach not only helps to build trust in the company, but also effectively appeals to potential talent that is interested in the at Angelux.
The visual design contained elements that are reminiscent of high -quality cosmetics that transmit the clean beauty and brightness of skin care.
Perform
We have the official website for Infodio Inc. Re -designed, a company that specializes in advanced technologies such as AI -Arc and Natural Language Processing (NLP), and offers fast, automated transcription products and services.
Personal notes
The original website cannot effectively communicate “AI as a core” and often mislead the applicants of the customer. To solve the problem, our strategy to emphasize the products was. The refurbishment successfully gives the true essence of the brand and attracts the right potential talents with clear messages.
We started all over again for the visuals. It was challenging but also the best part. Because the products were the center of the design, the key was to show both authenticity and the visual attraction.
Background
After I had obtained my master in information design, I joined the Tokyo -based Digital Design Studio, Baqemono.inc., I had the opportunity to lead various challenging and creatively fulfilling projects from the early stages of my career.
These experiences have shaped me enormously and deepened my passion for this field. During this trip, the founder of the studio remained the designer that I admire most – a constant source of inspiration whose presence reminds me to approach each project with both respect and enthusiasm.
Design philosophy
A strong concept is your North Star
I believe that every design must be built on a clear and compelling core idea. When I start a project, I always ask myself: “What am I on?”
Structure comes first
Before I dive into Visuals, I ensure that I spend enough time on wire frames and the overall structure. If the content and hierarchy are not clearly defined in the beginning, the rest of the bits and bits become sounds that become cloud judgment. A solid framework helps me to stay focused and gives me room to refine the details.
Listen to the inconvenience in your intestines
When I feel that something is “not quite good”, I always know that I have to come back to take another look because these subtle feelings often point to something important. I believe that as designers we have to be honest with ourselves, take a break to investigate and revise. Every small tweak is a step closer to your truth.
You really have to love it
I also believe that every designer must love his/her own work, so that the work will have the impact of it. This is not only about aesthetics – it is about fully possessing the concept, the details and the final result.
Teamwork is everything
No project is ever completed by me – it is always the result of a team effort. I respect every member involved deep and I constantly wonder: “What can I do to make the collaboration more flexible for everyone?”
Tools and techniques
- Photoshop
- Figma
- After -effects
- Eagle
Future goals
My main goal for the year is to start building my portfolio website. I mainly shared my work on social media, but as I have gained more practical experience and creative output over time, I realized that it is important to have a special space that fully reflects who I am as a designer today.
Recently I started making some changes to my daily routine, such as better sleeping hours and becoming a morning person to be more focused and productive for my work. My mind is clearer and my body feels great, just like I’m preparing myself for the next chapter of my creative journey.
Last thoughts
Giving someone’s advice is always a bit tricky for me, but a sentence that resonated with me during my journey is: “Go slowly to go quickly”. Finding your own balance between creating and resting while staying passionate about life is the most important thing of all for me.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this. I hope you enjoyed the works and thoughts that I have shared!
A genuine thanks to Codrops and Manoela for inviting me to be part of this designer spotlight. Since I entered the world of web design, Codrops has been a constant source of inspiration that showed me so many great works and makers. I am really honored and grateful to appear among them.
Contact
I am always enthusiastic to make contact with people to share ideas and explore new opportunities together. If something speaks to you here, please contact us – I would like to talk more and hear your thoughts!
I also share updates on my latest projects on social media from time to time, so feel free to come by and say hello 😊
#Craft #Clarity #Care #Story #Work #Mengchu #Yao #Codrops