http://www.manakotamura.com/home daily 1.0 2023-11-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1518149927780-9ORD8P7E0T2SCPLH11S4/white_DSC_0022_v2.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1537347568873-APDYJ6HVV84VGXCEM9JD/Switch+Screen.003.jpeg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1538787158456-DA1Q3YD3XRSUIQU7SSPI/Tullo_SVA_Thesis-402.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1538858554684-EKMGTD3MYO7JFOTVWTOA/EDITED_Manako%27s_SD_Smruti-0934.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/2ebfd592-2577-4658-a517-ed6091585358/PonceLab-6697.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1537342427575-WNFQU2J2697QES7N970C/Tamura_Xenophone_1.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1687904012109-BBQGT540T66ZC7XFDU1I/Ponce+Web+Browser+Mockup.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543261727489-2SIIBB1S6CJ8HPF8PQG7/veteran%2Bjourney_small.jpg Home - Mission Continues A Design Research Partnership wth IDEO & Veterans Affairs https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539123104982-ZAWZ2T0Q44Q67XJZE73R/DSC_0099_edited.jpg Home - Awkward Middle Place A co-creation workshop for model minorities. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1537342180265-R4RQLO956TPHAUR25WVZ/Idbo+Final+Deck_v5_forPortfolio_2.002.jpeg Home - Dress Code E-commerce site for buying clothes that reference your culture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539128141404-4KGT7X59CM6NMJB6UKQV/TheExquisiteCandidate_3.jpg Home - The Exquisite Candidate A public intervention to craft your ideal President of the United States. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539123763826-G0ND5IGFMDS1HVQ087HA/EDITED_Manako%27s_SD_Smruti-0934.jpg Home - Hyphen America An experience that celebrates your intersectional cultural identity. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1538786922032-W7ILCF9G4BCQWSBI7Y10/Thesis+Title_v6+copy_1.png Home - MFA Thesis Hacking the Racial Binary: Design Provocations for Identity and Shame https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/00132749-8301-42d6-b881-89448d50d9e9/placeholder1.png Home - Switch A mobile and smart speaker app that tracks your code switch. View Project https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/00132749-8301-42d6-b881-89448d50d9e9/placeholder1.png Home - Ponce Lab Co-creating a concierge banking experience with customers that most banks ignore. View Project https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/00132749-8301-42d6-b881-89448d50d9e9/placeholder1.png Home - Hyphen America Celebrating your intersectional cultural identity View Project https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/00132749-8301-42d6-b881-89448d50d9e9/placeholder1.png Home - Xenophone An auditory device that celebrates your ancestral stories. View Project https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/00132749-8301-42d6-b881-89448d50d9e9/placeholder1.png Home - Ponce Bank Website A new website optimized for growth, engagement, and brand narrative. View Project http://www.manakotamura.com/mission daily 0.75 2023-11-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1547611313635-YXO8H21U974Y5H0LSW7P/Mission+Continues.060.jpeg Mission Continues https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1486689206497-NIIUKHXVZAQC8HHSPDW7/website+on+computer.jpg Mission Continues - What It Is In this collaboration between SVA Products of Design and the Veterans Affairs Experience Office, Manako and her team of classmates explored ways to increase engagement of young, recently discharged veterans with the services at the VA. Using IDEO’s human-centered approach (interviewing users, generating design principles, and producing tangible insights), the team used the research to fuel the design of the final proposal, Mission Continues. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1547612478855-W3UZ7P6XFM2YBWWZ8UZC/static1.squarespace.jpg Mission Continues https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1547613071220-JVG3PYBETXSC5UWWOKG5/Mission+Continues.068-01.jpg Mission Continues - Key Findings The research revealed that the most difficult barrier to engagement is that if one is not aware of the services available to her, she does not even think to find out about her eligibility. Building on the insights from over 20 first-person interviews with VA staff and veterans, the team identified three opportunity areas: Vet-to-Vet: a young veteran is more likely to pay attention and communicate interest when the information is delivered veteran-to-veteran. Bad Rep: young veterans have negative perception of the VA due to the news of scandals spread by the media, when in actuality, the team heard time and time again that the VA NY Hospital offered excellent services. Vets Take Care of Vets: Veterans share a sense of a larger mission and want to help the veteran community. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1547613278141-YPX2DLX2NGE4PKGF34F0/Mission+Continues.094.jpeg Mission Continues - How It Works Using a digital platform, both experienced veterans (mentors) and recent veterans (mentees) first complete questionnaires. The service, then, matches mentors and mentees and sends its suggestions to them via email. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1548012645469-7VFS56WZUVPZLUNBPMB0/static1.squarespace-5.jpg Mission Continues https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1548012656737-PTSZDYFMCI3YSUXTREOD/static1.squarespace-4.jpg Mission Continues https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1548012945279-WQ03RJIR36UK536VVO0M/Manako_Frog_Presentation+Extract+2.001.jpeg Mission Continues https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1488079633015-ZSL03OKNZ9Z6G6CCUDOQ/Final_framework.jpeg Mission Continues https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1548010979948-5ZE0K949F1OQFNPX7YLY/Mission%2BContinues.117.jpg Mission Continues https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1548011203977-H60IEP1UYMC12EYVGY1H/static1.squarespace.jpg Mission Continues - Partnership with the Mission Continues The laws restricting governmental institutions, including the VA, to advertise their services made it difficult for the VA to engage with young veterans. Partnering with a nongovernmental organization such as Mission Continues enables corporate sponsorship and advertisements. After researching a wide array of organizations, the group settled on “The Mission Continues”—an organization that already appeals to younger veterans. Their declared purpose on their website entirely aligns with the earlier research: ‘The Mission Continues empowers veterans who are adjusting to life at home to find purpose through community impact.’” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1486690731486-F25DF9T1B10GN8XIDD9F/new+movie+tickets.jpg Mission Continues https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1486690740577-KYWUXP3G4U5HEH9YQ55I/plane+ticket+mockup.jpg Mission Continues https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1548011696052-TPLQE5LGG4T5TRFZ0M46/static1.squarespace-1.jpg Mission Continues https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1548011697902-AG23CQU2S6ONAW0E4Q2A/static1.squarespace-2.jpg Mission Continues https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1486690876751-DK74PVHZST4C22MM0IOL/IMG_0023.JPG Mission Continues - Engaging experienced veterans While the advertisements mostly target recently discharged veterans, the VA can reach out to experienced veterans who already use the services. By asking these veterans to become mentors, the program essentially asks them to be ambassadors for the VA. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1486699929597-9Q9SANQZQXBHYDLQAN5S/image-asset.jpeg Mission Continues - Mentor Toolkit The mentorship program is a system that facilitates communication to veterans through other veterans by connecting experienced veterans to recent veterans and guiding their meetings through the tailored toolkits. The information that is personalized in the words of other veterans then trigger interest in recent veterans, thus overcoming the most difficult barrier of engagement. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1548023380708-QA1A4Q1JRFXFHJGGUM08/Untitled-4.gif Mission Continues https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543261727489-2SIIBB1S6CJ8HPF8PQG7/veteran%2Bjourney_small.jpg Mission Continues https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1548012419081-JXYI0X8ZT9D3ZYQNS1MT/IMG_0616%2Bcopy.jpg Mission Continues - Research Process Following the IDEO research methodology of Human Centered Design, this project relied heavily on user interviews. Using a ton of post-it notes, the team downloaded and synthesized all the interview findings together, generating design principles, and producing tangible insights. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1486691355912-Q301CIT4BI7DXI1TO7U8/image_uploaded_from_ios-2.jpg Mission Continues https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1486691360415-ENKIRJKJ5HBQCYYUNDHW/image_uploaded_from_ios.jpg Mission Continues https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1487943326362-ZJTXCSN2I3E086I8F5T8/IMG_1821.jpg Mission Continues https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1486691415274-OMQ57HQZH4X5CZ64YPSE/IMG_0623.jpg Mission Continues https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1486691419501-Q2Q2521VPQ6UXP75YSCJ/IMG_0612.jpg Mission Continues https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1486691551516-VBZHDVNR8Y1NJG3JQM3H/Final_Process_DSC00783.JPG Mission Continues http://www.manakotamura.com/about daily 0.75 2026-01-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/cbee50a8-8d9b-464d-b1b1-5dfb951d6dbe/Small_Webflow_Manako_696.jpg About - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. http://www.manakotamura.com/switch daily 0.75 2022-10-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1544589917438-90ONNB3XDIJMZIUMDQHI/switch+banner+background-04.png SWITCH https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539570927379-Y188SZBOTQ7IOZBBHCIY/Switch+Setup+Screens.003.jpeg SWITCH - What It Is Switch is a speculative app that tracks its users’ code-switching habits. Code-switching is an everyday experience for many immigrants, and it often happens involuntarily and quickly – without the speaker recognizing the change. I wanted to explore how digital technology might give immigrants agency over self presentation through speech. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1537353571384-DDZAH7XPVQODU03MLQ5V/DSC_0124_small.jpg SWITCH - How It Works The app first learns the users’ speech patterns by asking them to read example phrases (just as Alexa learns to recognize its users’ voices). Then the app prompts users to set their code-switching goals. Having learned the speech patterns associated with each accent, Switch now listens to the user throughout the day, either on a phone or a smart speaker device. At the end of the day, the app generates a color-coded and time-stamped graph of where and when the code switch happened. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539571620378-QUPL7CL0KD40Q5LOCM26/Switch+Setup+Screens.004.jpeg SWITCH https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1537351430940-YSKLOM25ZKEYLD2DT6GE/Tamura_SwitchApp_1_Setup.gif SWITCH https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1537351515109-71ITTMB66GE360FOTSFJ/Tamura_SwitchApp_2_Stats.jpg SWITCH https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539571413600-OIPQ9RBAXFXJCQZ7KA2Z/Notification+Screens.001.jpeg SWITCH - Why you need it More than a tracking app, Switch is a habit-changing app. Depending on the users’ needs, it can nudge them to code-switch less, encouraging them to speak more like their culturally authentic selves, or to code switch more, helping them to speak Standard English like their white colleagues at work, for instance. In both cases, the app encourages users to push the boundaries of their comfort zone and try to speak with the other accents. Switch empowers users to embrace the multitude of their identities, and feel more comfortable expressing themselves authentically, regardless of context. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1547774074923-NND7W41MJL3YGM68KSTU/Insight+Synthesis_Switch.001.jpeg SWITCH https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1547774028611-RKV1KTXRP5535N2E15D2/Manako_Frog_Presentation.019.jpeg SWITCH https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1547774111852-RJTP0WJ3V3LZT9SXV6AC/Manako_Frog_Presentation.021.jpeg SWITCH https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1547774137961-JDYIQ2O3KQY6ZMR6YVDQ/Manako_Frog_Presentation.022.jpeg SWITCH https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1547774236316-DTXAIBDPJF8Q4U9NL5UX/Manako_Frog_Presentation.023.jpeg SWITCH https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1547774241354-P6Z0P1GVK84C0Z6CD8BY/Manako_Frog_Presentation.024.jpeg SWITCH https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1547774240808-TIGASHKZUQEH8IQ9LQWP/Manako_Frog_Presentation.026.jpeg SWITCH https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1547774244368-NUU7P9G2GZN7WPXMN3UW/Manako_Frog_Presentation.027.jpeg SWITCH https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1547774246593-L1HYN2SB7IQHBY1DKLWN/Manako_Frog_Presentation.029.jpeg SWITCH https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1547774245038-AT7189JN0F0V81QMDGS8/Manako_Frog_Presentation.028.jpeg SWITCH http://www.manakotamura.com/mighty-moon daily 0.75 2018-12-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520722239571-AO1VE2HDEP7S8YV5NJKD/Mighty+Moon+Hero-01.jpg Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520615201985-AGY5KPFZABYG2HCBS5H4/MightyMoon_Box+Kit.JPG Mighty Moon - What It Is Mighty Moon is a subscription-based tampon and comic delivery service for geek girls. It combats period shame among young girls, and encourage them to embrace menstruation from a young age. Mighty Moon’s tampons, carriers, and comics empower the users by turning their experience of menstruation from something they dread to something they look forward to, from something they hide to something they show, and from something that disgusts them to something that delights them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520636785293-XYCKFLZZ1X0CVAN4IBV9/MM_Value+Proposition-01.png Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520636785377-6ENKS7K6HQ9Y9ZN5C3RA/MM_Value+Proposition-02.png Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520636785892-LU95O7N7DZGNQBU98P70/MM_Value+Proposition-03.png Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520636785982-Y73CC6CJA2RHKH0RZC8N/MM_Value+Proposition-04.png Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520725397493-UNBQOK3V7FLIYXC4058U/Mika_Illustration.jpg Mighty Moon - How It Works Every four weeks, Mighty Moon delivers a box containing a customized assortment of light-to-heavy flow tampons, a tampon carrier, panty liners, and a new issue of the Mighty Moon comic. The comic book features the adventures of the protagonist Mika—a high-school student who transforms herself into a superhero to combat villains who terrorize her city. The villains are personifications of patriarchal forces that women face daily, and the issues are entitled: “Attack of Mansplainer,” “Bropriation of the City,” and “The Revenge of Manterrupter.” Just as one would eagerly await the next issue of a comic book, users of this service will actually look forward to having their periods so that they can receive both a box of tampons along with Mighty Moon’s original monthly comic series. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520799560036-XAA877G7KY4VFTM6VIHU/updated_website-02.png Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543355716860-GEVCN2QMPZCDLFMDYTQB/The%2BPad%2BSignal.png Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520651277908-1RF1ZLFUL51O72DW5YTG/comic-1.png Mighty Moon - Attack of Mansplainer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520651276084-8K1B4N0DGOSUDT6C69F2/comic-2.png Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520651280351-LX97QPV7S3DGNBLG3JY5/comic-3.png Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520651283563-OPEVPUJ7PFMLZPG3JHRN/comic-4.png Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520651288822-V41H467B1LP7U3V1LZQL/comic-5.png Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520651291586-T7IOE1L6SI0MXRQB9YEZ/comic-6.png Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520651296202-MOW2CHM7GTF2PZOBXH82/comic-7.png Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520651292451-L8NF4HE870FW3WUSGXAR/comic6.png Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520651293001-WFQ97WIS5BS3EA7Y27T7/comic7.png Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520723469129-2APJ5HWKKKH7LW4U596R/mechanical+gif.gif Mighty Moon - Conspicuous Design The feminist ethos of the comic runs throughout the product experience of Mighty Moon. The unboxing experience for all its products—delivery box, tampon packaging, panty liner packaging—emulates a powerful "ripping gesture" that Mika uses when transforming into a superhero. The tampon carrier is shaped like the weapon that Mika uses to fight villains, and the conspicuousness of both the carrier and the box transforms the user's relationship with their periods from something they hide to one that they show. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520723748178-8HOA3NCHX9064QBDHY0U/carrier.gif Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520724708567-IL3SV67E4ZA8C7ERWNFZ/IMG_0296.JPG Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520724644422-N3J4F0HVHZVHXLDSNXQ2/IMG_0320.JPG Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520724645177-XRJGWXSLEKOFOQRTP5P4/IMG_0326.JPG Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520724758109-2GKNF9D7K8G8P2DIV3W9/IMG_0309.JPG Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520724755089-GVC3M29S5OFK6U504NSG/IMG_0312.JPG Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520617921613-KPNM0PXNZACE1NML3VOO/Tampon-Demo.gif Mighty Moon - Designing for Delight Mighty Moon’s products are designed to make the experience of using tampons delightful. The engravings on the applicators turn viewing menstrual blood into a magical experience as the engraved areas absorb blood and reveal the brand pattern. The applicator overturns the perception of menstrual blood from something that is annoying, gross or even dirty, to something that the user is delighted to see and experience. Also, a select few of the applicators have an engraving of a heart instead of the pattern—randomly mixed in with the regular tampons—which users receive only once in a blue moon. When the user receives the "heart" applicator, she is encouraged to post the picture of it with the hashtag, #luckymoon. Together, Mighty Moon’s product lineup of tampons, carriers, and comics empower the users by turning the experience of menstruation from something they dread to something they look forward to; from something they hide to something they show; and from something that disgusts them to something that delights them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520653659109-9JJNGTWEEVCG7KZA9A1H/%23Luckymoon Mighty Moon SOMETHING THAT DELIGHTS THEM Mighty Moon’s products are designed to make the experience of using tampons delightful. The engravings on the applicators turn viewing menstrual blood into a magical experience as the engraved areas absorb blood and reveal the brand pattern. The applicator overturns the perception of menstrual blood from something that is annoying, gross or even dirty, to something that the user is delighted to see and experience. And in a brilliant twist, a select few of the applicators have an engraving of a heart instead of the pattern—randomly mixed in with the regular tampons—which users receive only once in a blue moon. When the user receives the "heart" applicator, she is encouraged to post the picture of it with the hashtag, #luckymoon. Together, Mighty Moon’s product lineup of tampons, carriers, and comics empower the users by turning the experience of menstruation from something they dread to something they look forward to; from something they hide to something they show; and from something that disgusts them to something that delights them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520654056748-I5IIMXW0KZ1Z3X8VE59H/PBX+Brand+Guideline_v3-01.png Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520653001404-YV0EGRN7YXK4YN1VM97I/MIGHTY+MOON_Market+Research.jpeg Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520639861704-JJA5XT8RB7PMBBMUYHKT/MIGHTY+MOON.001.jpeg Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520654599807-LKP87HM5JZMI09YNS16N/MIGHTY+MOON_Final+Presentation.005.jpeg Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520634635675-74BUNI69JJTEU0C5ZOSL/MIGHTY+MOON_Final+Presentation.006.jpeg Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520632685198-PUNA3BCET9LAZX3BLEMG/Process_IMG_5327_preview.jpg Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520632880590-0KNM9AAT05APO7DNXCSX/DSC_0034.jpg Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520632833508-AIB9OE9ABZWUGD58YWAR/IMG_5328.jpg Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520633085834-WYARL55N8WKOTQOG4NV5/IMG_5382.jpg Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520632855501-2UZTGASI7RECWV18VUYL/IMG_5383.jpg Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520632863169-SEBQTSX1FPA896WWPTY8/IMG_5385.jpg Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520632788340-1HKWX2WGDGUU6E6W3CT6/DSC_0097.jpg Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520632790949-NNS7WHF4XQI4NWVRWLMB/DSC_0115.jpg Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520632825629-4XQFX2FG38BON19B87EU/DSC_0126.jpg Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520632828180-0B421O8NJI2UKWKMZBU3/DSC_0127.jpg Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520632858750-EDPJXJGBOIN36QBPK56D/DSC_0130.jpg Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520632836765-UX2HSKD53ZJHUPWXPYXP/IMG_5348.jpg Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520632840258-9WF37ST17OVXKSCP5T3B/IMG_5361.jpg Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520632842374-M53GU6AB76H1D7W1ELTW/IMG_5364.jpg Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520632864200-XY799JE89RW4S63B294O/IMG_5544.jpg Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520791895356-99RXYR313OZF7ZV2OCUG/DSC_0053_preview.jpg Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520792744132-7L4K76MSTTGZOZDX6X7N/Tampon2.JPG Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520791895447-KE1WJ9Y1XTN0HQRAB7UJ/DSC_0076+2_preview.jpg Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520799783582-0JTN2DCS69XSFRR082D2/DSC_0066.jpg Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520791896889-MEBAMEC9WMYZG4X5AYKI/DSC_0078+2_preview.jpg Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520791897026-8XALL1Z5I51NRH14KU03/DSC_0089_preview.jpg Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520792792390-96DXTSUFAQHFIBL4OIYW/Photo+Oct+03%2C+1+56+54+AM.png Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520792791384-HTKEB8KIL6TPEVP4ZKCW/Photo+Oct+03%2C+2+28+12+AM.png Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520792793284-VD3BUAPHQ2XYE17B5WZK/Photo+Oct+03%2C+3+55+18+AM.png Mighty Moon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543356364435-RHJ142JVIRPFWFLYPNKH/Character%2BDrawing.jpg Mighty Moon http://www.manakotamura.com/awkward-middle-place daily 0.75 2022-10-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520714630191-3M050ACZG3QH2THC9BSZ/DSC_0181_edited_v2.jpg Awkward Middle Place https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539133500333-MHXRAT6XR0QOKA88ODD4/DSC_0099_edited.jpg Awkward Middle Place - What It Is Awkward Middle Place was a co-creation workshop that I hosted in November 2017 as a user research provocation for my masters thesis. I invited twelve immigrants and children of immigrants to express their experiences around race and assimilation by creating collages with magazine cutouts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539133622750-764M9QS6FVII1MT24I2Y/CoCreation_Book-0083.jpg Awkward Middle Place - How It Works Seven banners were positioned around a workspace, each marked with a prompt related to the immigrant experience. Then the guests were given several minutes to clip images from magazines I provided and use them to express a response in the form of a collage.. The artwork was then used to help guide a discussion in which I collected user insights. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543113012084-5GBCCR09G38GTQNY2VOA/CoCreation_Banners.png Awkward Middle Place https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539133833282-KQMB8OAGPOYGO9NUK23Q/DSC_0181_edited_v3.jpg Awkward Middle Place - The Outcome Many of the participants expressed feelings of shame, both in being white-washed and in being seen as a stereotype of their cultural background. One of the central tensions shared by several participants was the feeling of being torn between their their native heritage and an expectation of assimilation to white America. This tension was deeply colored by the relationship with their race. Different cultural markers distinguished and often marginalized them as exotic, primitive, or even childlike within the dominantly white communities in which the participants sought to belong. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1518172406481-XFCDFAQVG9SXUMQ8FAXH/Thesis+Offense+Deck_v6.004.jpeg Awkward Middle Place https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1518172261435-04TMOMA5ZZI1QL1B7PV1/Thesis+Offense+Deck_v6.005.jpeg Awkward Middle Place https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1518172370869-M3S6OVIP8UZNEFUDB4A4/Thesis+Offense+Deck_v6.006.jpeg Awkward Middle Place https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1519288308348-R34VWMQKOG80H4XIDOV0/Thesis+Offense+Deck_v6.011.jpeg Awkward Middle Place - Outcome Many of the participants expressed feelings of shame, both in being white-washed and in being seen as a stereotype of their cultural background. One of the central tensions shared by several participants was the feeling of being torn between their their native heritage and an expectation of assimilation to white America. This tension was deeply colored by the relationship with their race. Different cultural markers distinguished and often marginalized them as exotic, primitive, or even childlike within the dominantly white communities in which the participants sought to belong. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1544066074423-6EZBNJ6ZYIZSAEO6OD0U/Thesis+Deck_v1.001.jpeg Awkward Middle Place https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1518170999586-HJA6FJZVKN9HUABHCY9X/DSC_0052.JPG Awkward Middle Place https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1518171062469-PBEMZYNS085BVU4DSWFM/DSC_0056.JPG Awkward Middle Place https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1518171011839-HRMUDXKATI988ONHYJ9W/DSC_0051.JPG Awkward Middle Place https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1518170585255-LW54JRKAX2BH5GAM4SC6/DSC_0015.JPG Awkward Middle Place https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1518170922725-CBN09VHVY5L30P7D6Z9P/DSC_0055.JPG Awkward Middle Place https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1518171146652-VBFWYAB08S9LU8O19EOF/DSC_0078.JPG Awkward Middle Place https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1518170966089-29UAM2MDZZPAQUDE0536/DSC_0065.JPG Awkward Middle Place https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1518171188924-QN2T61EDF9XSA3KNQAMS/DSC_0080.JPG Awkward Middle Place https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1518171040421-8DO3SLZEPGR51VMXJI83/DSC_0072.JPG Awkward Middle Place https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1518171274911-R73W8HSG1IN6TWXUTPT1/DSC_0094.JPG Awkward Middle Place https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1518171107246-Y3H22O0EUP1K0HAEP1B5/DSC_0078.JPG Awkward Middle Place https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1518171361183-CSN69UIDU1KN96VOEUOF/DSC_0115.JPG Awkward Middle Place https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1519282530074-FG2IP77717NNTJAAPVAQ/DSC_0006.JPG Awkward Middle Place https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1519282531061-PBS2P42EHDNXNFDEEK3Y/DSC_0139.jpg Awkward Middle Place https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1519282539429-444GB2LFGVFHWIW78DSJ/DSC_0142.jpg Awkward Middle Place https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1519282538157-ZCVZ8W507Z62NTYY06OM/IMG_5600.jpg Awkward Middle Place http://www.manakotamura.com/dress-code daily 0.75 2018-12-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520718985391-MM1GADMJCE90SIDNP2EY/003.png Dress Code https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1540411557234-OMQPSQJFGFRH66N2JUPJ/Artboard+1.png Dress Code - What It Is Dress Code is a culturally authentic shopping platform that empower you to find clothes that are just as multi-cultural as you are. Through its database of tags that identify the cultural influences in pieces of clothing, it curates and suggests clothes that were inspired by your heritage. With Dress Code, you can own fashion in a way that is authentic to you not just stylistically but also culturally. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1519257420602-KRPHGIPWCZ8ETG2QSMU3/05_Manako_ServiceFinalDeck.005.jpeg Dress Code https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1519343176022-2ZVRHY9Z7GSE0W45Q58G/Idbo+Final+Deck_v5_forPortfolio.002.jpeg Dress Code https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1519921990297-41S8R2IXI11Q0H4NZSVW/DressCode_Web_Screen_1 Dress Code - How It Works When you sign up to Dress Code, you are asked to drop pins on a map to identify cultures associated with your identity. Then, it curates and suggests clothes for you to buy, and you can purchase clothes from various brands that partner with Dress Code and sell their products on its platform.It works great as a shopping platform, but it also serves as an educational platform. Through tapping on the specific cultural inspirations, you can learn about its tradition and craftsmanship that makes it unique. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1519922008816-8PJI6XAWV095PN0F66SM/DressCode_Web_Screen_2 Dress Code https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1519272972298-LB9GPYMYT97DI96H4U6V/DressCode_App_Screen_1 Dress Code https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1519275789077-S9KISV57M988B62QKWFK/DREBEL+subway+ad.png Dress Code - First User Acquisition #dresscodefriday social media campaign as part of the first user acquisition for this service. The campaign is essentially a costume office party where Dress Code would deliver a trunk-show-like kit of cultural clothes, tailored to the heritage of coworkers who sign up to the service, and they dress up and party in their office. Their posts and feeds would increase traffic to Dress Code, and whatever the users decide to keep, they can purchase the clothes after the party. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1519922083025-063ZEGZ8JZKP20Q8OQ2M/DressCode_Campaign_Mockup_1 Dress Code https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1519924689034-HU3KRXRFRRHE72HB372E/Artboard+1%402x.png Dress Code https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520043477004-UZTFNKFZ90PQR62NX8KN/Dress+Code_Alexa+Skills-01.png Dress Code https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1520192009695-KQZ0SZAD6CGDV6C1UYDK/Dress+Code_Alexa_Skill-02.png Dress Code https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1518169071139-LSOMELM99IG8FM12JU1O/IDBO_Screen1-01.png Dress Code https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1516585137699-JUOANS48CLM277ACC78L/IDBO_Screen1-02.png Dress Code https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1518169281360-68N75HG2PDEIV0THGDPS/Duo-AI-Mirror-1.jpg Dress Code https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1518169281096-8GSRX3MX8QMZXWUDJYF4/Duo-AI-Mirror-2.jpg Dress Code https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1518169282260-R8I8QCTGLCTYFN5XOR7I/Duo-AI-Mirror-3.png Dress Code https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1518169281674-9U3PJC1MU7PDUNVTGDL3/Oak+Labs.jpg Dress Code https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1518169283240-3B4M4GNWMSAJKAWO878L/Ralph+Lauren2.jpg Dress Code https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1518169283603-ZZCN3QN57VBLPGJZFS3R/Rebecca+Minkoff.jpg Dress Code https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1518169287608-FKVDRJBK0QIXX6LSS7PG/Ralph+Lauren5.jpg Dress Code https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1518169282662-W7YN51J0G1QM8ZF754EA/Ralph+Lauren+4.jpg Dress Code https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1516585282107-IKZITLPTNVYMHZZFCJWQ/Idbo_Tag_Mockup_UPDATE%402x.jpg Dress Code https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1516585344696-9GIACSXNPD6RSLSR9XJP/Idbo_Magazine_Mockup.jpg Dress Code http://www.manakotamura.com/mfa-thesis daily 0.75 2025-08-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539024199892-07UC7UAS92Y2P6YO1QY1/Tamura_Manako_UPDATE_THURSDAY_Thesis+Deck_v6.5.001.jpeg MFA Thesis - Hacking the Racial Binary: Design Provocations for Identity and Shame Type Masters Design Thesis Context Fall 2017 - Spring 2018 (9 months), MFA Products of Design, SVA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539025480180-5WD4ZCVBSXY8TLW26E1E/Hacking+the+Racial+Binary_Layout_v5.jpg MFA Thesis https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539025672656-S6PTM8ZMF4MAVJ4YEHYR/Tamura_Manako_THURSDAY_Thesis+Deck_v6.5.001.jpeg MFA Thesis https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539025676093-G6UPPJTKOI7KHY65PAEH/Tamura_Manako_THURSDAY_Thesis+Deck_v6.5.003.jpeg MFA Thesis https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539025692579-A4SWHG3E27QCCAE9DSF8/Tamura_Manako_THURSDAY_Thesis+Deck_v6.52.001.jpeg MFA Thesis https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539025796991-SJC99AL6R8QZGZUEY4KY/Tamura_Manako_THURSDAY_Thesis+Deck_v6.5.001.jpeg MFA Thesis https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539025732127-EJT8HH30DXH69WEPU0UZ/Tamura_Manako_THURSDAY_Thesis+Deck_v6.53.012.jpeg MFA Thesis https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1547607841219-UOE0NWB7RJURJE9LXKU3/Artboard%2B1.jpg MFA Thesis - What It Is Hacking the Racial Binary: Design Provocations for Identity and Shame focuses on identity crisis as a key form of oppression that Asian communities experience in America. Since the 1960s, Asian Americans have been labeled the ‘model minority.’ While they have benefitted from this almost-white status, they have also suffered: in order to be accepted in mainstream American culture, many Asian Americans had to efface the markers of their cultural heritage. My year-long thesis culminated in a suite of design explorations. I expressed my research and findings through workshops, apps, services, industrial design, and experience design. These speculative projects sought to challenge the status quo by empowering immigrants of color to more freely express their heritage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543107485733-1ZG69WGM8X2JDP8LB6RL/ColorOfSuccess_BookCover.png MFA Thesis https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543107289814-CSDCXDYLN35ZEVB46T8E/Emergence+of+Yellow+Power.png MFA Thesis https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543109804670-M4MA9ZV2PQCIOAS9EASI/Tamura_Manako_THURSDAY_Thesis+Deck_v6.5.001.jpeg MFA Thesis https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1547608326948-KVXVOBK5IUWE6WJ9CZ8F/Tamura_Manako_THURSDAY_Thesis%252BDeck_v6.53.009-01.jpg MFA Thesis - Conclusion These two opposing objectives, i.e. to fit in or to show their cultural heritage, are part of the everyday experience for the model minority as they navigate through prejudices, misperceptions, stereotypes, and personal shame. In acknowledging these two common perspectives, I learned to develop design solutions that confront a spectrum of concerns. For example, I created an app that could be used to help one user speak more comfortably with an accent, and to train another to speak standard English more fluently. In another exploration, I used a shopping platform to help users find clothes that reference their cultures while also exposing brands that practice exploitative cultural appropriation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539053459601-1SOJNLTG2AKZY2GGRKUD/Tamura_Workshop_DSC_0099.jpg MFA Thesis - Awkward Middle Place Awkward Middle Place is a co-creation workshop for second to third generation immigrants of color where they answer questions around their identities through collages. When do you feel American? How do you want to be perceived? What do you fear? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539053945777-RJJRAPGZICWLA1CDBNJE/Switch+Screen.003.jpeg MFA Thesis - Switch Switch is a mobile app that uses accent recognition to track one’s code switch. Depending on the users’ needs, it can nudge them to code switch less, encouraging them to speak more like their culturally authentic selves, or to code switch more, helping them learn to speak like their white colleagues at work, for instance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539054914632-W5MS9T79Z3VKEK2ATZDG/Idbo+Final+Deck_v5_forPortfolio_2.002.jpeg MFA Thesis - Dress Code Dress Code is a shopping platform that lets consumers find clothes that reference their cultural heritage. The database of cultures from which designers take inspiration enables the platform to serve another function: combat cultural appropriation by pressuring fashion brands to credit and partner with the marginalized communities that they exploit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539055185769-DCX2SN8K8ZY9YLC7YHVA/3DPD_Mask_Edited-9758.jpg MFA Thesis https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539055297309-KES2OX1QKZTS16DZ7E5M/EDITED_Manako%27s_SD_Smruti-0934.jpg MFA Thesis - Hyphen Hyphen is a pop-up event that Manako hosted in Union Square, where she encouraged more than 60 participants to celebrate the hyphens in their cultural identities through creating kaleidoscopes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543105082620-BI07J7T3CDZVKG27FE4X/Thesis+Book.jpg MFA Thesis http://www.manakotamura.com/hyphen-america daily 0.75 2022-10-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543421914799-QCQSX163DP4R6G2F6ZWS/EDITED_Manako%27s_SD_Smruti-0971.jpg Hyphen America https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543423639507-SK7FUWHYXZPXWTOZRBHD/EDITED_Manako%27s_SD_Smruti-1148.jpg Hyphen America - What It Is Hyphen America was a pop-up event that I hosted in Union Square in March 2018, where more than 60 participants created personalized “Hyphen Viewers,” i.e. kaleidoscopes that visualized and celebrated users’ rich and diverse cultural backgrounds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543259019432-4Y3TS9CF10AK29FQ96VM/Hyphen_LG_-1143.jpg Hyphen America - Step 1. Name cultures that you associate with your identity https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543117340456-8KV2MVLLWQDBW5NSX3ZD/Hyphen+Viewer_DSC_0027.JPG Hyphen America ‘Hyphen Viewer’ is a kaleidoscope that visualizes and celebrates your rich and diverse cultural backgrounds https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543118806919-JEBFLDP7YH3474QISEW5/Hyphen_v5.00_00_16_10.Still001.jpg Hyphen America - Step 2 Pick a card with a word that best describes you https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543117616510-T6HGNXJGLOIFM9MEYEUW/Hyphen_Props_Edited-0039.jpg Hyphen America The cards contained quotes from other immigrants of color about their experience in the country https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543116787194-2PUWO7S0ZR4V7VPERTNV/EDITED_Manako%27s_SD_Smruti-1094.jpg Hyphen America - Step 3 Place the word inside your kaleidoscope and add colors https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543117548707-8O9HIT4BVLZH23LG3PPC/Hyphen_Props_Edited-0057.jpg Hyphen America When you pick the word, you are given a sticker to place inside the kaleidoscope https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539057431333-0WMMY78XCQ1F6DN7MY6J/EDITED_Kaleidoscope-0054.jpg Hyphen America https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539057432184-1RLKXNUS5U2FO345I86Q/EDITED_Kaleidoscope-0065.jpg Hyphen America https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539057429657-PJFBDYDT1ZVXGGJ8N4LH/EDITED_Kaleidoscope-0021.jpg Hyphen America https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539057432919-NXMK1VPRX5DW7OOOVAIY/EDITED_Kaleidoscope-0085.jpg Hyphen America https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543116457886-AM3MDLHPS7NHZ1SGVQT8/EDITED_Manako%27s_SD_Smruti-0938.jpg Hyphen America - I say American. That’s the funny thing. I say it, but still they’re like what are you? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543116022616-V4E56S43W7T7AQWQEHYM/EDITED_Manako%27s_SD_Smruti-1002.jpg Hyphen America https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543116362843-E7GHMJVHN4O12FLBWFLY/655A1139.JPG Hyphen America https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543117169834-W5D5SCP4T4GDP4QC8EI5/EDITED_Manako%27s_SD_Smruti-1123.jpg Hyphen America - The Outcome In just two hours, we ran out of the 60 kaleidoscope kits I had prepared. User interviews revealed that many participants felt pressured to obscure their multicultural roots and identify with one culture. They had few opportunities to express the full intersectionality of their cultural identities, even though being combinations (i.e. ‘Hyphens’) felt the most authentic to them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1544628581214-8DVQPCUUUHOTE3J6SVUF/Hyphen_Props_9956.png Hyphen America https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543121005713-4EQRDU6QFLKGBYN57BS7/Asset+4%402x.png Hyphen America https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543121784612-OS7MB0BBOHCS03LRRXNO/Invitation+to+Hyphen.png Hyphen America Event Website + Invitation https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543121827629-LDF397QVJ969UBTMYMBG/Screen+Shot+2018-11-24+at+11.55.55+PM.png Hyphen America Instagram Page + teaser posts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543258942803-JBIA5J0H8N99LTL8SA6O/Hyphen_LG_-0852.jpg Hyphen America https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543121094810-8T3IHFFXIEOC2BWET9Z7/EDITED_Manako%27s_SD_Smruti-0879.jpg Hyphen America https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543121094780-LVBQYMN4E8LLE6S7CVM3/EDITED_Manako%27s_SD_Smruti-0883.jpg Hyphen America https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543121095818-KMUC37FRQH5ZUUQWVBDD/EDITED_Manako%27s_SD_Smruti-0913.jpg Hyphen America https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543257611777-LW3XWZZ29F67FWSCRO1O/EDITED_Manako%27s_SD_Smruti-0919.jpg Hyphen America https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543257622489-F0YVXU4GS2OD4ZUO6SSS/EDITED_Manako%27s_SD_Smruti-0960.jpg Hyphen America https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543423706727-JK87CRLC597W662P64TR/EDITED_Manako%27s_SD_Smruti-0968.jpg Hyphen America https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543122243726-TLKPCBXWR86KA6IHOHN5/EDITED_Manako%27s_SD_Smruti-1153.jpg Hyphen America https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1543122242920-GPZFJBMS6JQIFDFA3W5B/EDITED_Manako%27s_SD_Smruti-1041.jpg Hyphen America https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539058066400-9ZYE87DJABD2JOS83T3Q/IMG_0437.jpg Hyphen America https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539058074103-JHKJYK60KR2PODJ6CARM/IMG_0441.jpg Hyphen America https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539058076239-TXMQ2ISZFJIZD7HZ8JLF/IMG_0447.jpg Hyphen America https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539058083304-PYG8BK3XHOTGJCRVC9CC/IMG_0448.jpg Hyphen America https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539058085352-FT2HY0W0MYU8ZMZWXYJG/IMG_0454.jpg Hyphen America https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539058092551-F3UJ117LWLZ8IZ9XS4JS/IMG_0462.jpg Hyphen America https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539058065069-7HAC21UNTVL6KIYG7JIR/IMG_0408.jpg Hyphen America https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539058094729-T0QFWKTBSJZ0BJT6ZPZH/IMG_0482.jpg Hyphen America http://www.manakotamura.com/exquisite-candidate daily 0.75 2023-11-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539126405710-P1R8U8YU4OY0J1ALBUSW/TheExquisiteCandidate_6.jpg Exquisite Candidate https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539132700123-BTYIM3JTQUG1OSJIPZIZ/IMG_3703_edited.jpg Exquisite Candidate - What It Is Inspired by the exquisite corpse game, The Exquisite Candidate aimed to move past the differences highlighted in the 2016 election by asking participants “to build their ideal candidate—together.” Pairs of participants were asked to choose political statements that reflected both of their opinions, and use those cards to ‘build’ a candidate. The selected boards had illustrations of three body parts (head, body, and legs) printed on the back, which together formed a visual representation of their ideal candidate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539132727295-ERIAV9MXD1S4JXUCP526/TheExquisiteCandidate_1.jpg Exquisite Candidate - The Impact More than 30 participants built their candidates in Madison Square Park—ranging from an 80-year-old Trump supporter, to policemen, to teenagers. A common theme in their experiences was how tired and disappointed they felt about this year's election. Indeed, in many cases, the game revealed differences in the paired participants’ opinions. In response to her partner's supporting the statement that guns make communities safer, one participant exclaimed, ‘what?! you crazy?’ And while they did not necessarily resolve their differences during the game, they compromised and found other statements to agree on. Not a single pair failed in choosing their statements—and completing the figure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539128004320-O5KF1H4ASXLN7FOJVOO5/Exquisite+Candidate.jpeg Exquisite Candidate - The Exquisite Candidate Type: Experience Design Collaborators: Gahee Kang, Alexa Forney, Ailun Sai, Louis Elwood Leach, Smruti Adya Performed: Election day, November 7, 2016 in Madison Square Park Context: Fall 2016 (3 weeks) MFA Products of Design, SVA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539126896872-SI7AF1TGBFAEIFUKNZLB/TheExquisiteCandidate_2.jpg Exquisite Candidate https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539126898835-NW7WMI1IOMFBAZ6YC3A1/TheExquisiteCandidate_3.jpg Exquisite Candidate https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539126899306-J7QDAQ2GSQD6BVSV2NYD/TheExquisiteCandidate_4.jpg Exquisite Candidate https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539130963811-U6KALDRPXY76S3KIECDT/IMG_3901.jpg Exquisite Candidate https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539126901442-AOFXTHSLD0QV30HCATU4/TheExquisiteCandidate_6.jpg Exquisite Candidate https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539126901203-0ZXWX7V838DLLJD2CSR9/TheExquisiteCandidate_7.jpg Exquisite Candidate https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539126902029-QZ6Y58V1TLML5124T56D/TheExquisiteCandidate_8.jpg Exquisite Candidate https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539126902770-9R4J5KJ59AWYMLBHKWAX/TheExquisiteCandidate_9.jpg Exquisite Candidate https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539142445438-VJGCULSIC7TE8VHUVQ6P/14624829_1820333188242387_3323368637636542464_n.jpg Exquisite Candidate https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539142447425-9W8K8L4PK2N049I1XPPP/15034813_119702441839803_914846257594236928_n.jpg Exquisite Candidate https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539142449707-HQHDZZCDYV7QRMCYSKUY/15046850_1151956381519852_7475994592823738368_n%281%29.jpg Exquisite Candidate https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539142451252-ALWEWH54QG3CM8HQV0D7/14607144_1694260490886448_4513337443511959552_n.jpg Exquisite Candidate https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539127691052-59OD2D67LP04LIZIGUAT/TheExquisiteCandidate_Process_10.jpg Exquisite Candidate https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539127911918-JI6RJHHODS7Z379Q9WCF/Screen+Shot+2018-10-09+at+7.28.36+PM.png Exquisite Candidate https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539127701822-HY3PLBWVF5NPVR3G0WXS/TheExquisiteCandidate_Process_12.JPG Exquisite Candidate https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539127700324-XJJLH2A28GB0N7YUC74G/TheExquisiteCandidate_Process_11.JPG Exquisite Candidate https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539127912041-NUGN37GVE4UYXQFIRZKR/Screen+Shot+2018-10-09+at+7.31.20+PM.png Exquisite Candidate https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539129339729-UOIEY69PV4YG367J8WBM/IMG_3908.jpg Exquisite Candidate https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539142360684-SRUOK14LHZMY8UWF2U8G/14478376_365419247136174_5158199870741282816_n.jpg Exquisite Candidate https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1539142360863-OBRXDILTG18CQBGS4E31/14597224_333494093690918_4499109930552262656_n.jpg Exquisite Candidate http://www.manakotamura.com/xenophone daily 0.75 2019-08-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1566407763282-5F4ZM6LNO8NZPWND22E2/3DPD_Mask_Edited-9758.jpg Xenophone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1566412817593-YO84PC4YU3HRN7V5G4U1/Xenophone_-0038.jpg Xenophone - What It Is Xenophone is a speaker that is shaped like a mask. Using bone conduction technology, it creates a visceral experience that connects users with their ancestral stories in a tactile way. Upon recording a story with, for instance, their grandmother, the audio file lives within the mask and can be heard only when the user inhabits it. Through this speculative project, I sought to challenge the status quo whereby immigrants give up their heritage in order to win acceptance. The product elevates immigrants' unique family history to something that is protected and preserved. Especially for 2nd to 3rd generation immigrants who do not have direct experiences of their family's cultural heritage, inhabiting the mask becomes an empowering ritual that encourages users to cherish their family stories that otherwise could get lost. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1566413830453-W3YJ1YH51ICQGMB8KC6Q/EDITED_3DPD2-0001.jpg Xenophone - How It Works The mask employs a cutting-edge technology called bone conduction. Unlike regular speakers, it conducts sound through a magnetic field, rather than through sound waves, and when pressed against any surface, including one's body, it can turn anything into a speaker. There are speakers and headphones on the market that already employ this technology, where users press devices against their skin to hear music, rather than inserting earbuds in their years. Employing this technology, Xenophone transforms the experience of hearing one's family history into an intimate and tactile one. The user has to wear the mask and inhabit it, in order to hear the story in her bones. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1566413576538-D8VWI590HONNQVSLRVYM/Thesis+Deck_v6.3.001-01.jpg Xenophone - 3 Steps 1. Download Xenophone's accompanying app on a smartphone. 2. Open this app with, say, your grandmother, and record her story of how she migrated to the US, a story that might otherwise go untold. Sync the app with the actual Xenophone mask-speaker, so that the audio file is stored within it. 3. Turn on the mask, wear it, and hear grandmother’s story through your bones to connect with with it in an intimate way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1566416850397-BFREYXN433HCF2OBH3GV/RegularSpeaker_Animation.gif Xenophone With regular speakers, soundwaves reach ear drums and vibrate them https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1566416876332-BQA6KPWFWYSJ4I4OWEL4/BoneConduction_Animation.gif Xenophone Bone conduction inducer sends vibrations that bypass ear drums and reach inner ears directly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1566417564124-K0LU73QQHLXJN0H5MDH0/bone+conduction+parts+adafruit.jpg Xenophone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1566418016102-J0T521QNNO25K2PQUYWK/3d_printing_boneconductor-circuit-diagram.png Xenophone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1566417607868-ZVR4UAQXYY2B4X26ZZJF/EDITED_3DPD2-0033.jpg Xenophone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1566417637157-APYWCZ1VL4PS0HUDXR1O/EDITED_3DPD2-0016.jpg Xenophone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1566417243890-CKCIHDF8G1W4CMCA9CJR/EDITED_3DPD2-0002.jpg Xenophone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1566417243823-CLU86L9L9EPK1UIWCY2O/EDITED_3DPD2-0012.jpg Xenophone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1566417244656-7CHLKO6SJMUYPG2VLRUI/EDITED_3DPD2-0077.jpg Xenophone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1566417244657-AZ867M2FT8DYVYEFNXVU/EDITED_3DPD2-0090.jpg Xenophone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1566417245203-927XS033WOBWSZ0I0XHM/EDITED_3DPD2-0098.jpg Xenophone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1566417245342-FGQ3SD8RZRB5DUZG1E3U/EDITED_3DPD2-0106.jpg Xenophone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1566417245546-K9HDVFA0YK2TKFX2JAUK/EDITED_3DPD2-7216.jpg Xenophone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1566417245719-V1MJU5SM0F0BP48X1YJO/EDITED_3DPD2-7230.jpg Xenophone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1566418160021-2JJSMDKB56HDB5WS3FZO/3DPD2_Chinese+building-01.jpg Xenophone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1566418163849-MYKTIWQNKD8Z88HYINAM/3DPD2_Islamic+Architecture-01.jpg Xenophone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1566418187258-78ZA3M542WNBSDTVKG9L/3DPD2_Islamic+Architecture-02.jpg Xenophone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1566418185314-1NQG7TC3G4S6CDWUHW3P/3DPD2_Torii.jpg Xenophone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1566417826932-M6O99Q63IHDNQSGQ200K/IMG_0716_EDITED.jpg Xenophone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1566417811429-SKXLANR0O7WZKVB6GM6K/Xenophone_-0035.jpg Xenophone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1566417812934-59TZBPTL4X85XXZMWNB2/Xenophone_-0027.jpg Xenophone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1566417824843-11Z9ALJLCQ9YY1G80T13/IMG_0658_EDITED.jpg Xenophone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1566417841317-3T5XD2C56HWZODH7ZD4X/IMG_0792_EDITED.jpg Xenophone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1566417840759-2XQJPS4HU8BOOACP8OBQ/IMG_0635_EDITED.jpg Xenophone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1566417847171-8UTB1X775H6D6RLWMMY1/IMG_0622_EDITED.jpg Xenophone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1566417941974-CPR3WB91G3CAYF19KQCA/3DPD_Bong_Edited-0327.jpg Xenophone http://www.manakotamura.com/ponce-lab daily 0.75 2022-10-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1660098079342-9QG7734ZOA6C5WIM2QE2/PonceLab-6655.jpg Ponce Lab https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/2ebfd592-2577-4658-a517-ed6091585358/PonceLab-6697.jpg Ponce Lab - What It Is A pop up branch that operated for three months as a “Co-Creation Space” where the bank ran internal workshops to imagine new service models, actually offered them to customers, got feedback right away, and iterated on them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/45678db9-886d-42de-8dd7-592d80287f3a/PonceLab-6701.jpg Ponce Lab - Step 1. Greeter invites Customers to participate in the co-creative process. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/537bb4c6-88e1-4649-ad19-1523a2cc13e3/PonceLab-6922.jpg Ponce Lab - Step 2. Ponce Banker escorts Customers to a station and provides banking service. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/d40dca92-8c30-48fa-9e9a-157f3d971bf7/PonceLab-7017.jpg Ponce Lab - Step 3. Customer gives feedback by rating their experience and sharing ideas. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/a7dc2753-b902-45c0-854b-964624abc57f/Journey.png Ponce Lab - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1660104178489-ZFYFUA0DPXX01MNT4R99/RunOfShow_Script.png Ponce Lab - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/6b2a35b9-95ab-4b41-a16c-b4de6a93bae4/IMG_4423+copy.jpg Ponce Lab - The Outcome The lab became an instigator for change in the staff’s mindsets: their inputs mattered, and they had the power to transform customer service. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/264867e3-de1c-48dd-ba91-ed2c9e28863a/IMG_1927.jpeg Ponce Lab https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/17f759ea-a090-4ebd-81ac-0a72f73f2015/IMG_1921.jpeg Ponce Lab - I say American. That’s the funny thing. I say it, but still they’re like what are you? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/7d5c4270-400c-4cd1-b08d-4f1b467fbca1/IMG_1923.jpg Ponce Lab https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1660099494300-F83I11DGI1S34G59UIJM/PonceLab-6849.jpg Ponce Lab https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1660099494845-1MNFVH2ATHJTWAXDLG3A/PonceLab-6896.jpg Ponce Lab https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1660099495918-PAZUXH9VFXC0VCRSTA0O/PonceLab-6910.jpg Ponce Lab https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1660099497780-8GVDSS1T8YHGVPHTE70F/PonceLab-6936.jpg Ponce Lab https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1660100366219-13BKWPW1EF1FQNZGMNRZ/IMG_4438.jpg Ponce Lab https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1660101706998-LW9ZP2ZEWZJ72UCQDAI2/Photo+Feb+13%2C+3+19+19+PM.jpg Ponce Lab https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1660102110655-T296X9T0CNZOQ0ZFZ42X/Moodboard.png Ponce Lab https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1660101774207-MCPFPGPBZDG021DEJUG7/DSC_0011.JPG Ponce Lab https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1660100026833-KWSR3BRSR6AG612F7PWK/IMG_1314.jpeg Ponce Lab https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1660101849547-UUX42EWW61POTE05DI4T/DSC_0023.JPG Ponce Lab https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cd6ecfe4b0cabda5c62aab/1660100307620-SG51SR7IG5RH2BLJKFCZ/IMG_1586.jpeg Ponce Lab