From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the sleek pages of fashion magazines, Megumi Hiramoto‘s journey as a designer is both captivating and inspiring. Today, as a respected visual designer, Megumi creates accessible and meaningful visuals for the EdTech sector, using her diverse experiences and background to forge a lasting social impact.

Born and raised in Japan and after spending seven years in college in the heart of Tokyo, Megumi naturally gravitated towards the city’s efficient and practical design ethos. Influenced by her surroundings, she cultivated an appreciation for the delicate balance between aesthetics and functionality. This passion led her to an internship at ELLE Japan and to work at Harper’s BAZAAR Japan, where she refined her skills in commercial and marketing artwork.

Born into a family of medical professionals, Megumi chose a different path, following her heart to study design. However, she has always wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. This drive led her to the realm of user-friendly design equity, particularly in the educational technology sector.

Megumi’s exceptional skills have not gone unnoticed. As a young designer, she quickly gained the trust of her seniors, leading her team and spearheading multiple product accessibility projects. Her unique perspective stems from her upbringing, fashion journalism experience, and a genuine desire to create products that cater to diverse audiences.

Navigating the challenges of balancing approachability and aesthetics, Megumi often reflects on the core purpose of her work. By prioritizing user needs and removing unnecessary elements, she streamlines her visuals while ensuring they remain appealing and accessible.

Another challenge Megumi faces is spreading awareness about the importance of accessibility and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in graphic design. In a field often driven by budget constraints and political considerations, Megumi perseveres in her quest to enlighten fellow employees and senior leadership about the need for inclusive and equitable products. Through case studies and demos, she highlights the stark differences between user-friendly and non-accessible products, emphasizing their impact on users.

Megumi’s wisdom is a testament to her relentless pursuit of excellence in design. She believes in the harmonious blend of creativity and engineering, reminding us that inclusive design is not only important but also achievable. Designing with empathy is at the core of her philosophy, ensuring that her creations always remain both inclusive and impactful.

In the coming years, Megumi envisions herself as part of new product development initiatives, with accessibility at the forefront. Building on her current success in leading design teams, she aims to expand her influence to other areas within her company and become a consultant for design accessibility.

Megumi Hiramoto’s dedication to accessibility and design equity is reshaping the EdTech landscape. By seamlessly integrating Tokyo’s metropolitan design influence with her passion for social impact, she creates innovative graphics that resonate with diverse audiences. Megumi’s unwavering advocacy for user-friendly design challenges the status quo and inspires others to make a difference. Through her unique blend of creativity, empathy, and engineering, Megumi proves that when design is inclusive, it becomes a powerful force for positive change. As she continues to transform the EdTech sector through her innovative visuals and steadfast commitment to accessibility, we can’t help but be inspired by her journey. Follow Megumi and view her captivating designs on Instagram.