A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University’s Industrial Design program, Jimi Okelana is a creative producer with a background in product design and a passion for storytelling. His multicultural ethnicity as an American of Swiss-Nigerian descent allows him to approach each of his projects with a global mindset. Currently living and working in Japan, his drive to communicate ideas from concepts to deliverables has allowed him to gain a unique understanding of the Japanese market.

Through his proficiency in the Japanese language and professionally focused goals, he has helped to launch various publications and products with positive results from his clients and their consumers. He is also currently the Editor-in-Chief and co-founder of a Japanese trend website (www.axiommagazine.jp) that was picked up by the New York Times and featured in an ALC Journal, one of the largest publishers in Japan.

Jimi’s contacts in various media and product industries have allowed him to work with General Motors, Denso, COBO Design, The Japan Times, Nagoya Television, HOPE International Development Agency Japan, Redbull Japan, and Tommy Hilfiger Japan as well as global artists such as “Last Samurai” author Helen Dewitt and renowned photographer Mitsuko Nagone. Through his process of connecting people through the mediums they relate to, he continues to explore the boundaries of his discipline with an open mind. Currently seeking opportunities to utilize his specialized skillset, Jimi can be reached at jokelana@gmail.com

(scroll down for English version)

2004-2007
・カーネギーメロン大学でインダストリアルデザインを専攻
・名古屋造形大学に留学中、GMのインターフェイスデザインプ
ロジェクトに参加
・Microsoftとピッツバーグ大学病院の患者管理デザインプロジェ
クトに参加
・ソーラーパワーコンペの空間デザイナーに選出
2007-2008
・キャデラック、シボレーのオーディオIFと、メーター系のコンセプ
　ト制作を担当
2008-2009
・来日し、名古屋造形大学研究生プログラムに参加
・美濃市で和紙のデザインと研究を実施
2009 – 現在
・名古屋でフリーランスデザイン、イラストレーターの仕事を開始
・トレンド分析サイト「アクシオンマガジン」設立し、ニューヨーク
　タイムズ、CNNなどに注目されている。
FOURIN社での自動車業界レポート＆編集、ジャパンタイムスの
　イラストレーター、 トミーヒルフィガーのコンサルタントやモデ
　ル等も兼任

2011
-Attended FOURIN, Inc. China Automotive Seminar as Editor-in-Chief for FOURIN, Inc., Beijing, CN
-Employed for marketing campaign with Tommy Hilfiger Japan’s flagship store opening, Higashiura, Aichi, JP
-Employed for marketing campaign with Or Glory Japanese clothing brand’s fall and winter catalog, Osu Kannon, Aichi, JP
-Employed by Hoshigaoka Terrace as creative talent for Halloween campaign, Nagoya, JP
-Print and online illustrator for Japan Times Newspaper

2010
-Held design exhibition at “Plastic Factory,” Nagoya, JP
-Employed as talent at Nagoya Television for broadcast show highlighting foreign perspectives on Japanese culture
-Co-founded Online Japanese Trend Blog “Axiom Magazine” cited by the New York Times and Reddit which achieved over 100,000 users in the first six months
-Passed Japanese Language Proficiency Test N3 Certification

2009
-Began working as freelance designer and illustrator based in Nagoya, Japan

2008
-Moved to Nagoya, Japan.
-Attended Nagoya Zokei University Research Student Program
-Conducted design and cultural research at Mino Washi Paper Museum

2007
-Winner of Adobe Design Achievement Award: Communication Design, Pittsburgh, PA.
-Interactive Art Concept Designer for Carnegie Mellon University’s Solar Decathlon Global Entry Competition “Plug and Play” Design held in Washington, D.C.
-Employed by General Motors Research and Development Division for conceptual audio interface and instrument panel cluster design for Cadillac and Chevrolet brands, CMU Human Computer Interaction Lab, Pittsburgh, PA
-Held first design exhibition at “Frame Gallery” Pittsburgh, PA
-Participant in Microsoft and University Of Pittsburgh Medical Center patient-flow service design project
-Graduated Carnegie Mellon University with focus on Human and Computer Interaction design, Pittsburgh, PA

2006
-The Great Global Sustainability Challenge Symposium, 2nd Place Participant, Pittsburgh, PA.
-Accepted into Nagoya Zokei University’s Product Design Foreign Exchange program for full semester
-Selected as participant for Honda Design Rendering Course, Komaki, Japan
-Soft goods designer for LEED’s company sponsored research project for messenger bags
-Awarded “Clutch Player Award” for work as editor of “Tartan ” Carnegie Mellon University Newspaper
-Employed as Carnegie Mellon University School of Design Print Lab Technician

2005
-Accepted as member into IDSA and AIGA, Pittsburgh Chapters
-Mechanic apprenticeship at Forbes Automotive Vehicle Repair, Richmond, VA

2004
-Attended Carnegie Mellon University Industrial Design Program on Scholarship Grant, Pittsburgh, PA

2003
-Attended university course program at Virginia Commonwealth University; enrolled in Mathematics, History, and Communications Design programs Richmond, Virginia

2000
-Accepted into Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts and Technology; enrolled in technology course, Petersburg, Virginia
-Designed winning entry for Petersburg Symphony Orchestra logo and visual identity competition

1996
-Accepted into Millwood College Prepatory School, Midlothian, Virginia

1995
-Won first prize state-wide event illustration competition presented by mayor of New York City

1992
-Attended elementary school P.S. 29 in Brooklyn, NY

1990
-Moved to Philadelphia, PA, USA

1988
-Moved to Zurich, Switzerland

1986
-Born in Lagos, Nigeria