Ayumi Oishi
User Experience Researcher
Hi there, I'm Ayumi
I am a UX Researcher with over 3 years of experience in user research, prototyping, and optimizing digital products. Specializing in ethnographic research, user testing, and data-driven decision-making, I have a proven track record of enhancing user experience and increasing engagement through thoughtful design.
Growing up with a brother who has hearing loss sparked my strong interest in accessibility and inclusive design. Currently, I am pursuing my Master’s in Human-Centered Design & Engineering at the University of Washington, where I was selected as one of 16 Fulbright Scholars in Japan. I am also working on a neurodiversity-focused research project with the Connected Learning Alliance, acting as a bridge between U.S. and Japanese researchers. I am passionate about creating an accessible and inclusive world through technology and am dedicated to driving impactful, user-centered solutions.
I spend my time taking photos, cooking, sailing and yachting, and exploring places. Let's chat — info.ayumioishi@gmail.com
Experience
UX Research Assistant
University of Washington
September 2022 - Present
Research Assistant
Connected Learning Alliance
Mar 2024 - Present
UX Researcher
Woven by Toyota
May 2023 - Jul 2024
UX Designer
Rakuten Group, Inc. Japan
February 2022
System Engineer
Sunlight System Service, Inc. Japan
April 2017 - March 2018
Accounting Team Lead
KDDI Evolva, Inc. Japan
April 2014 - January 2017
*Non UX related
Handled UX research / design for children on the autism spectrum to improve the usage of their augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) aids.
Conducted 5 times of field observations and 3 times of interviews with different users as ethnographic research to analyze the domain of the application.
Created a an empirically based, low-fidelity prototype from scratch that focuses on context-aware feature and emergency mode.
Contributed to research for the development of a joint project between a neurodiversity-focused school and a technical institute.
Conducted literature reviews, interviewed 10+ Japanese researchers to assess needs and establish project concepts.
Initiated outreach activities and collaborative annual events between U.S. and Japanese organizations, and managed the creation of online content, including design and translation.
Developed a smart city energy dashboard prototype, leveraging insights from a 60+ participant internal survey to refine design features.
Carried out needs analysis and 15+ times user testing for a mobile app dashboard designed for energy usage in smart homes equipped with solar panel storage systems.
Led research, concept design, and user testing for an EV charging app as part of energy-related product development to promote CO2-free behavior.
Proposed payment application features focused on increasing the interoperability between different service platforms at a Japanese company that focuses on e-commerce and provides many online services.
Conceptualized strategic design and created a prototype that can be used cross-platform on various in-house services.
Validated the concept and prototype by conducting A/B testing and measuring the frequency of user transactions.
Designed and tested the release of a mobile app for Android and iPhone by defining user requirements and functions to successfully evaluate property management systems.
Redefined the requirements of an existing in-house QR payment system by conducting market research in order to anticipate and meet the needs of prospective target customers.
Created a system design and proposed a system service using the in-house application to enhance the user experience in the games of the Japanese major baseball team.
Organized a team of 6 members that links corporate customers' deposits to the internal system at a major telecommunications company to reduce the monthly unaccounted deposits by coordinating tasks with clients.
Proposed creating a tool for accounting work for efficiency and aligned with the systems engineering team, created a manual of operations.
Reduced accounting registration work by approximately 76%, and the monthly unaccounted deposits by approximately 80%.
Education
Master of Science in Human Centered Design and Engineering
University of Washington
June 2026 (Expected)
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Software Engineering
University of Washington
December 2022
Associate of Science in Computer Science
Seattle Central College
August 2020
Fulbright Japan Scholar 2024-2025
Annual Dean's List 2021-2022
Scholarship to attend the virtual Grace Hopper Conference 2020 (October 2020)
Tau Sigma National Honor Society
Top five of the American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges Math Competition (November 2019)
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
Let's Get
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