My name is Clarence (Yu-Ren Lai). I’m a multidisciplinary designer focused on translating research insights and abstract ideas into clear, human-centered outcomes across visual, physical, and spatial contexts.

My background spans industrial design, service design, and visual communication across Taiwan, the United States, and Japan. I developed a research-driven approach through training in System Design Thinking at the College for Creative Studies, where I learned to translate insights into accessible visual communication through data visualization and motion. During this time, my illustration work was also recognized by Bill Morrison (The Simpsons, Futurama).

I have worked across both agency and in-house environments, including at Sparks in the US and GK Kyoto in Japan, contributing to branding and visual development in fast-paced, cross-cultural teams. These experiences shaped my ability to turn complex ideas into visual outcomes that are not only refined, but also strategically aligned and communicative.

Currently based in Tokyo, I work as a furniture designer, collaborating with manufacturers to bring concepts into production. My work includes projects for international IP clients, where I translate character identity into form through visual language and buildable structures, bridging creative intent with real-world constraints.

I believe empathy and observation are essential to meaningful experiences. Through reading, such as Empire of Signs and Tokyo Sanpo, and engagement with the city, I deepen my understanding of how people interact with their environments.

Eligible to work long-term in Japan, I am seeking opportunities in international environments where I can contribute to meaningful, concept-driven design.