What's it like in the Creative Departments at Rakuten?
MEMBER
Creative Design Strategy Department
KenyaJoined in 2022
Miu Joined in 2022
AyaJoined in 2023
ThijsJoined in 2023
To everyone who joined Rakuten through Design Course recruitment program, thank you for gathering today. I'm Tako, in charge of new graduate recruitment. Could we start with a quick round of introductions, please?
Hi, I'm Miu. I'm part of the Rakuten Design Lab. I graduated from the Department of Visual Communication Design at Musashino Art University, where I specialized in communication design. I love doing yoga and camping in my spare time.
Miu
Hey there, I'm Aya. I studied Industrial Product Design at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. My focus was on industrial design for things like chairs and playground equipment. My hobbies are yoga and Pilates.
Aya
Hi everyone, I'm Thijs! I graduated from the Faculty of Economics at Kyoto University. I studied cultural design, incorporating perspectives from social sciences and humanities. My hobby is eating authentic Chinese food.
Thijs
Authentic Chinese food?
I have a colleague from China, and we have fun exploring authentic Chinese restaurants and enjoying Chinese cuisine together.
Thijs
I'm Kenya. I studied at the Department of Design in the Faculty of Engineering at Chiba University, where I learned about graphic design, product design, environmental design, and eventually specialized in UX/UI. Lately, I've been really into hopping off the train a few stations early and walking home. Just the other day, I strolled home between Ikejiri-Ohashi and Shimokitazawa stations!
Kenya
Great, let's dive into what you've been working on. Could you share with us what you've done so far and what you're currently working on?
In my first year, I was mainly assigned to the Usability Assurance team where we conducted user tests. These requests for user tests are made by different business departments, so we first conduct an interview to identify what aspects we should measure. We then recruit people who fit the profile, conduct tests where they actually try the product, and identify usability issues with the service. We then analyze these issues, come up with improvement plans, and provide feedback to the business. User testing was a new experience for me, and it was eye-opening for me to see what puzzles actual users. Currently, I'm working in web direction and operation, where I solve problems by creating things like landing pages.
Kenya
Since joining the company, I've been part of the Rakuten Design Lab, creating design assets like logos and app icons. Initially, I worked alongside senior colleagues, but recently, I've been doing more design work on my own, which I find rewarding. Currently, I'm working on package designs for Rakuten Books! It's new to me as I've mostly created digital designs up until now. It's tough and I'm constantly printing to verify the size and appearance, but thinking about how it will actually reach the users makes me excited!
What I learned in university is helpful to start, but I used to just create whatever I wanted, and since I started my job, I've started to create designs based on users' voices. It's challenging, but also very rewarding.
Miu
What about our two first-year employees? What are you currently engaged in?
I've been involved in a variety of projects, from creating flyers for new graduate recruitment, proposing UX improvements for Rakuten Recipe, to conducting design research for Rakuten Card. In addition, I've also been working on summarizing the process of design thinking and even had the chance to observe accessibility reviews conducted by the Usability Assurance team, which Kenya just mentioned!
Aya
Through my work, I'm learning every day about how to express Rakuten through design. It really gives me a sense of reality of working as a designer at Rakuten.
Thijs
We also do quite a lot of group work. During my university days, I mostly worked individually and never really had to share my thought process with others, so it's been a challenge to articulate why I arrived at a certain idea that just popped into my head.
Aya
Rakuten values "verbalization" in everything, so it must be hard, but keep up the good work!
By the way, why did you all decide to join Rakuten?
I was intrigued by how unified the brand is, even though it's such a large group. I wondered how they managed to achieve that. I was also interested in working with renowned designer Kashiwa Sato.
Miu
I decided to join because I thought it would be interesting to be involved in business as a designer. It's also appealing that I can work on a huge number of services to keep me interested. The decisive factor was the manager of Creative Design Strategy Department, Mr. Nabe. I was preparing myself for a no-nonsense person to come out for the final interview, but I was surprised at how nonchalant he was. I was actually still considering other companies at that time, but I was so grateful of the frank advice he gave on my career and I felt a strong desire to work under him.
Thijs
I did an internship at a startup company doing UX/UI work and thought I wanted to make this my job. Rakuten has a lot of different services, and it felt like the company provide chances for anyone willing to try, which excited me. After joining, I realized that even if you're young or a newcomer, if you've got a good point, your ideas are quickly adopted. That happened during my Usability Assurance project, where they decided to implement an idea I proposed on the spot, and I thought, "What a great company!"
Kenya
I absolutely love Rakuten's mission of "Empowerment." I joined Rakuten because I wanted to make a difference in society through design. Having studied overseas myself, I think it's wonderful how the company is striving to make an impact on the global stage from Japan.
In addition, I wanted to work in a vibrant environment where young people can play an active role, something that might be harder at traditional Japanese companies. The pace here is as fast as I had heard, or maybe even more. Everything moves quickly, providing daily stimulation!
Aya
Aya just spoke about going abroad, which Kenya has not experienced before. But Rakuten’s official internal language is English, so how has it been for you, Kenya, since joining the company?
I have never lived abroad and wasn't particularly good at English, so I studied hard before joining the company. 800 on the TOEIC test was a pre-requisite for joining, but I hadn't reached that when I got my job offer, so my parents used to call me every day to check on my study progress! But all the hard work paid off, and I managed to clear the 800 mark.
Since joining, I've tried my best to communicate in English even if it isn't perfect. I learned that even if you can't speak fluently, if you try your best to convey your thoughts, they'll be understood!
Kenya
I agree! It doesn’t matter if your pronunciation is not perfect or if you stutter a bit. English or any other languages are just a mean for communication, and so long as you try, others will appreciate and understand.
Aya
So experience overseas is not so important as long as you have the skills to communicate. What kind of work would you like to do in the future?
I was so happy the first time I saw a user using something I had designed for Rakuten Optimism! That’s why I would like to be more involved in event and spatial design!
Miu
I’ve mostly worked on web projects so far, and I would like to get involved in app UX/UI design.
Kenya
I hope that one day something I proposed and designed myself will be released and used externally by users.
Aya
I want to solve the pain points of businesses through design!
Thijs
How does a typical work day look like for you?
I usually arrive at the office at around 8 a.m. and eat breakfast in the cafeteria before going to work. I finish work at around 6 p.m., chat a bit with my colleagues, and then eat dinner around 7 p.m in the cafeteria before heading home. Recently I'm considering starting to go to the company's gym (Rakuten Fitness Club & Spa).
Thijs
My hours vary depending on how busy I am with work, but generally, I come to the office at around 9-10 a.m. and leave at around 7 p.m. And I’m actually a member of the gym! It's great, with a hot tub and sauna. I tend to spend my evenings going for walks or playing video games.
Kenya
My daily schedule looks pretty similar to Kenya's. I like that that we can use the flexible working hours system at Rakuten. After work, I enjoy trying out new restaurants around the office in the Futako-Tamagawa area. Thijs and Kenya mentioned the gym, but the massage place inside the office is also nice! I go there to relax from time to time.
Miu
I come in at 8:30 a.m. and eat breakfast in the cafeteria, sometimes with my colleagues. I usually leave the office around 5:30 p.m., after which I sometimes might go to yoga class.
Aya
Speaking of company facilities, there's also a hair salon. Sometimes my team members would go to get a quick haircut during lunch break and return in the afternoon with a new hairstyle! Come to think of it, Thijs, you live in a company dormitory. How is it?
It's comfortable! It's close to the office and has good access, and the only shared space is the kitchen, so it allows for privacy. There’s around 15 of us living there, some of which have studied abroad or used to live in other regions of Japan. I've made a lot of friends and every day is fun.
Thijs
How do you spend your days off?
I recently went to see our soccer team Vissel Kobe play at Rakuten Super Match, and I had so much fun cheering with my colleagues!
Aya
I went to Tokyo Disney Sea with some of my colleagues! We were able to get a good deal through Rakuten's employee benefit program! It's also easy to take paid leave, isn't it?
Kenya
Yes, it's really easy to take paid leave. I often take some breaks to go on domestic trips!
Miu
You all seem to enjoy time with your colleagues, but how’s your relationship with your managers?
Our managers are easy to talk to. They're all great!
Aya
They're always looking out for me, which I appreciate!
Thijs
We've heard a lot about the good points of Rakuten, but are there any aspects that you found weird?
I wouldn’t say weird, but I was surprised by how much time our CEO Mickey saves for us new grads. Every morning, he spares 30 minutes of his time to do a lecture for us! He also appears at Asakai (Rakuten’s weekly all-hands meeting), which are held every Monday at 8 a.m. I don't know about other companies, but I think we have quite a few opportunities to come in touch with our CEO.
Aya
We also have opportunities to directly propose designs to Mickey. Although I get nervous when speaking with him, I appreciate the feedback he gives us and the consideration he gives to try and understand the intentions of our team.
Miu
That’s nice! If you were to describe Rakuten in one word, what would it be?
Energetic!
Miu
Speedy!
Kenya
Fun. It doesn't really feel like work!
Aya
Freedom. And also, a home away from home.
Thijs
You all have very interesting viewpoints. Lastly, who do you think would be a good fit for Rakuten?
Anyone full of curiosity!
Aya
Anyone who always finds something they enjoy in their work!
Kenya
Rakuten's Design Course recruitment is perfect for those who want to solve problems using design or creatives and those who want to take on challenges at an early stage of their career. If you're interested in working with us, please apply!
RECRUITING INFORMATION
Business Positions
For those who want to deepen their understanding of the entire Rakuten Group and aim for versatile career development.
- Comprehensive Business Specialty Hiring Track
- Corporate Specialty Hiring Track
- FinTech Specialty Hiring Track
- Design Specialty Hiring Track
- Marketing Specialty Hiring Track
- Comprehensive Business Specialty Hiring Track
- Corporate Specialty Hiring Track
- FinTech Specialty Hiring Track
- Design Specialty Hiring Track
- Marketing Specialty Hiring Track
Engineer Positions
For those who aspire to become world-class engineers.
- Applications Engineer
- Infrastructure Engineer
- Data Scientist / Researcher
- Security Engineer
- Information Security / Privacy Governance Specialist
- Technology Management
- Product Management
- Development Support（Q&A, etc.)
- Applications Engineer
- Infrastructure Engineer
- Data Scientist / Researcher
- Security Engineer
- Information Security / Privacy Governance Specialist
- Technology Management
- Product Management
- Development Support（Q&A, etc.)