Where It Began

Introduction

Most portfolios are collections of finished work.
They're polished, carefully curated, and only show the end result.
While I enjoy sharing the things I've built, I don't want this website to be just another gallery of projects.

This blog is a place to document the journey behind them.
I'll be writing about programming, design, creativity, things I'm learning, mistakes I've made, and occasionally a bit about my personal life.

I'm still learning myself and I certainly don't have all the answers.
But if something I write helps another developer, designer, or aspiring engineer who's just as lost as I am, then it has served its purpose.

Growing Up Between Different Countries

I was born and raised in Chiba, Japan, a prefecture just east of Tokyo.
After high school, I went to university to study architecture.
At the time, it felt like the right choice. I’d always enjoyed creating things and liked the idea that a well-designed space can impact the way people feel or live.

But after some time, I realised it wasn't quite what I had imagined.
I enjoyed the creative aspects, but I couldn't see myself following that path for the long term.
Leaving university wasn't an easy decision.
But looking back, it was one of the most important turning points in my life.

When I decided to start over, I chose to study overseas.
English had actually been a big part of my life since high school.
I'd spent hours listening to artists like Queen, Coldplay, and Linkin Park, watched hours of YouTube, and taught myself English just because I enjoyed it.
Australia stood out for several reasons. It offered a multicultural environment, proximity to Japan, a more flexible education system, and a relatively shorter path to graduation compared to other countries.

Discovering Creativity

My origami account: Instagram

Long before I discovered programming, I was folding paper.
Origami has been part of my life since I was around seven, when my mothe taught me how to fold a paper crane.

People often think origami is simply following instructions, but it's much more than that.
It requires patience, precision, geometry, and occasionally mathematics.

A few years ago, I began designing my own models instead of following introduction.
My style became minimal and abstract rather than highly realistic or overly complex.
I'm fascinated by how much can be expressed from just a few folds.

One artist who has had a significant influence on me is Giang Dinh.
His work embraces simplicity in a way that feels intentional. His philosophy extends beyond origami and has shaped how I think about design in general.

He writes:
"Simple and elegant are not at all easy to achieve, even though at first glance those works look easy to do.
With the same few folds, one pinch with a different pressure can make a big difference.
It is hard enough to paint a portrait so one can recognize the person.
Only with a few strokes and the viewer can still recognize that person?
That is 'The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.'
Those few lines must capture directly the soul of the subject."

Whether I'm designing an origami model, creating an interface, or writing code, I ask myself the same question:
What can I remove while keeping what truly matters?

Falling in Love with Programming

I've always enjoyed making things.
Origami, architecture, anything that involves creating something from nothing excites me.

While studying architecture in Japan, I was introduced to programming through small assignments and personal curiosity.
At first it was simply another tool. Something useful to learn.
But the more I explored it, the more I realised programming had something architecture couldn't offer me.
You can spend a few weeks refining an idea, and once it's ready, publish it for anyone in the world to experience.

Programming wasn't just about solving problems. It became another creative outlet.

Why I Like Design Engineering

The more experience I gained, the more I realised I wasn't interested in choosing between design and engineering.

I wanted both.

Design engineering sits at the perfect intersection of art and science.
A beautiful interface means very little if it's slow or difficult to maintain.
Likewise, perfectly engineered software loses much of its impact if people don't enjoy using it.
The best digital experience is where thoughtful design and solid engineering work together.

Life Outside the Screen

Back in Japan, my family has a Papillon.
He's turning sixteen this year, but still has the energy.
Living overseas means I don't get to see him often, and I definitely miss him a lot.

I also enjoy playing basketball and tennis, mostly just for fun with friends.
And whenever I have some spare time, you'll find me playing chess.
I'm currently hovering around 1500 rating on Chess.com.

Lessons I've Learned So Far

If there's one mindset that's stayed with me over the years, it's this:

Live for the challenge.

Life isn't fair.
It's easy to compare yourself to people who seem more talented, more successful, or simply luckier.

But those thoughts don't change reality.
The only thing we really control is what we choose to do with what we already have.
I've learned that I'd rather pursue something difficult and risk failing than spend years wondering what could have happened if I'd simply tried.

Dream big.
Don't compromise.
Maybe you'll fail.
But at least you'll know you gave it everything you had.

What's Next

Right now, my focus is finishing my degree and graduating in December 2026.
And simply keep improving.
I'm always looking for opportunities to work with people who care about thoughtful design and solid engineering.
This blog will grow alongside that journey.
Thanks for reading. I hope you'll stick around.