Who is Naomi?

I’m a Product Designer and all-around problem solver who loves blending design, research, and tech to bring ideas to life—always with users at the heart of everything I do.

Think of me as the Swiss Army knife of product teams—I’m always ready to pull out the right tool for the job!

What kind of tool am I talking about?

Surveys (& Interviews)

(Qualtrics)

Designing and distributing surveys to gather user feedback and behavioral data.

Example

Data Analysis + Visualization

(Python & MATLAB)

Processing and visualizing data to uncover insights and inform design decisions.

Example

Low-Fidelity Wireframing

(Figma + Figjam)

Creating simple, basic layouts to map out structure and functionality without focusing on visual design details.

Example

Creating Design Libraries

Building reusable UI components and style guidelines to maintain visual consistency.

Responsive Design

Designing responsive interfaces with well-structured information architecture for seamless use across devices.

Example

Hi-fidelity Prototyping

(Figma & Protopie)

Creating detailed, interactive designs that closely resemble the final product for testing and presentation.

Example

Usability Testing

Evaluating how easy it is for users to navigate & interact with a product prototype.

example

Agile Sprints

Delivering incremental product improvements through short, focused development cycles with continuous feedback.

Example

 

How I Approach Design

I design with both empathy and logic.

  • Empathy → designing from the perspective of clients and users—their needs, struggles, and aspirations.
  • Logic → thinking like a developer. I always keep technical feasibility in mind.

Design Process

Stanford’s Design School has previously created framework that I usually follow:

Empathize → Define → Ideate → Prototype → Test (and repeat!)

Here’s how I make it my own:

  1. Start with people. I dig into user needs, stakeholder goals, and the product ecosystem.

  2. Data shapes direction. Insights from market research and user feedback guide design decisions.

  3. Bring ideas to life (my favorite part!). From lo-fi sketches to polished prototypes

  4. Test and refine. I validate with users to make sure we’re solving real problems.

  5. and Repeat~

What Makes Me Credible?

I don’t believe education is the only path to great design, but it gave me the foundation to think critically, solve problems, and collaborate. 

WASEDA UNIVERSITY | 2023-2025
Master of Engineering, Intermedia Engineering
  • Research in ethical UX and Human-Centered Design.
  • JEES/JX Petroleum Exploration Indonesia Scholarship awardee.
  • Obtained MicroMBA certification from UCSD x Waseda in Winter 2024, as a result of learning MBA-level courses as an engineering student.
Waseda University logo
Tokyo International University logo
TOKYO INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY | 2020-2023
Bachelor of Science, Digital Business
  • Completed 4 years bachelor’s program in 3 years.
  • Honored with the JASSO scholarship and a tuition fee waiver for academic achievements.

Publications

Conference Proceedings

  • Panjaitan, N. V., & Watanabe, K. (2024). Deceptive patterns in Japan’s digital landscape: Insights from user experience. Communications in Computer and Information Science, 2119, 99-108. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-61966-3_12

Presentations

  • “Deceptive Patterns in Japan’s Digital Landscape: Insights from User Experience”, Naomi Panjaitan & Katsumi Watanabe, July 1st-4th 2024 in HCI International 2024, Washington Hilton Hotel, Washington DC, USA. DOWNLOAD PAPER

  • “Gray Areas between Persuasion and Manipulation in UX Design: An Exploratory Study in Japan”, Naomi Panjaitan & Katsumi Watanabe, July 31st – Aug 2nd 2024 in IEEE ICCE 2024 , Bay Capital Da Nang, Da Nang, Vietnam. DOWNLOAD PAPER

Conference Proceedings

  • Meita, R., Rumengan, I., Narasiang, B., Fajar, M., & Panjaitan, N. V. (2023). The development of appropriate technology prototypes for the food dryer powered by solar photovoltaic. Advances in Intelligent Applications and Innovative Approach. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0129812
  • Rumbayan, M., Rumbayan, R., Pasiowan, C., Elkana, S., & Panjaitan, N. V. (2022). Comparative study of micro hydro model systems for powering the sub-village of Tulaun Lalumpe Minahasa of North Sulawesi province, Indonesia. Proceedings of International Exchange and Innovation Conference on Engineering & Sciences (IEICES), 8, 155-160. https://doi.org/10.5109/5909085

 

Journal Articles

  • Rumbayan, M., Sompie, S. R., Ruindungan, D. G., & Panjaitan, N. V. (2021). Design of a photovoltaics stand-alone system for a residential load in Bunaken island using HOMER. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 927(1), 012039. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/927/1/012039
  • Rumbayan, M., Sompie, S. R., Ruindungan, D. G., & Panjaitan, N. V. (2021). Model of solar energy utilization in Bunaken island communities. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 739. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/739/1/012082
  • Rumbayan, M., Pundoko, I., Ruindungan, D., & Panjaitan, N. V. (2022). Development of internet of things-based monitoring system for application solar energy technology in Bunaken island. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1041(1), 012023. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1041/1/012023
  • Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design
  • Google Project Management: Professional Certificate
  • Google IT Support

Who is Naomi, Really?

I’m a Tokyo-based Master’s student in Engineering at Waseda University.

I research ethical UX and explore how psychological biases influence the way people interact with technology.

Why Design?

I stumbled into design about 5 years ago at the beginning of my undergraduate studies—and it stuck. I love crafting experiences that work well and look good, too.

Other than Design?

When I’m not designing or researching, I’m usually wandering Tokyo with my Kindle and digital camera—people-watching and soaking up the little details of daily life.

Travel is another passion of mine. Wherever I go, zoos and aquariums are always on my itinerary.

If you made it this far—I really apreciate it!
Now, back to business 😄. If you’d like to connect:
📩 naomivup(at)gmail(dot)com
🔗 Or visit my LinkedIn page.

Recent Pictures

Favorite Books