Hi, I'm Rion Nakaya. I love storytelling, sustainable tech, well-designed spaces, volunteering in libraries, and wandering the halls of small museums and science centers.
In 2011, I created a curated video collection called The Kid Should See This, an all-ages educational resource for curiosity and conversation-starters. TKSST connects with parents, teachers, and lifelong learners via a weekly newsletter, social media, and a curated gift guide. The two-time Webby Award-winning site is also a curation partner for Common Sense Media’s WideOpenSchool.org.
An Art Center College of Design graduate currently based in Los Angeles, I've lived in Oakland, London, Paris, DC, and NYC. For more information about my projects, to get in touch regarding employment opportunities, or to say hello, email me.
DIY.org, Video Producer
Partnered with content creators to write, shoot, and edit educational video courses that inspire kids ages 7-16 to become fearless learners and creators. Helped launch the JAM.com site and app with our team at DIY.org, a safe and smart online community for kids.
Responsibilities: Establish brand and editorial strategy for videos, write scripts and curriculum, foster content creators, hire video teams, direct and manage shoots, edit videos, expand social media outreach, and work directly with kids and parents to support, test, and improve our curriculum and user experiences.
20x200, Design Director
Led visual and UX design to create a consistent and engaging art-buying experience. Worked from Oakland with our NYC-based team to redesign 20x200.com, with focus on the workflow needs of curation, editorial, technology, marketing, and customer service teams.
Launched a mobile version of the site, designed to streamline purchasing on-the-go. Designed weekly (and sometimes daily) marketing across all customer touch points. Directed print and packaging design efforts.
VSA Partners, Design Director
Working with brand strategists, led web and print teams on corporate communications pieces, storytelling vehicles, intranets, annual reports, and documentary projects. Roles included: Visual and UX design, video production, design direction, and working with clients to define and achieve project goals.
Long-standing partnerships with American Express, Time Warner, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Goldman Sachs, and Memorial Sloan-Kettering.
MPR's Brains On! Podcast, Kids' Media Curator
Curation of a weekly, kid-friendly podcast playlist that explores the kid-casting landscape—science, technology, nature, music, arts, history, books, culture, social and emotional development, and more. Handpicked and written for Brains On! podcast audiences, ages 5-12, yet engaging for all ages.
The Kid Should See This, Founder + Editor
The Kid Should See This was created for teachers and parents who want to share smart, meaningful media in the classroom and at home. (Selections are grown-up-friendly, too.)
TKSST champions STEAM, history, and culture-focused content by museums, organizations, and creators who celebrate curiosity, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, kindness, and other essential themes for all ages.
The video collection has enjoyed mentions in Boing Boing, Britannica for Parents, Cool Mom Tech, Edutopia, GeekDad, Mashable, Makezine, The Next Web, School Library Journal, The Wall Street Journal, Wired, and Wisconsin Public Radio.
Freelance Designer
Information design for Meetup. Design direction of websites and app concepts for Social Print Studio and Culture Connect.
