Interview with the designer…
We have some new and as well as familiar faces here at Standard Beagle. And it’s the unique qualities of each of our team members that makes this a special place.
Each quarter, we’re introducing you to a team member so you can get to know them just a little better.
This month, meet Lauren Ashizawa.
What do you do (your role)?
I’m an illustrator and UX designer with Standard Beagle. I work on researching and understanding the user experience. If I’m not working on that, I’m creating custom graphics, designs, and illustrations, such as the ones on the Standard Beagle website.
How long have you been a designer?
I’ve been doing freelance illustration since 2012, which entails contract work for commissions and selling my work at various conventions. I completed a UI/UX bootcamp with the University of Texas in 2020, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised how much of my freelance illustrator skills overlap with designing with empathy.
Why Standard Beagle?
Standard Beagle first asked me to do custom illustrations for their rebrand. When they asked if I wanted to do some UI/UX work I was thrilled to work with a close-knit team with a good sense of humor. And dogs.
The core values of Dig, Lead, Play speak to the way I want to design, and I hope to challenge myself to find and solve users’ issues while having fun.
What do you like about your work?
I love being able to apply my background as an illustrator. I’m not only applying my skills and knowledge on visuals to create a smoother experience, but I also get to connect to users and bridge what they want to what a product can offer them. A lot of my previous work was being open and curious to what the client’s vision was, and knowing how to work with a person when they were unsure.
What do you do for fun?
I still like attending conventions as an artist- I get to draw and create merchandise, travel, talk with others about things we like, and hang out with friends in the area. I also enjoy playing video games and watching horror movies.
What did you do before Standard Beagle?
When not working a day job I sold my illustrations as prints, comics, and other goods at various anime and comic conventions around North America.
Generations of my family owned a hardware store in San Francisco, so I grew up in a retail environment. Helping folks from the neighborhood regular looking for right kind of lightbulb (“a bright light but not a BRIGHT bright light,” “not the blue light”), to the tourist who’s in the market for a Japanese kitchen knife, informed a lot of the way I try and get to the bottom of a problem and come up with solutions.
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. I grew up in both Oakland and a town called Piedmont, and spent a lot of time in San Francisco.
What’s your favorite food?
I grew up eating my Hawaiian grandmother’s cooking, so yes I love spam and rice and no, I’m not taking any opinions about it.
What’s your favorite band?
I can’t put my finger on one band, but my go-to’s are usually Tame Impala, Chelsea Wolfe, or Florence and the Machine. I’m currently getting into Yves Tumor.
One thing you would like to share we don’t know about you?
My dog’s name is Yenna, after the character Yennefer from The Witcher series. My dog’s full name is Yennefur. She’s not as elegant as her fictional counterpart, but she does enjoy bossing my roommates’ cats around.
Learn more about Lauren in her biography.
