3-Part Seminar Series on UX Designers and UX Researchers Launching June 25 (Thu)! Deep Dive into Job Roles, On-Site Challenges, and Desired Qualities!

CreeK & River Co. (C&R) is pleased to announce a 3-part online seminar series on UX design and UX research. The first session, titled 'What Do UX Designers and UX Researchers Actually Do? — The Realities and Big Picture of the Job,' will be held on Thursday, June 25, 2026. The second session, 'UX Design and UX Research: 20 Real On-Site Challenges and How to Overcome Them — What Happens in Practice and How to Move Forward,' will take place on Thursday, July 23, 2026. The third session, 'UX Designers and UX Researchers: Understanding Users Isn't Enough Anymore — The Roles, Skills, and Career Mindset That Are in Demand,' is scheduled for Thursday, August 27, 2026. UX design and UX research have become more widespread, and information about their methodologies is now easily accessible online. However, for those aspiring to enter the field, authentic, real-world insights into the roles of UX designers and UX researchers may still be surprisingly scarce. For this seminar series, C&R has invited Yoshiki Hayama, a UX designer with 25 years of industry experience, as the speaker. In the first session, Hayama will introduce what a typical day looks like for professionals in UX design and research roles. The second session will address common on-site challenges and how to overcome them. In the third session, Hayama will discuss the latest market trends, the qualities employers seek, the skills required to become a UX designer or researcher, and how to build a successful career. Those interested are encouraged to register and attend. • What triggers the need for UX designers and UX researchers in the first place? • How does a project flow from start to finish? • How do UX roles differ between in-house companies and external agencies? • 'User research' is just a midpoint in the process. The true goal is 'changing the team.' • How should one act in organizations where UX practices struggle to take root? • How can one effectively improve their skills? • The team unconsciously fears meeting users and confronting their own mistakes. • The team feels demoralized because they don't believe in the product they're building. • Engineers avoid thinking about aspects that can't be measured numerically. • Project managers treat non-functional requirements as optional extras. • After poor usability test results, someone says, 'That user wasn't our target.' • Being able to conduct user research is now a basic expectation for UX candidates. • UX designers and researchers cannot deliver value to users alone. • 'User research' is just a midpoint. The real goal is 'changing the team.' • During hiring, employers evaluate not deliverables, but the reasoning behind decisions made in past projects. • Candidates are assessed on how they handle difficult communication situations. Seminar Overview: UX Designer and UX Researcher Series ■ Dates and Times Session 1: Thursday, June 25, 2026, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Session 2: Thursday, July 23, 2026, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Session 3: Thursday, August 27, 2026, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM ■ Location Online event ■ Speaker Profile Yoshiki Hayama, CEO and Representative Director, Japan Web Design Co., Ltd. HCD-Net Certified Human-Centered Design Expert. Specialist in creating user-friendly products. Websites he has led have ranked among the top in Japan in usability rankings by industry magazines. Since 2016, he has been responsible for UX design of AI systems. His expertise includes user experience, information architecture, and accessibility. He is also a writer, board member of the NPO Human-Centered Design Promotion Organization (HCD-Net), and an IBM Champion, an external ambassador recognition by IBM. Translations include 'Mental Models: UX Design Strategies Born from Empathy with Users' and 'Mobile Frontier: Design Guide for Creating Better Mobile UX' (both published by Maruzen Publishing). Author of 'Practical Watson Development: AI Development Methods Using Watson API and Watson Studio' (Shoeisha). X: @storywriter Website: http://storywriter.jp ■ Participation Fee Free ■ Capacity 60 participants per session ▼ Details and Registration for Session 1 https://www.creativevillage.ne.jp/category/crv_event/175674/ ※ Deadline: June 25, 2026, 9:00 PM ▼ Details and Registration for Session 2 https://www.creativevillage.ne.jp/category/crv_event/175679/ ※ Deadline: July 23, 2026, 9:00 PM ▼ Details and Registration for Session 3 https://www.creativevillage.ne.jp/category/crv_event/175696/ ※ Deadline: August 27, 2026, 9:00 PM 【Inquiries】 PEC Office, CreeK & River Co., Ltd. UX Designer and UX Researcher Seminar Coordinator Email: pec_seminar@pr.cri.co.jp Since its founding in 1990, C&R has been a pioneer in creative agencies, supporting creators' career and skill development through joint company presentations, career counseling, and seminars. Going forward, under our mission of 'Enhancing the Lifelong Value of Professionals,' we will continue to create environments where creators can fully utilize their abilities through various initiatives. ▼ Design and Creative-Related Seminars https://www.creativevillage.ne.jp/category/crv_event_category/crv_event_creative-design/ ▼ CREATIVE VILLAGE – Information Site for Creators https://www.creativevillage.ne.jp/ ▼ Download the CREATIVE VILLAGE App iOS: https://apple.co/3qLDNbT Android: https://bit.ly/3dkO2AS 【About CreeK & River Co., Ltd.】 CreeK & River Co., Ltd. was established in 1990 with the mission of 'Enhancing the Lifelong Value of Professionals' and 'Contributing to Clients' Value Creation.' The company operates agency services (dispatch and placement), production services (development and contracting), and rights management (planning, development, and distribution of intellectual property) specializing in professionals across video, gaming, web, advertising and publishing, authors, performing arts, architecture, AI/DX, and athlete fields. As the C&R Group, it also operates in healthcare, IT, and accounting sectors.