Hello! I'm Hugh Sato, a principal designer and front-end developer uniquely adept at bridging the gap between strategy and execution.
I am thankful to have very diverse experience across industries such as AI/ML, healthcare, education, non-profits, arts, and e-commerce. This breadth of experience has shaped a versatile and adaptable approach to my work. I am a Principal Designer at 8th Light, an international software consultancy.
As a leader, I steer design strategy for teams, balancing user-centered and feasible solutions. This approach has enhanced teams' product mindset and transformed organizations from startups to Fortune 100 companies. My strength lies in distilling complex problems into simple, elegant solutions that are both user-centered and technically and organizationally feasible.
Expertise
- Product Thinking
- UX Design
- Systems & Service Design
- Information Architecture
- Front-end Development (React, Vue, Typescript)
- Component and Design Systems
- Accessibility & ADA Compliance
- Data Privacy & Ethics
- Exhibit Design
How I think
A few things that inform my approach to design.
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People first
Unite teams in a shared vision that prioritizes the people who use your products. Build psychologically safe teams that can iterate on that vision together. -
Break the bubble
Build support systems to generate regular feedback to prevent stagnation and boredom. Incorporate diverse perspectives in the design process from the beginning. -
Reduce cognitive load
Real-world problems are complex, multi-faceted, and interconnected in unexpected ways. Design simple, intuitive solutions and reduce cognitive load through thoughtful information architecture and building a ubiquitous language. -
Derisk through iteration
Ship small, frequently, and refine based on feedback to drive continuous improvement. Sometimes, you need to take a leap of faith, but you can almost always derisk through design.
Project Highlights
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ML Experimentation Platform
I lead UX design strategy and front-end development for a machine learning experimentation platform at a Fortune 100 company. The platform enables data scientists to build, train, and deploy experiments in a controlled environment.
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Genetic Testing - Patient Portal
I led the design and development of a patient portal for a genetic testing company. The portal allows patients to access their test results and communicate with their healthcare providers.
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Auction Website
I designed and developed both websites and internal software for a prominent online auction company. The software enables visitors to browse and bid on items in upcoming auctions, and auctioneers to build and manage auctions.
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Marketplace for Pharmacies
I designed and developed a B2B marketplace software for smaller pharmacies to supply their medicines. The software allows pharmacies to browse and purchase pharmaceuticals from a network of suppliers.
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Greenfield Non-profit Organization
I partnered with a new non-profit group to lead and drive design strategy to create an MVP for a new platform that connects illinois non-profits to funders. The platform arose out of equity impalances and needs identified during the COVID-19 pandemic.