Kosuke Kato
Born in Tokyo • Early Childhood in Honancho
Born in Tokyo, Japan. Spent early childhood in Honancho, Suginami Ward until primary school.
Relocation to Higashi-Totsuka, Yokohama
Moved to Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. Spent substantial formative years in Higashi-Totsuka. Active in competitive swimming, student council leadership, and cram school with tape-wrapped bags.
Keio Futsubu Junior High • Basketball & Hachioji
Entered Keio Futsubu Junior High School. Immersed in basketball (shooting guard). Favorite subjects were Japanese and history. Independent research in 9th grade focused on "Roman Absolute Monarchy". Spent one year of junior high living with grandparents in Hachioji, Tokyo.
Keio Academy of New York • Rugby & MoMA Pop Art
Entered Keio Academy of New York. Spent formative adolescence in suburban Scarsdale and campus dormitories, diving into rugby from sophomore year (starting lineup on England tour). Absorbed pop art such as Keith Haring at MoMA and received graduation honors in sociology.
Keio SFC • Web Design Career Starts at d-plug inc.
Entered Keio University Faculty of Policy Management (SFC) and joined rugby club Baku-no-Kai. Invited by a senior peer to join SOHO design studio "d-plug inc.", launching hands-on professional practice in web design and client consultations during university years.
Founded Independent Studio "Experience Transporters"
Established independent practice under the studio name "Experience Transporters (ET)" at age 25. Starting with launch branding for Yokohama National University fluid-measurement spin-off "Flowtech Research Inc.", built owned media, logos, and print design for SMEs. Continued club rugby with Baku & Clover (CABS).
Shuto Rugby League PR Bureau • Chairman of NZ Ambassador's Cup
Appointed Web & PR Officer for the Shuto League, Tokyo's amateur club rugby association. Served as Shuto League Executive Committee Chair for the historic "New Zealand Ambassador's Cup" inter-league clash against the Santama League, overseeing web production, commemorative goods, and diplomatic liaison with the NZ Embassy and Inagi City.
In-House Development of Operations System "ET withwith"
Built "ET withwith" in CakePHP — a proprietary workflow management system recording every task log, estimate, invoice, and milestone for on-demand client transparency. Served as the operational backbone for project delivery across dozens of client accounts.
Launched Interview Media "ET Luv.Lab." • "Person as Media"
Founded and directed the interview publication "ET Luv.Lab." around "The era when individuals become media". Personally interviewed, photographed, wrote, and published in-depth dialogues with ~50 creators and professionals, alongside the companion artisan e-commerce store "wakka".
Incorporation of ET, Inc. • Reached 50 Clients Milestone
Achieved the initial milestone of 50 clients and incorporated into ET, Inc. (株式会社イーティー). Built collaborative systems enabling clients, partners, and the studio to sustainably pursue creative freedom, including joining the artist workshop initiative "Ichiji Gahaku".
Earthquake Preparedness Media "Yuredge" • Social Care Scholarship "Canayell"
Supported by NIED's J-SHIS seismic hazard station, founded and served as Editor-in-Chief of "Yuredge", a disaster preparedness media exploring Japan's earthquake vulnerability. Joined the executive committee of "Canayell" (by accredited NPO Bridge for Smile), a scholarship program supporting youth in social/foster care pursuing higher education. Led event photography, web, and video promotion for 5 years, continuing 10+ years of NPO fundraising and digital support ("Sudachi 18", "Coyell", "Setayell").
Studio Relocation to Hachioji • "Kosuke Kato Planning & Design" • 100 Clients
Dissolved ET, Inc. and relocated studio to Hachioji, Tokyo, founding "Kosuke Kato Planning & Design (Kosuke)". Reached the cumulative 100-client milestone in January 2020, partnering with listed enterprises, startups, NPOs, and local communities.
Resumption of Illustration Practice During COVID-19 Pandemic
Prompted by the global shift during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kosuke returned to the roots of manual craftsmanship by resuming his illustration and drawing practice. Refining hand skills alongside digital tools, this period laid the artistic groundwork for subsequent commercial visuals, graphic recording, and expressive design.
Hachioji OPA 6th Anniversary • Regional Co-Creation & Education DX
Created key anniversary illustrations for Hachioji OPA's 6th Anniversary. Designed the website for Yorii Town's social experimentation hub "Co-creation Local Project Center rutsubo", provided UI/UX design support for adult-education DX firm "Buildit Inc.", and launched brand "TOK" and designer mentorship "FLL (Freelance Long-life Lab.)".
20th Anniversary • Transition to "Definer" • Project Kamos Launch
Marked 20 years of independent practice, redefining professional identity as "Definer". Launched AI-era thinking OS "Project Kamos", participated in Google Home APIs Developer Challenge 2025, and illustrated the Hachioji OPA 7th Anniversary campaign.
Inaugural Monograph "Definer" • Evolution of Thinking OS
Published inaugural book "Definer: 20 Years of Craft, Observation and Systems". Leading next-generation craft and systems thinking between Hachioji and Higashi-Totsuka through the 48-app AI thinking toolkit "Kamos Suite" and Prototyping Workshop Kosuke.
