[ Remote Interview #2 ] To strengthen the hiring of designers, a veteran designer was put in charge of recruitment.
※This article is machine translated.
Hello, this is Arawo from cocone ONE Public Relations. Hello, this is Arao.
For the second installment of our remote interview, we spoke remotely with Mr. Nakazawa, who was originally a designer for many years and has supported Cocone from there as a recruiter.
Arawo. She has been with Cocone for a long time, and it is no exaggeration to say that she knows everything about Cocone.
*For adult reasons, some photos will be sent as composites.
Arawo.
Hello! Nice to meet you today!
Nakazawa
Yes, thank you.
Arawo.
Mr. Nakazawa, you originally worked for a major video game company, and then changed jobs.
At that time, I think Cocone had few internal facilities and systems as well as the services you provided. Can you tell us how and why you joined Cocone?
Nakazawa
After working in the game industry for almost 10 years, we have changed to an era where we can enjoy a variety of content not only in consumer and arcade games, but also on the Internet.
I wanted to try something new while utilizing my skills, and I was intrigued by Cocone, which offered a free web-based language service, and I was eager to work there! I was intrigued by Cocone, which offered a free web-based language service.
Arawo.
Cocone’s first service was “Cocone,” a language service through avatars, wasn’t it?
It is no exaggeration to say that you have been involved in most of our services from the very beginning.
Nakazawa
Yes, that’s right.
I first joined the company to design avatars for “Cocone,” a web-based language learning site.
Later, I was transferred to the application production team, where I worked on formulating the specifications for “Pokecolo” and creating item designs and announcement images.
After “Pokecolo” got off the ground, I experienced the launch of several new business applications, and five years ago I was transferred to the Human Resources Department as a recruiter in order to strengthen the hiring of designers.
Currently, I am in charge of both new graduates and mid-career hiring.
Arawo.
You really did a lot of things, didn’t you?
In my mind, Mr. Nakazawa is still a “designer”. lol
That’s why I was surprised to see you transferred to the recruiting department!
Nakazawa
I think Cocone is unique in that we have by far the largest number of designers.
The designs we produce are almost entirely in-house, and we have members who want to take responsibility for delivering designs to our own clients.
In order to further promote Cocone’s designs around the world in the future, we need more designers, so we have decided to step up our hiring efforts.
When I heard about this, I became a recruiter, hoping to find a designer to join this Cocone team.
Cocone’s designers will be in charge of hiring Cocone’s designers.
Simple reason.
The good thing about Cocone is that we can take on new challenges that transcend job categories!
Arawo.
I personally felt very sad when Mr. Nakazawa was transferred from designer to hiring manager.
But I really felt comfortable with the phrase ” to strengthen the recruitment of designers.”
I felt that this position was only possible because Mr. Nakazawa has progressed in his career as a designer at Cocone for many years.
What kind of people would you like to welcome to Cocone in the future?
Nakazawa
Cocone has created a digital world of sensibility for more than 10 years and offered it to many customers.
We would like to continue to grow this digital world even further and would like more and more people to live in this world.
I would be happy if you are someone who does not just want to make cute things, but who wants to create while asking the essential question of why cute design is necessary and grow not only your own division but the company as a whole.
Also, Cocone’s designers are always looking for new things for our customers, so I think we will suffer unless we are customer oriented and able to keep up with the trends.
You need to be flexible and have the ability to think outside the box, and since you will be discussing and creating things with everyone, it may be tough if you don’t like to communicate.
Arawo.
Are there any particular aspects of the post-employment environment that you appreciate from a designer’s point of view?
Nakazawa
You can work on a hybrid basis, remote and in the office.
Even when working remotely, we want to provide the same environment as at the office, so we will deliver anything you need to your home. Monitors, mice, headsets, tablets, etc!
Our in-house concierge team will take care of you in a detailed and speedy manner.
Arawo.
I wonder if I will receive sweets as well…?
Nakazawa
It’s faster to buy that at a convenience store.
Arawo.
I know, right?
Nakazawa
Just don’t ever tell them, because it’s the hospitality of the concierge team that seems to really deliver when you ask. LOL!
Arawo.
(Let me tell you…)
Back to the topic, what kind of designers do you think there are in Cocone?
Nakazawa
It is a prerequisite that we think about our customers, but we all make use of our own strengths.
Designers who are good at catching trends are able to use their sensitivities to make customers happy with their designs, while those with a wealth of technical knowledge work with engineers to develop new functions, such as data weight reduction and specification formulation.
People who like communication and want to support others are active in management, and many of them have a good grasp of their own abilities and make the most of them for the benefit of others!
Arawo.
You also develop with engineers.
Is it an environment where you can easily communicate not only with other designers but also with people from various professions?
Nakazawa
Of course, there are many things that are related to work, but we also have a club system where people of all ages can enjoy their hobbies, regardless of their job title.
We also have an in-house bar, so when I go out for a drink by myself, I naturally strike up a conversation with the people there.
We also have a hobby channel on Slack, where we share our pet pride and art.
Also, on Slack, there is a channel where people can feel free to ask questions about the tools they use at work, and anyone can ask anything and someone will answer.
We are a company that doesn’t leave everyone’s problems alone, so communication is easy!
Arawo.
That kind of corporate culture, or atmosphere, has not changed.
Finally, what would you like to say to those who are thinking about changing jobs?
Nakazawa
There are many customers who love our services, and many members who work every day thinking about what they can do for our customers.
It’s great that they accept the designs we like and we get to work on them!
I am too happy to be able to make things for my customers while I grow as well.
If there is something you want to do, there is an environment that is rather challenging.
Let’s create a digital world together!
Aya Nakazawa
Recruiter
Joined Cocone Corporation in 2010
New graduate: Joined a major game company
As a graphic designer, worked on UI design for arcade games
Then moved to another game company and worked on 2D graphic design
Joined Cocone Corporation as a designer in 2010
