Aaron Komae
About Aaron Komae
Aaron Komae serves as the Design Director at Popcornopolis, where he has worked since 2012, overseeing product development and managing junior designers. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Art Center College of Design and has extensive experience in graphic design and scenic design across various organizations.
Work at Popcornopolis
Aaron Komae has served as the Design Director at Popcornopolis since 2012. In this role, he is involved in product development and oversees quarterly catalog photo shoots. Komae is responsible for training and managing junior designers, ensuring that the design team meets the company's standards. He generates graphic assets and marketing collateral for various departments, including Wholesale, Fundraising, retail stores, stadiums, arenas, trade shows, e-commerce, and corporate gift programs. Additionally, he oversees quality assurance and food compliance standards in packaging.
Education and Expertise
Aaron Komae studied at the Art Center College of Design, where he achieved a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design with Honors from 2008 to 2011. He also attended The Evergreen State College, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Arts from 1999 to 2001. His educational background has provided him with a strong foundation in design principles and practices, which he applies in his current role and previous positions.
Background in Graphic Design
Before his tenure at Popcornopolis, Aaron Komae worked as a Freelance Graphic Designer at ArtCenter College of Design from 2011 to 2013. He also held freelance positions at Myriad Marketing and Matli Group between 2011 and 2012. His early career included a role as Scenic Design Coordinator at The Evergreen State College from 1999 to 2001. These experiences contributed to his development as a designer and prepared him for leadership roles in the industry.
Entrepreneurial Ventures
In addition to his work at Popcornopolis, Aaron Komae is the Founder and Creative Director of Komae Design, a position he has held since 2011. This venture allows him to apply his design expertise while managing projects in the Greater Los Angeles Area. His experience in both corporate and freelance environments has equipped him with a diverse skill set in design and project management.
Previous Experience in Retail Management
Aaron Komae worked as a Store Manager at Williams-Sonoma, Inc. from 2001 to 2008 in Manhattan Beach, CA. This role provided him with valuable experience in retail operations and customer service, which complements his design career. His background in retail management has likely influenced his approach to marketing and product presentation in his current roles.