Hey, I’m Ansel
Blending art, engineering, & culture:
I design for people.
About Me:
I come from a blended background, in fields of focus, linguistically, and culturally. Growing up in a family of both scientists and musicians; English, German, French, and Japanese speakers; in the US and Canada; I learned to master translation of thought processes.I’m located in the Bay Area - on any given day you can catch me hiking, tinkering on vintage cars, or playing music with friends.
Design Philosophy:
A main pillar of my design philosophy is that design should bring quality and joy to people’s everyday lives.I aim to evoke Gemütlichkeit, a deep emotional satisfaction born from a personal connection with the things we use. My design process is about finding the balance between form and function, psychology and culture, sensibility and longevity. I strive to create products that are not only well-built and durable, but also sustainable, allowing people to form lasting relationships with them.
With years of experience in saddle stitching leather goods and repairing everything from furniture to classic cars - I’ve developed a keen eye for detail, precision, and materiality. Whether it’s a handcrafted leather bag or a finely tuned mechanical watch; I seek perfection in the fit, finish, and tactile experience.
I’m currently open to work, let’s make something incredible together.
Resume Upon Request
Everything displayed on this site was sketched, designed, modeled, rendered, and put together by Ansel Iisaka unless otherwise stated. This excludes reference images and other conceptual brand partnerships.
©Ansel Iisaka 2026