About Kayo MIKI & Lolly 🐾
Born in Taipei and raised in Japan, I am a food writer, sensory marketer, and cultural curator who helps brands discover profound insights about their audiences through the lens of sensory experience. Growing up with visual impairment, what others might see as ‘blind spots’ became my unique source of curiosity and understanding—transforming perceived limitations into powerful design thinking tools.
In the twenty-seven years since my childhood, the experience of visual impairment has not been a hindrance to my growth. Instead, it has served as a transformative power, enabling me to turn the challenges of my environment into opportunities.
MIT research demonstrates that approximately 50% of the human brain is dedicated to visual processing. However, emerging studies show that up to 70% of sensory information processed throughout adulthood flows through visual channels, while the remaining 30%—encompassing sound, smell, touch, and taste—creates the most memorable and emotionally resonant brand experiences. My visual impairment has naturally developed these non-visual sensory pathways, enabling me to design multi-sensory experiences that most overlook. Research on sensory processing sensitivity shows that 15-20% of the population possesses heightened sensitivity to environmental stimuli—a trait that, when channeled strategically, becomes a powerful design thinking advantage. This isn’t about compensation; it’s about accessing the full spectrum of human perception that traditional marketing often ignores.
Sensory Change
Fusing Guiguzi’s strategic wisdom—Guiguzi, the Warring States–era strategist renowned for his teachings on persuasion and diplomacy—with Western experimental design, I map the five senses—from visual code reconstruction to scent-triggered memory—to architect fully immersive brand journeys. Grounded in cultural fieldwork and sensory prototyping, my strategies empower resource-constrained teams to spark extraordinary impact from a blank canvas.
“She spares no detail in VIP experiences, giving every moment powerful impact.”
—Jonson Hsieh, former Executive Creative Director at Publicis, who witnessed my composure and success pitching to top global brands.
From broadcast media to Grammy-level performing-arts marketing, then into tech-ESG sustainability and international healthcare, I position myself as a strategic helmswoman for corporate growth with a ‘redistribute wealth’ mission. As Jonson observes: “She understands human nature and ignites leaders’ influence, using culture to do business and balancing profit with purpose.”
Cross-Sensory Methodology
Like my life partner Lolly—a corgi whose propeller-tail enthusiasm and bird-chasing dreams embody the “impossible made possible”—this platform demonstrates how perceived limitations become unique advantages. We don’t just survive; we soar.
This methodology forms the foundation of my portfolio, showcasing how sensory-driven design thinking can transform challenges into opportunities, creating brands that resonate across cultures and capabilities.