Hana Yoshimura Grasse

Rooted in empathy and care, my major project applies a design management lens to explore how emerging filmmakers are navigating the uncertainties of a rapidly evolving industry shaped by AI. Drawing from principles of human-centered design, I frame uncertainty not as a threat but as an opportunity to connect, reflect, and co-create new modes of collaboration.

At the core of this project is a belief that film is not just a product, but a cultural system and one that’s emotional, collaborative, and deeply intertwined with identity, memory, and community. As such, I see the role of design management not simply as a method for problem-solving, but as a strategic and ethical practice for safeguarding creative ecosystems in flux. Rather than offering a fixed solution, my approach embraces iterative exploration, shaped by dialogue with real stakeholders of emerging filmmakers, curators, and audiences. I’ve intentionally crafted this project as a space to ask difficult questions, map power dynamics, and imagine alternative futures for film rooted in shared values.

Ultimately, I believe that the future of the film industry will be decided not just by tools, but by the ways we choose to organize, support, and care for one another. In this moment of disruption, my practice in design management becomes a way of holding space for risk, for vision, and for responsible transformation.