Chef Hiroo Nagahara opened Bao Hiroo in downtown L.A.’s Arts District. Born and raised in Tokyo, Japan, Chef Hiroo's passion for food started when his mother introduced him to the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo, where they would regularly stroll the aisles selecting their favorite seafood from various vendors. That experience started Hiroo on a journey to understand the rich nuances of different ingredients and how they work together to become something stronger than just the sum of their parts.

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I created the mascot, hand-drew the logo, built a font set, and even had a solo exhibit in the space. They turned my hand lettering into a neon sign, and both clients and restaurant staff loved the lighthearted and playful, bespoke and handmade feel. The process showed me how powerful service design can be.