Academic Projects
East China Normal University, Shanghai (2024–2025)
As part of a mobility program, I enrolled at East China Normal University (ECNU) in Shanghai, where I spent one academic year studying abroad. This experience meant adapting not only to life in a new country and culture, but also to a different university system and teaching methodologies very different from those I was used to, with many classes taught in Chinese and supported partly in English.
During this year, I worked on projects ranging from collaborative design with Haier, to Landscape Design case studies, Starbucks merchandising design, and a photography research project. Each course challenged me to expand my skills and think in new ways.
In the course Introduction to Intelligent Hardware and Basic Programming, I developed a prototype to open my dorm room door using only an ultrasonic sensor and Arduino. The idea was simple: wave a hand in front of the sensor, and the door handle would automatically push down and then return to its original position.
The process required me to code the logic in Arduino and calibrate the hardware. One of the main challenges was timing and torque, finding the exact balance of force needed to press the handle while ensuring the mechanism returned precisely to its resting position. After many iterations, I succeeded in creating a functional proof-of-concept that combined sensors, coding, and mechanical precision.
This project gave me hands-on experience in prototyping, troubleshooting, and working at the intersection of design and technology, while also teaching me patience and resilience in problem-solving.
During my exchange year at East China Normal University, I took part in a Studio Practice course in collaboration with Haier, one of the world’s leading home appliance brands. The challenge was to design an appliance concept centered on the themes of air, oxygen, plants, and algae, rethinking how technology can be integrated into interior spaces with a more natural and sustainable presence.
I developed the project from concept sketches to 3D models in Blender, and eventually into a scaled physical prototype. The process required careful attention to both aesthetic direction and technical feasibility, as well as consideration of sustainability and user integration.
This project was one of the most significant of my exchange, as it simulated the dynamics of an industry collaboration, combining creativity, innovation, and environmental awareness. It strengthened my ability to work on complex product development while keeping the focus on design methodology and practical outcomes.
Beyond academics, living in Shanghai was transformative. It strengthened my adaptability, independence, and ability to navigate cultural diversity — qualities that continue to shape how I design and approach challenges today.
IADE, Creative University (2022–2025)
From 2022 to 2025, I studied at IADE, Creative University, where I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Design. The program was designed to provide a strong foundation in design while promoting a broad set of creative and technical skills.
Through a comprehensive curriculum, I gained experience across the main fields of design, including Visual Design, Product Design, Multimedia, and Interaction Design. This wide exposure allowed me to explore different directions and ultimately sharpen my interest in digital product design and user experience.
Studying at IADE gave me a solid academic and creative base, reinforcing my design methodology, adaptability, and ability to approach multidisciplinary challenges, which I later expanded during my exchange program in Shanghai.
In the 2D Laboratory course, each student was assigned a musical genre as the foundation for developing a concept for a fictional music event. The challenge was to create a complete graphic identity, including posters, key visuals, flyers, and potential event locations, ensuring a consistent and engaging visual system.
For this project I relied heavily on 3D elements integrated with 2D graphics, experimenting with composition and atmosphere to capture the essence of the assigned genre. The experience strengthened my skills in visual direction, graphic consistency, and combining different digital tools into a unified design outcome.
ESAD, College of Arts and Design (2021–2022)
In 2021, I enrolled at ESAD, College of Arts and Design, in the Sound and Image degree. This program was deeply rooted in film, audiovisual production, and artistic experimentation, and it gave me the chance to immerse myself in a more creative and conceptual environment.
As part of a project exploring Adobe Illustrator and digital drawing techniques, we were asked to select a real object and recreate it as closely as possible using only vector shapes with minimal effects.
I chose a Leica camera, focusing on precision, detail, and layering to replicate its form and textures. The exercise strengthened my skills in vector illustration, patience, and visual accuracy, pushing me to work with restraint while still trying to achieve realism.
This was a free project where we were invited to create an original video piece. I drew inspiration from the aesthetic and narrative approach of Patrick Keiller’s film London, particularly the way it layers sound and image to create subtle, sometimes ambiguous connections.
Building on that idea, I developed a video where forms captured in photographs gradually transform into letters, eventually spelling the word PHOTO. I worked on every stage of the process, taking photos, editing the video, and applying effects, while experimenting with how rhythm, sound, and visuals can interact to suggest meaning beyond the obvious.
The year was largely centered around the development of creative and artistic skills, expanding not only technical knowledge but also how to think and approach projects with an experimental and expressive mentality. I successfully completed all my classes and was highly engaged in the program, but eventually decided to redirect my academic path toward areas that aligned more directly with my future career goals.
Even though I chose to leave the degree after the first year, the experience left a lasting mark on me. I absorbed skills, techniques, and perspectives that I continue to apply today, from visual storytelling and editing to a broader artistic sensitivity that still informs my design practice.
EPI · Escola Profissional de Imagem, Lisboa (2018–2021)
In 2018, I enrolled at EPI – Escola Profissional de Imagem in Lisbon, where I pursued a professional degree in Graphic Design and Visual Communication. It was here that I built the foundation of my design education, learning both the theoretical and practical aspects of visual communication.
The program covered a broad range of disciplines, including design theory, editorial design, typography, branding, drawing and illustration, infographics, advertising and marketing, web design, graphic animation, photography, photo editing, print production, and 3D graphics. These classes gave me a strong and versatile base across traditional and digital design fields.
Alongside the coursework, I developed a series of projects that helped me explore different creative directions and begin shaping my identity as a designer.
As part of my coursework at EPI, I collaborated on “Paw”, a group project that combined digital illustration, branding, and applied design. We created a series of animal-themed graphics that were printed on t-shirts and tote bags in collaboration with a Lisbon based printing company, supported by posters and visual communication materials.
The project culminated in a pop-up booth set up within the school, where we showcased and sold our work directly to visitors. The initiative raised a few hundred dollars, which we later donated to the Portuguese League for Animal Rights (LPDA).
This project was a key moment in learning how to connect design with social impact, while also experiencing teamwork, production, and the practical side of putting design out into the world.
Some of the following images come from other projects I developed during my time at EPI:
This project focused on designing a series of posters for topic-specific discussion events (tertúlias). Highlighting important personalities for each one of the themes.
The challenge was to create a consistent visual identity across the series while still allowing each poster to carry its own individual voice.
As part of a class project focused on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, each student chose one of the global challenges to represent. I worked on Goal 2: Zero Hunger, developing a t-shirt design and a concept poster to raise awareness for the need for collective action and raise money for food donations.
I completed my studies at EPI with a 17/20 grade on my Professional Aptitude Final Project, where I focused on UI/UX design, signaling the path I wanted to pursue in digital product design.
In addition, I earned a 18/20 grade on my Independent Professional Internship, a school-required placement where students must secure and complete an internship with a company on their own. This experience placed me directly in a real work environment, where my performance was evaluated by the employer and credited back to the school. It gave me my first taste of professional practice and reinforced my ability to apply design skills independently and responsibly.