M.A., Textiles, Merchandising, and Fashion Design with specialization in Material Culture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, United States, 2024 B.A., Design (Industrial and Graphic), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, 2021
Rafael is a multidisciplinary designer and photographer
interested in the intersection of industrial design, crafts,
technology, and fashion design. With a decade of photography
experience, he has collaborated with major brands such as Heinz,
Monster Energy, and Budweiser, achieving features in prominent
media outlets. For his M.A. project, he created a collection of
artistic handbags, delving into symbolic narratives and
expressing his identity as a queer man (learn
more).
B.A. Human-Centered Design, University of California Berkeley, 2024
Zahra is a user experience designer who uses the power of good
design to create digital products that nurture and strengthen
human connection. She uses human-centered design methods to
understand how people and teams interact with technology and
creates ways to make those interactions better. She has worked on
UX projects in a range of areas such as sustainability, health
and wellbeing, digital media, and inclusive design. Zahra grew up
in Davis biking to elementary and high school, and after four
years in the Bay Area, she returned to Davis where she now bikes
to grad school.
BFA, Graphic Design, California State University, Sacramento, 2022
With a background in traditional graphic design and web
development, Elieza brings a multidisciplinary approach to
anything she encounters. Her work is driven by deep personal
questions about the human condition and a commitment to improving
the mental, physical, and spiritual well-being for all. These
reflections have reshaped her understanding of both design and
life, leading her to explore how space can be thoughtfully
utilized to foster environments that harmonize between nature and
humans.
B.A., Product Design, Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais, Escola de Design, Brazil, 2022
Nathalia is an Industrial Designer with over three years of
experience working in a prototype lab in Brazil. She has an
extensive portfolio in physical product design in several areas,
such as design for children, for the elderly and a project on
temporary reduced mobility, which was exhibited at the 9th
Encuentro BID – Enseñanza y Diseño – Madrid, November 2021. Her
research focus and interest is in sustainable design, the role of
design in environmentally friendly development and how design can
support different aspects of society, such as children’s learning
process.
B.A (Hons.) Fashion Design: Pearl Academy, New Delhi, India (affiliation- Nottingham Trent University, UK)
Nidhi is a multi-disciplinary designer whose work is inspired by
societal challenges. She leverages the convergence of design and
technology to shed light on critical issues like women’s
safety, social inequality, and environmental concerns. Some
of her impactful projects include smart garments aimed at
empowering women against gender-based violence, inclusive
branding for a Citizen Social Science initiative, recycled
plastic products for underprivileged students, and bio-plastics
as alternatives to single-use plastics.
M.F.A., Scenic Design, Department of Theatre, University of California, San Diego, 1996. B.A., Design of the Environment, University of Pennsylvania, 1990.
After three decades as a Set Decorator and Production Designer in
Film/TV, including an Emmy nomination for the series Transparent,
Nya has transitioned her practice to textile design and
installation art. Her work explores themes of deep ecology,
spirituality, and identity, examining cultural intersections and
crossed histories through a contemporary lens.
B.A., Information Systems, German, University of Washington, Honors Program 2022
Megan Plunkett is a designer with a background in
information systems, which informs their approach to user
experience. With expertise in data visualization, website design,
and illustration, they aim to transition into UX design. Their
interests include the impact of modern technology on human
behavior, branding persuasion, and accessible technology, all of
which shape their evolving design philosophy.
Emily is a multidisciplinary designer with a passion for
Narrative Experience Design. Using storytelling as a design
mechanism, she has experience working to design various
architectures, exhibits and themed spaces with specialized skills
in 3D modeling, prototyping, and graphic design. As a competitive
figure skater and Disney College Program alumni, Emily’s
interests in theater and themed experiences fuel her love for
design.