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.
B.A., Graphic Design, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2017
Mariano is a graphic designer from Buenos Aires, Argentina. With
experience in brand identity, packaging, editorial design, and
art direction, his work spans print, digital media, and motion
graphics. Inspired by both his design practice and his
musical background, he uses creativity as a tool to imagine
inclusive and multisensory experiences, exploring how design can
expand beyond the visual to connect people through multiple
senses.
Before joining the MFA in Design program at UC Davis, Grace
operated her own design and illustration studio, creating work
across games, toys, graphic design, and brand illustrations.
Informed by her dual perspective as both a designer and a
caregiver, she developed a deep interest in how healthcare
communicates with patients and the broader public. Her current
research focuses on advancing the accessibility and clarity of
health informatics for the general public.
Niki is an interdisciplinary designer and artist who operates at
the intersection of social impact, creative technology, and
visual and speculative design. Passionate about storytelling, she
aspires to utilize design as a narrative tool to advocate for and
explore social change. Her focus encompasses areas such as
education and sustainability, aiming to inspire dialogue,
awareness, and action.
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. Design, Museum Studies minor, University of California Davis, 2024
Maev is a designer with a background in graphic and exhibition
design. Having worked in a contemporary art museum after
completing her undergraduate studies, Maev is interested in
exploring how design interventions might allow for more
meaningful and individualized visitor experiences in museums.
Maev is also interested in the role of education in museums and
how design can be used as a tool for understanding.
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.
M.S. Advanced Architectural Design, Columbia University, New York, NY B.E. Architectural Engineering, Sejong University, Seoul, South Korea
Wonjin researches public realms in urban spaces, focusing on the
phenomena of urban decline. His work examines how abandoned and
neglected sites can be reimagined to restore publicness and
community life. He is also the founder of Image Narrative Works,
a practice based on the belief that every phenomenon carries
narratives beyond its surface. With experience spanning
architecture, interior design, installations, sculpture,
photography, and public projects, his work seeks to uncover
invisible values and reflect on the evolving social role of
design.
B.S. Society and Environment, Art Practice minor from UC Berkeley, 2016
Elizabeth works at the intersection of art, nature and the public
good. Before coming to UC Davis, she managed communications for
the nonprofit Parks California, focusing on the Arts in
California Parks program. Before that, Elizabeth worked for six
years with the California Native Plant Society, where she
promoted knowledge and investment into the plants and ecosystems
that make California a biodiversity hotspot. She began her career
leading interactive science and environmental art lessons as an
outdoor science instructor in the Sierra Nevada.
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.
B.S. Elementary Education, Illinois State University, Bloomington, Illinois, 2003Studied Industrial Design, California College of the Arts, San Francisco, California, 2011-2013
Patima P. Pataramekin is a seasoned artist, UX researcher,
and designer with over fifteen years of experience. She has led
cross-disciplinary initiatives in strategy and user experience at
global corporations such as Apple, Google, and Cisco Meraki.
Patima possesses a deep expertise in human-centered design,
systems thinking, and storytelling. Building on her background as
an educator, she has collaborated on humanitarian and design
initiatives with Syrian refugees and communities in Haiti.
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.
BFA, Communication Design, School of Architecture and Design, King Mongkutt University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand, 2018
Anne is a multidisciplinary brand designer often practicing brand
creation and ideations alongside overseeing production processes
working closely with printmakers, craftsmen and prop masters.
Anne emphasizing on creating true-to-origin intertwining brand
stories delivers a worthwhile brand experience with each brand’s
audiences. Working 6 years in the graphic design industry in
Bangkok has enable her tap on multiple outlets in the design
scenes in Thailand ranging work from signage systems, real
estate, window display, packaging, restaurant brands, textile
patterns and many more.
