Product Designer | 25+ years driving business outcomes

I’m a product designer with over 25 years of experience solving complex problems through user-centered design. I’ve worked with global enterprises such as HPE, Itaú, and Bloomreach, as well as high-growth startups like CharterUP, Woolf, and Kiwi.com, delivering products that drive measurable business outcomes.

My journey started with drawing and illustration as a kid, evolved through graphic design and web development, and led me to product design, where I focus on the intersection of user needs, business goals, and technical constraints. I love transforming complex systems into intuitive experiences that people actually enjoy using.

Beyond work, I teach Design Thinking and illustration as a Mensa workshop facilitator, volunteer as a face painter with children in Paraisópolis, and contribute to the design community through AIGA. When I’m not designing, you’ll find me building LEGO Space Classic sets, illustrating, or practicing hand lettering.


<aside> ✏️ Did you know? As a child, I loved drawing and creating new things. To take my skills to the next level, I enrolled in an illustration course and practiced extensively. My hard work paid off, and I dramatically improved my skills; I even worked as an illustrator. So I decided to pursue a career in design, where I could better use my artistic abilities. 🎨

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What I bring to the table

Analog and digital fluency

I am a Xennial, which means I can efficiently work across traditional and digital mediums, hand drawing, illustration, lettering, and sculpture alongside product design, prototyping, and frontend code. This dual fluency means I can sketch ideas on paper, then translate them into digital form with intention. Working with physical materials teaches you about constraints and craft in ways that purely digital work doesn’t.

Technical empathy

I worked for nine years alongside developers and software architects, during which I learned HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. More importantly, it gave me deep empathy and understanding for engineering constraints and how to collaborate effectively with technical teams. I understand what’s hard versus what’s impossible.

Global perspective

I’ve worked directly with markets in Argentina, Brazil, Czechia, Chile, France, India, Spain, Ukraine, and the United States. I understand how cultural context shapes user needs and expectations. Currently at HPE, I design products used by tens of thousands of enterprise customers worldwide.

Cross-industry experience

I’ve designed for telecom, finance, travel, e-commerce, education, and enterprise SaaS. This breadth helps me see patterns across industries and apply lessons from one domain to another. I don’t get stuck in “this is how we’ve always done it” thinking.

Early adopter of user-centered thinking

I started designing with users in mind before “UX Designer” was a job title. That means I approach problems from first principles rather than blindly following trends or frameworks. I care about outcomes, not buzzwords.

Resilience

I’ve navigated company shutdowns, international relocations, major pivots, and working across vastly different organizational cultures. I adapt quickly, learn from setbacks, and stay focused on delivering value even when circumstances change.


Twice-exceptional (2e)

I’m twice-exceptional (2e), which means I’m both gifted and have ADHD. This combination shapes how I work: I see patterns and connections quickly, think systemically, and love tackling complex problems. At the same time, I need structure, clear priorities, and focused time to do my best work.

I’m active in Mensa, where I teach Design Thinking and illustration workshops and curate and organize art exhibitions. This community gives me space to explore creative problem-solving and share knowledge with curious, intellectually engaged people.


Living with ADHD

I was diagnosed with ADHD as a kid, which explained a lot about how I’ve always worked and learned, but it was when I grew older that it started influencing me the most. Being open about this helps me work better with others and helps them understand how to work effectively with me.

What ADHD means for how I work

Hyperfocus is my superpower

When I engage with a problem, I can work for hours without breaking focus. That is when I do my best design work: deep thinking, connecting patterns, solving complex challenges.

Context-switching is my kryptonite

Interruptions break my flow entirely, and it takes 15-30 minutes to regain momentum. I do my best work with blocks of uninterrupted time.

I need an external structure

My brain doesn’t naturally prioritize or organize, so I rely heavily on systems: calendars, reminders, and clear frameworks. Ambiguity is exhausting for me.

I think out loud

Talking through problems helps me process and organize my thoughts. I’m not always looking for input. I need to externalize to think clearly.

Deadlines motivate me

I work best with clear timeframes and milestones. Open-ended projects without structure are challenging for me to navigate.

What helps me thrive

Clear priorities

Help me understand what matters most and what can wait. I struggle when everything feels equally urgent.

Structured communication

Regular 1-on-1s, clear agendas, and written follow-ups help me stay aligned and accountable.

Focus time

Blocks of uninterrupted time (2-3 hours) for deep work are essential for my best output.

Explicit expectations

Let me know directly what you need and when. I don’t pick up on hints well, and I appreciate straightforward communication.

Reminders and check-ins

I sometimes forget things that aren’t written down or scheduled. Gentle reminders help me stay on track.

Patience with my process

I might need to talk through ideas before they’re fully formed, or take a non-linear path to solutions. The result is worth it.

What doesn’t work for me

Constant interruptions

Slack pings, drop-in questions, and frequent meetings throughout the day fragment my focus and reduce my effectiveness.

Vague feedback

“Make it better” or “I don’t like this” without specifics leaves me guessing. I need concrete direction to iterate effectively.

Too many priorities

If everything is important, nothing is. I need help narrowing my focus to what truly matters.

Last-minute changes without context

Sudden shifts in direction without explanation are disorienting and make it hard for me to recalibrate.


Things I do that may annoy you

I believe in being upfront about my quirks so we can work together more effectively.

I am very direct and honest

I say what I think and feel, sometimes without filtering. I don’t play political games or hint at things. I tell them outright.

I can be very opinionated

I have strong perspectives on design, process, and how things should work. I’m open to being wrong, but I’ll argue my position until I’m convinced otherwise.

I like to question things

“Why are we doing it this way?” is a question I ask often. I’m not being difficult. I genuinely want to understand the reasoning so I can do better work.

I get enthusiastic about topics I’m passionate about

Design, history, architecture, LEGO, illustration… I can talk for hours about these things. Feel free to redirect me if I’m going too deep.

I think out loud

I process by talking. Sometimes I’m working through ideas, not asking for input. I’ll let you know which is which.

I need clarity and structure

Ambiguity stresses me out. I’ll ask clarifying questions until I understand what’s expected.

If something I say comes across wrong, I appreciate direct feedback. I’m always open to understanding different perspectives over coffee or tea.