mariana laranjeira

ABOUT

Interdisciplinary designer and researcher with a strong academic background in Product and Graphic Design. Expertise in design methodologies, computational design, material experimentation, and sustainable design solutions. Passionate about innovative applications of design in emerging fields with special interest in visual design principles, human-centered design, and practice-led research. My research interest is in the intersection of textile techniques, crafts, and processes with biomaterials.

RELEVANT SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

Design & Creativity: Graphic and product design, pattern generation, speculative design, design thinking, and UX/UI principles.

Material Research & Innovation: Sustainable materials, experimental textiles, visual storytelling through materiality.

Education & Collaboration: Research methods, workshop facilitation, student mentorship.

Software Knowledge: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign); Corel Draw; Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel); 3D Sketch Up Modelling; Processing.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

2021 - Teaching Assistant [São Paulo State University (UNESP)], Brazil

Course: Research Methods - 30hs

[Department of Design – Undergraduate Program]

2021 - Guest Lecturer [Universidad de Palermo], Argentina

Course: Advanced Design Studies - 4hs

[Department of Design – Graduate Program]

2020 - Guest Lecturer [Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE)], Brazil

Course: Fashion Surface Design – 4hs

[Department of Design, Art, Fashion – Undergraduate Program]

2006 - Teaching Assistant (Internship) [Instituto de Ensino Superior (IESB/PREVE)], Brazil

Course: Computer Graphics and Digital Imaging - 80hs

[Department of Design – Undergraduate Program]

LANGUAGES

English (Fluent); Portugues (Fluent); Spanish (Fluent); Catalan (Advanced); Korean (Basic)

EDUCATION

2020 - 2024 - Ph.D. in Design [São Paulo State University (UNESP)], Brazil

Thesis: [Sustainable Textile Surface Design: Processes and Strategies Using Bacterial Cellulose-Based Biomaterials] GPA [4,0/4,0]

2017 - 2019 - M.A. in Design [São Paulo State University (UNESP)], Brazil

Dissertation: [Surface Textile Design and Complexity: Investigating Generative Pattern Design and the Use of Computational Algorithms] GPA [4,0/4,0]

2007-2011 - B.A. in Design [Instituto de Ensino Superior (IESB/PREVE)], Brazil

Final Project: [Surface Textile Design for the Gisele Armchair] Graduated with Honors - GPA: [9,58/10,0]

COMPLEMENTARY EDUCATION

2015 - Continuing Education in Liberal Arts [King's University College - Western University], Canada

2009 - Continuing Education in Jewelry Design - 64hs [São Paulo State University], Brazil

ACADEMIC CONTRIBUTIONS

Organized conferences and workshops on design, sustainability, crafts and material research. Engaged in university volunteering programs, contributing to academic and student support initiatives.

2013~2023 - Workshop Facilitator/Special Lecture

[Cambridge University, UK]

Sustainable Surface Design (2023); 3D Card Making (2022).

[São Paulo State University, Brazil]

Principles and logic of Crochet (2017); Processing and Generative Design (2017).

[Western University, Canada]

Kirigami Techniques (2015); Crochet and Knitting (2015).

[Faculdades Integradas de Bauru - FIB, Brazil]

Fashion Customization (2014); Shibori: Tie dye techniques (2014); Surface Design (2013); Origami Techniques (2013).

[Institudo de Ensino Superior - IESB, Brazil]

Surface techniques: Pattern making (2013).

2017 - Event organization - Support Committee

[São Paulo State University, Brazil]

Event Name: Colóquio Internacional de Moda

2009-2011 - Event organization - Executive Committee

[Institudo de Ensino Superior - IESB, Brazil]

Event Name: Diverso Design 2009, 2010, 2011