My journey began in 2012 when I started studying Economics at UFSC. It was there that I honed my strategic and analytical thinking skills and discovered a passion for business and innovation. I realized that Design offered a more creative and hands-on way to apply these skills, so I returned to pre-university preparation while taking technical courses in graphic and web design, eventually enrolling at UFSC the following year.

With a multidisciplinary approach, I sought out diverse experiences, interning in graphic design, urban art, innovation, audiovisual production, and marketing. I worked at high-growth startups as well as established companies like Softplan. I also had the chance to study Entrepreneurship and Multimedia Design in Lisbon, where I developed my first real-world capstone project in Design for Digital Innovation, delivering tangible results for a real company.

During college, I launched a design studio and an online delivery franchise, entrepreneurial ventures that gave me a deeper understanding of the market and the innovation process. After the pandemic, I took on the role of brand and marketing coordinator at an info-product production company, where I developed four digital launches and new products. Later, I led the rebranding of a renewable energy startup, which boosted its market value and led to its acquisition by investors. This project elevated me to a marketing leadership role, where I established expansion strategies and processes that solidified the brand’s position.

With over eight years of experience in brand strategy, communication, and digital innovation, I see design as a tool for turning challenges into meaningful impact. I have a sharp eye for connections, a knack for absorbing information, and the ability to think strategically to develop effective solutions. Driven by research and strategic thinking, I view design as a way to solve problems and deliver real value to brands and businesses.

Rafael M.