michelle’s portfolio


design, strategy, 
research



Below, a list of projects that I am proud to have worked on...

Project work
UI/UX
  1. Chorus
  2. Mental Health App
  3. Circular Economy Projects
  4. Drama

Mediated Reality and GenAi

  1. Aurum
  2. Renderella 
  3. Schlumpy Funk
  4. NIO

Design Strategy,  International Development, and Civil Society Work  
  1. Scaling a Youth Health Program Globally 
  2. Advocacy for Community Development 
  3. Supporting Cross Fucntional Teams

Behavioral Design and Cognitive Science Research
  1. Behavioral Design and Theories
  2. Neuroscience
  3. Ritual
  4. Behavior Settings
  5. Ownership 







 project snapshots


about  

          


as a Designer


I am driven to design meaningful changes in people's daily lives while also driving wider organisational and systemic changes. My approach focuses on:


  • Imagining the Future: I envision desirable futures that inspire people and organisations to take action.
  • Framing Complexity: I analyse complex system interactions to uncover opportunities for meaningful innovation.
  • Designing Interventions: I craft concrete, short-term innovations that act as catalysts for long-term systemic change

as a Design Researcher


I am passionate about understanding how designers can drive long-term systemic change in areas such  as energy, healthcare and much more. My research interests include:


  • Building Coalitions: Exploring methods for sustained stakeholder collaboration.
  • Evaluating Systemic Change: Investigating how to measure the impact of interventions on societal systems.
  • Visualising Complexity: Developing new ways to communicate about complex systems effectively to diverse stakeholders, like through interactive system maps or role-playing complexity.

as a Design Mentor / Coach


I am passionate about empowering others—students, peers, and professionals—to grow as designers and leaders by refining their skills, broadening perspectives, and driving systemic impact. My experience includes:

  • Individual Coaching: Mentoring design students on diverse topics, including two Master’s graduation projects through the Interaction Foundry.
  • Engaging Teaching: Lecturing in Master’s electives like Design Psychology and Designing Intervetions for Beahvior Change and Impact, focusing on transition design, behaviour change, and design insights. 
  • Inspiring Practitioners: Delivering workshops to design professionals, equipping them with tools for tackling interaction design and systemic challenges.



me



bio



I’m a design strategist and researcher based in Pittsburgh PA, working at the exciting intersection of design, behavioral science, and societal change. Proudly Panamnian American, I bring a unique perspective to tackling complex challenges.  

My work bridges creativity, research, and strategy to address complex challenges in ways that foster long-term impact. My goal is to enable meaningful change in people's daily lives while also driving wider behavioral, interactive, organisational, and system transformation.

skills

  • 7 years of UI/UX/XR work
  • Systems Thinking: Tackling complex challenges like circular economy.
  • Transition & Systemic Design: Guiding societal and organisational change.
  • International Development
  • Civil Society Work
  • Visioning, Co-Creation, & Reframing: Fostering collaboration to uncover new opportunities.
  • Research Expertise: Utilising qualitative and quantitative methods for impactful design strategies.
  • Actionable Designs: Transforming insights into innovative business opportunities


 connect!