I found out about Design at the same time my mother did. She was a languages teacher at the time, and she now works as a furniture designer. I always liked artistic activities as a kid and wanted to work with something connected to creativity. We learned about Design and I fell in love with graphic design as a career.But beyond Design as a practice in itself, other topics have heavily influenced me. As a teenager, I started listening to Punk Rock, and started to investigate the ideas behind the songs. Music, in general, has always been at the forefront of raising awareness for social issues and being in tune with current events. Many music genres are born out of political dissatisfaction. I was fascinated with album cover art, and I realized that visual manifestations do not happen by chance: they reflect a way of thinking and doing – and this perception is essential for my practice today.Later on, I started cycling around the city. What started as a hobby got me involved in broader urban mobility initiatives in an unexpected way and gave me a new perspective of the city where I was born and raised. I discovered the architecture of São Paulo – Brazilian modernist icons – and also designed flyers for cycling groups. However, in addition to the visual aspect, what impressed me the most was the construction of bike lanes. At that time they did not exist in the city, and the groups I participated in did a big push to get the public administration to start caring about cyclists. Seeing such a big change happen around me showed me that my actions can definitely have an impact – both as a person and as a designer.From discovering design with my mom, to punk rock and cycling, Design has always been there. And what I learned in these three moments is that what matters most in Design is not Design. For my mother, Design was a symbol of long-term independence and self-discovery. And, in a way, for me too. Through music, I discovered ideas and shaped my political perceptions. Through the bicycle, I realized that our personal choices have an impact and that it is possible to generate change. And sometimes with Design.  » Read More

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