Hi! I'm Alina, a Researcher & Designer

I believe in the power of design to drive positive social & environmental change and in the necessity for scientific research of the influence of our solutions on the human mind and society. I combine both fields via my B.A in Design and M.Sc in Cognitive Systems.

Present

Currently, I'm supporting the Distributed Learning Technologies Lab of TIDE Lab Universidad Pompeu Fabra. While following my long term goal to follow an inclusive human-centered research approach, developing holistic environmentally friendly systems and creating delightful solutions at the intersection of the virtual and physcial world.

Past

In my bachelor's at the University of Applied Sciences Munich, I developed a broad range of skills from visual design, motion design, interaction design, web design, and product design. During my internship at Blackspace Design Studio, I gained experience in spatial and exhibition design. At frog Design, I deepened my knowledge in Experience Design, Service Design, and Design Research in an internship and the development of my bachelor thesis project. During my time at FROLIC studio, a small product design studio in Amsterdam, focussing on social and environmental impact, I further developed my knowledge in Design Research and Interaction Design. Afterward, I was supporting projects pushing sustainability in the field of tactical urbanism at TUM School of Engineering and Design.

I had the chance to work on a variety of exciting projects from sustainable strategy, virtual exhibitions, urban interventions to inclusive products ...



Professional experience

2023/24
Research Assistant at TIDE Lab Universidad Pompeu Fabra

2023
Research Assistant at TU Munich School of Engineering and Design

2022/23
Design Researcher & Interaction Designer FROLIC studio

2021/22
Experience Design Intern and Thesis researcher at frog Design

2020
Spatial Design Intern Blackspace Design Studio



Education

2023-2024
Cognitive Science (Cognitive Psychology and Artificial Intelligence) at Universidad Pompeu Fabra

2017-2022
Design studies at University of Applied Sciences Munich



Exhibitions, Presentations, Publications & Awards

Exhibitions

Circular Cities by Distributed Design and FabLab Barcelona - Cosmo Caixa Barcelona 2023
Zlin Design Week - Best of Design 2023
Graduation Show - University of Applied Sciences Munich 2022
Universal Design Insititute - Munich Creative Business Week 2022
Show & Tell - University of Applied Sciences Munich 2019
EAT Festival - Biotopia Science Museum 2019


Awards

Universal Design Expert Award - Universal Design Insititute 2022
Zlin Best of Design Award - Second Place Category Service Design 2023
Social Impact Award - Jury Award 2024


Presentations

Interaction Design Conference, Zurich, 2023


Publications

Report "Designing with sustainable strategies and materials" in collaboration with FROLIC studio 2023
Article "How to Design for Human Aging - 5 Methods for Inclusive Digital Experiences"
on frogVoices, republished on UX magazine 2022

Digital Healthcare
Design Workshops
Co-design for Public Spaces
Design Research

Future

I'm always up for exciting collaborations and good conversations about design.

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