Hi again,
I'm Daniela João ✌️ a Software Designer who builds thoughtful, user-centred software.
Swapping sun-drenched Portugal for buttery croissants in France, I then headed for the pebble beaches and charming towns of the south of England. Now, I'm happily developing an addiction for Irn Bru (sugar-free!) in Glasgow, Scotland!
👩💻 Designing with purpose
I do my best work in ambitious, proactive teams where collaboration drives great products. I thrive in environments that embrace challenges, encourage thoughtful solutions, and prioritise accessibility at every step. I’m in my element working alongside developers, designers, and stakeholders who care about building things well and bringing their best to a project.
🎨 What I bring to the table
Thoughtful design starts with people
I design with real user insights, creating experiences that solve real problems, not just assumptions. Every decision is guided by research, testing, and an understanding of how people actually interact with products.
Design system warrior
I create and refine design systems that empower teams through consistency, efficiency, and scalability. I care deeply about systems that are well-governed, thoughtfully applied, and able to evolve alongside the product as needs change. For me, a strong design system supports quality and cohesion while still leaving room for considered improvement over time.
Collaboration & Strategy
Great products aren’t built in silos. I work closely with developers, PMs, and stakeholders to align vision with execution, bridging gaps between teams to turn ideas into seamless, user-focused solutions.
A UI-leaning approach
I take an end-to-end approach to design, ensuring that interfaces are not only visually polished but also intuitive, functional, and user-centred. My passion lies in creating engaging experiences that balance aesthetics with usability, because a strong product deserves more than just a pretty interface.
Supporting others & shaping quality
I actively support fellow designers by sharing feedback, offering guidance, and contributing to design critiques. I help uphold quality and consistency across our work, encouraging thoughtful design decisions and cross-team alignment. I believe great design happens when we lift each other up and create space for collaboration and growth.
🍎 Education
Master’s Degree
Communication Design
Faculty of Architecture of Lisbon, Portugal
Bachelor’s Degree
Design Multimedia
Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, Portugal
🤖 Experience
Over a decade working across UI, UX and product design.
Product Designer · ParentPay Group · Nov '22 - Now 📍
Remote, UK
End-to-end design • Information architecture • Design system • Multi-brand design • Stakeholder alignment • Mobile & Web app
UX/UI Designer · Schoolcomms · Sep '16 - Nov '22
Worthing, UK
UX/UI design • Component libraries • Style guide creation • Wireframing & Prototyping • Cross-platform design • Collaboration with developers
UI Designer · MySign · Aug '15 - April '16
Nancy, France
Typography and layout design • Wireframing & Prototyping • Design process implementation • Branding • Mobile & Web app • Marketing design
Web & Graphic Design · IPSantarém · Feb '14 - Sep '14
Santarém, Portugal
Communication design • Brand design • Visual communication • Promotional material creation • Marketing collaboration
👻 Beyond the 9 to 5
I love games with a captivating story and a satisfying mechanic.
👾️ Currently playing: Monster Hunter Stories 1
⭐️ Favourite game at the moment: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
💙 If I could only pick one game to play forever: Super Mario World
I live with the Furtastic 4: Simba (The Thing, always grumpy), Pixel (Mister Fantastic, always stretching), Loki (Human Torch, the chaos child), and Pandora (Invisible Woman, matches the carpets).
“It’s pretty amazing to wake up every morning, knowing that every decision I make is to cause as little harm as possible. It’s a pretty fantastic way to live.” - Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
The millennial in me collects plants like it’s a coping mechanism. A red flag? Probably. A toxic trait? Definitely.
🪴️ My favourite plant is the Alocasia Zebrina
Online in Glasgow
© 2026 DJoão
