Hi again,
I'm Daniela João ✌️ a systems-loving, UI-leaning designer and dad-jokes supporter.
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 passionate developers, designers, and stakeholders who bring their best to a project.
🎨 What I bring to the table
Thoughtful design starts with people
Whether I’m refining a component or crafting a full UI, I start with how real people think, feel, and move through digital spaces. I believe in clarity over cleverness and interfaces that guide without getting in the way.
Design system warrior
I create and refine design systems that ensure consistency, efficiency, and scalability. They're not the enemy—they’re the secret weapon for crafting cohesive, high-quality experiences at scale.
Flexible across teams and tools
I work closely with developers, PMs, stakeholders, and fellow designers to bridge the gap between vision and execution. Whether I’m flying solo or jamming with a team, I bring curiosity, clear communication, and a practical mindset to turn messy 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 smooth, engaging experiences that balance aesthetics with usability—because a strong product deserves more than just a pretty interface.
🍎 Education
Master’s Degree
Communication Design
2012 - 2014 • Faculty of Architecture of Lisbon, Portugal
Bachelor’s Degree
Design Multimedia
2009 - 2012 • Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, Portugal
🤖 Experience
ParentPay Group · Product Designer · Nov 2022 - Now 📍
Remote, UK
End-to-end design • Design thinking • Cross-functional collaboration • Information architecture • Design system • Multi-brand design • Stakeholder alignment • Mobile & Web app
Schoolcomms · UX/UI Designer · Sep 2016 - Nov 2022
Worthing, UK
UX/UI design • Wireframing & Prototyping • Component libraries • Style guide creation • Cross-platform design • Collaboration with developers
MySign · UI Designer · Aug 2015 - April 2016
Nancy, France
Typography and layout design • Wireframing & Prototyping • Design process implementation • Branding • Mobile & Web app • Marketing design
IPSantarém · Web & Graphic Design · Feb 2014 - Sep 2014
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 fighting mechanic.
👾️ Currently playing: Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition
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, because she 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