My Projects
Explore my work in design and social justice initiatives.
The Bridge: A Case Study on Inequity, Illiteracy, and Inclusive Design
This case story began in 2019, when I volunteered to create a pedestrian map for my local community center in Sanchez, a Curridabat district in San Jose, Costa Rica. The goal was to encourage residents to walk instead of driving short distances. However, I quickly realized that the map, strategically placed in front of the center, was being seen mostly by residents of the neighboring district, Tirrases, a low-income community with high illiteracy rates.
Despite their close proximity, Sanchez and Tirrases were worlds apart, separated by socioeconomic disparities and a history of tension. A makeshift bridge, built by Tirrases residents for easier access to jobs in Sanchez, had even sparked controversy and fear of increased crime. My initial map design proved ineffective for both communities. The residents of Sanchez didn't need it, and many in Tirrases, like Mercedes, couldn't even read it, mistaking the community center for a chocolate factory due to its bee-themed symbols.
This experience highlighted the stark inequalities and misunderstandings that existed, not just between these two districts, but also within my own country and beyond. It sparked a deeper exploration of design's role in bridging these gaps and giving voice to marginalized communities. It led me to pursue a Master's degree in the US, where I continued to grapple with these questions and ultimately crossed that bridge myself, feeling the weight of its symbolism and the palpable tension between these two worlds. This journey underscored the importance of designers connecting with the communities they serve, moving beyond the computer screen to understand the real-world impact of their work.
Meaningful Connections: Awareness, Belonging and Community in Latinas with ADHD
Imagine constantly feeling like you're not good enough, like you're always falling short compared to others. Over time, this can chip away at your self-worth, leaving you feeling doubtful, anxious, and even depressed. This is a common struggle for many women with ADHD, a condition that often goes unrecognized or misunderstood, especially in women and even more so in Latinas.
Why? Because for a long time, research on ADHD mainly focused on how it shows up in men. This means many women, particularly Latinas, go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, facing unique challenges due to cultural stigma around mental health and a lack of culturally sensitive support. This can lead to feelings of isolation, low self-esteem, and difficulty navigating daily life.
This study aimed to shed light on the experiences of Latinas with ADHD, recognizing the deep connection between their cultural identity and how they understand and live with this condition. We want to create a space where these women feel seen, heard, and understood, fostering a sense of belonging and challenging the feeling of being "othered."
To do this, I used approaches that respected and valued their unique perspectives, drawing on Indigenous research methods, emphasizing collaboration and equal partnerships ("Horizontalidad"), and encouraging the sharing of personal stories ("Testimonios"). Through workshops, creative activities like making zines and body maps, and simply sharing experiences, I aimed to empower these women to embrace their identities and navigate their ADHD journeys with greater confidence and support.
Emotional Rides: a case study on public transport service for neurodiverse users.
Adults Learners in the University of Florida: Case study on Andragogy applied to older students in higher learning
My journey as a middle-aged, international student with ADHD navigating the public bus system in Gainesville, Florida, became an unexpected emotional odyssey. Arriving in January 2021 to pursue my Master's degree, I initially relied on walking, but the sprawling campus soon necessitated the use of buses. However, insecurities about my English fluency and anxieties about new tasks, amplified by my unfamiliarity with the US bus system, made this a daunting prospect.
To understand this experience, I documented my emotions during over 20 bus trips over 30 days, noting the impact of various factors on my emotional state. This autoethnographic experiment revealed how specific design aspects of the bus service, under certain conditions, could significantly heighten my stress levels. These findings underscore the importance of considering diverse user needs, including those of international students, individuals with ADHD, and plus-size passengers, to create a truly inclusive and supportive public transportation system.
Belonging is esential for student life. For most of the students, the campus become the most frecuent space during college years. That’s why emotional content is important, not only in the verbal language, but in the visual.
Older students are a minority in the UF right now, of the 5,5% of the student body. But the tendency tells is a growing one. Through visual explorations and interviews, this case study observes some real material from UF publications, and experiment with small changes to expand the direction of the sense of welcoming to a wider audience.
Powerful Voices: The Power of Zines
This study examines the artwork in zines created by a group of young students. The zines were produced as part of a series of thematic workshops designed to explore the students' interests and contexts. These workshops aimed to contribute to a public zine library as a donation from the grant.
Some students expressed concerns about their future, particularly regarding work and personal development. Others showed interest in social issues, family, pets, and cultural heritage. The students actively and voluntarily participated in the workshops, engaging in open discussions on various topics.
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