A L I T T L E B I T A B O U T M E . . .
Hi! I’m Valencia.
I’m a multidiscliplinary designer and design thinker. I am a strong believer in the power of design to bring about the change needed in the world. Having lived in three continents—growing up in Indonesia, studying in Germany and now living in the United States—I have witnessed and gained a deep understanding of how different systems and designs shape communities, influence mindsets and address disparities, whether succesfully or not.
My background in architecture from the Technical University of Munich taught me the essential technical skills of design practice. Coupled with training in collaborative human-centered design and research through the MA Design in Health program from UT Austin, I seek to empower communities and people through informed design decision-making to create sustainable change and equitable access.
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Scroll down to read about how I approach design!
Resume
Education
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
MA - Master of Arts in Design focused on Health
// Texas Design in Health Distinguished Student Scholarship Recipient
TECHINCAL UNIVERSITY OF MUNICH (TUM)
BA - Bachelor of Arts in Architecture
// Semester abroad at Tongji University, Shanghai (Conducted online due to Covid-19)
Work Experience
DESIGN RESEARCHER AND PRODUCT DESIGNER
Seamless Ventures for Hope Network
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GRADUATE DESIGN RESEARCHER AND STRATEGIST
Longhorn Wellness Center (LWC)
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WORKPLACE USER EXPERIENCE (UX) CONSULTANT
Drees & Sommer SE
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Aug 2024-May 2025
Sept 2023-Oct 2019
Jan 2025-May 2025
Sept 2024-Dec 2024
Dec 2022-Sept 2023
How I Approach Design
Intentional
Design things not for the sake of it. Be intentional about what problem design can solve, the consequences it might have and question if it even needs to exist.
Thinking Big and Small
Aim to understand user's needs with empathy while balancing logic to understand how they fit within the larger system, in order to design solutions that are purposeful and sustainably functional.
Meeting People Where They Are
Design for humans as they are not as we want them to be. It's not the user's job to understand the design, it's the designer's responsibility to make the design easily understandable for users.
Accessible
Strive for solutions that don't create new barriers to access, and actively seek to identify and remove existing ones.
Resilient
Create systems and set up the necessary nudges, triggers, or guardrails to ensure solutions can adapt and thrive in the face of challenges.
Proactive
Solving immediate problems are important, but designing with a future-forward mindset, by anticipating potential challenges, ensures long-term success and minimizes the need for reactive problem-solving.