I’m a multidisciplinary designer dedicated to shaping a better tomorrow.
About me
Hi! I’m Carmen, hailing from Dublin, Ireland. 
I’m a multidisciplinary designer with 2+ years of experience in digital visual design. I developed my skills working on various projects in small startup businesses through to accelerators, social enterprises, NGOs and consultancies.
Although my design background started in product design, I’ve ventured into branding, UX/UI design, illustration and motion design. This unconventional path has provided me with a foundational legacy in empahsising the importance of the user when encountering different visual mediums (be that products, visual interactions, services or systems).
I try to use my skills to craft meaningful experiences that inspire change and foster connection. I believe that design is a tool which can be used for good, and designers can become activists for the same in the products, systems and services which they design. I believe that we can design our way to a better and more meaningful future.
Skills
UI/UX
Design
I have strong UX skills like user research, journey mapping, and wireframing, which help me design intuitive and user-centered experiences. On the UI side, I’m confident in visual design, typography, prototyping tools like Figma, and creating responsive, accessible interfaces.
2D Sketching &
Illustration
I’m skilled in 2D sketching and illustration, with a strong grasp of form, proportion, and composition that helps me bring ideas to life visually. I love creating expressive characters, detailed environments, and clean line work—whether it’s for concept art, storyboards, or digital illustrations. I’m confident using tools like Procreate, Photoshop, and traditional media, and I always aim to capture emotion and clarity in every piece I create.
Graphic
Design
I’m proficient in graphic design, with a strong eye for layout, color, and typography that helps me create visually compelling and brand-consistent work. I enjoy designing everything from logos and posters to social media content and marketing materials, using tools like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. I focus on clarity, impact, and storytelling in every project, making sure the visuals not only look great but communicate effectively.
Video
Editing
I have experience in video editing, with a strong sense of pacing, storytelling, and visual rhythm that helps me craft engaging and polished content. I work confidently with tools like Adobe Premiere Pro, and After Effects to cut footage, add transitions, sync audio, and enhance visuals with motion graphics. Whether it’s short-form social content or longer narrative pieces, I focus on clarity, emotion, and impact to bring every frame to life.
3D
Modelling
I love bringing concepts to life using Blender. I create detailed models, sculpt organic forms, and build clean topology for animation or rendering. I enjoy experimenting with lighting, materials, and camera angles to produce cinematic, high-quality renders. Whether it’s product visualization, character design, or environmental scenes, I focus on realism, mood, and storytelling in every frame.
2D/3D Motion
Graphics
I use tools like After Effects and Blender to animate typography, shapes, and 3D elements with smooth transitions, expressive timing, and cinematic flair. Whether it’s explainer videos, title sequences, or social media loops, I focus on rhythm, clarity, and emotional impact to make every frame feel alive and purposeful.
Experience
Multimedia Officer
Graphic/Digital Designer
(2024 December - Present)
Graphic Design
Supported ACLED’s outreach and engagement efforts by crafting custom visuals for social media, newsletters, infographics, and promotional materials under the guidance of the Associate Multimedia Coordinator.
Weekly updates were made to existing infographic templates to reflect new data and insights.
Collaborated with the Web Manager to brainstorm design concepts for ACLED’s web infrastructure and ensured consistent branding across all platforms.
Contributed to visual storytelling by assisting the Research and Analysis teams with data visualization outputs and developing tailored templates for joint projects.
Video Editing, Production & Animation
Produced dynamic and informative videos for ACLED’s website and social media channels, aligning each piece with the organization’s branding and tone.
Created bespoke motion graphics that reinforced a cohesive visual identity across multimedia content.
Data & Visual Storytelling
- Designed a range of multimedia assets — from infographics and illustrations to immersive storytelling/scrolly-telling pieces — to enhance audience engagement and understanding of complex data.
Publications
Took charge of layout and design for analytical reports and rapid response publications.
Developed fresh, clean templates for internal policies, guides, and other written materials.
Ensured timely updates to existing templates with new content on a weekly basis.
Digital Library Management
Maintained an organized digital asset repository using Google Photos and Google Drive.
Responded to team requests by supplying relevant photos and materials, while keeping multimedia guidelines current.
Brand Management Marketing & Outreach
Played a key role in implementing ACLED’s branding strategy by upholding visual standards across all creative and written outputs.
Supported the Corporate Licensing team with client and donor outreach through the design and production of brochures, welcome packets, proposals, and reports.
Administrative Support
Provided administrative assistance to the Head of Communications and Communications Coordinator.
Delivered ad hoc support to other departments as needed, ensuring smooth cross-team collaboration.
Effector
Junior Web Designer (UI/UX design)
(2024 March - 2024 October)
- Created visually appealing and user-friendly WordPress websites, focusing on design aesthetics and usability.
- Collaborated closely with clients to understand their design requirements and branding guidelines, ensuring the alignment of design concepts with their vision.
- Implemented responsive web design techniques to ensure websites are accessible and visually engaging on various devices and screen sizes.
- Stayed updated on the latest WordPress themes, plugins, and design trends, incorporating them into web design projects to deliver fresh and modern designs.
- Conducted thorough testing and quality assurance to guarantee the functionality and performance of WordPress websites.
- Actively participated in design discussions and brainstorming sessions with internal team, contributing creative ideas and concepts to enhance website aesthetics and user experience.
- Communicate effectively with clients, providing design updates, addressing feedback, and ensuring the successful execution of design projects.
Cambridge Consultants Ltd
MedTech Industrial Design Intern
(2021 Aug - 2022 Aug)
Medical Technology Industrial Design Intern (User Centered Design)
- Carrying out and presenting user research to multidisciplinary teams
- Participating in, and leading concept generation and problem-solving workshops
- Preparing designs at various fidelities i.e. from analogue sketch to a detailed render
- Manufacturing of prototypes, hands-on or by liaising with suppliers
- Evaluating ideas and prototypes with feedback from users and stakeholders
- Sitting in on client meetings and contributing work to client briefs and presentations.
- Clients include AstraZeneca, Medtronic, Iridium etc.
- Creating rough low fidelity prototypes of client designs.
As a product designer, I can bring teamwork skills and my experience in product development to the team. My abilities in the latter encompasses the whole process of bringing a product to the market. This includes market research, internal stakeholder interviews and audits, persona creation (etc.) all the way to designing the system/product architecture, making high fidelity prototypes and conceptual images to clearly present and define the proposition. This process was a daily occurrence during my yearlong internship in Cambridge Consultants, located in Cambridge, England where I worked on projects with clients such as AstraZenca, Medtronic and Iridium. I also worked on internal projects – one of which has won a Red Dot Award.
Awards
European Innovation Academy
August 2023
European Innovation Academy (University of Porto)
Top 10 team Award (from a selection of 100 teams) derived from a 3 week study abroad entrepreneurship accelerator with mentors/coaches in marketing, tech, design, IP – along with investor & VC pitching.
Technological University Dublin (TUDublin)
August 2023
Technological University Dublin (TUDublin)
Design Student of the Year 2023
Product Design Year 4 (1st Class Honours)
This award was achieved for obtaining the highest grade in the collective year.
CIRCUL-A-THON by SABIC
August 2023
Packaging Finalist
GPCA Plastic Conference – Khobar, Saudi Arabia
Chosen by SABIC as a finalist and was invited to attend a presentation ceremony and dinner in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. This occurred during a plastics conference organised by GPCA where I was given the opportunity to present to industry professionals in the petrochemicals, chemicals, industrial polymers, fertilizers, and metals industry.
Plastic Industry Awards
December 2021
Plastic Industry Awards
Finalist
Chosen as a finalist in the PIAs. The brief was to design an outdoor product with the focus on the use of plastics and the circular economy design model.
Cambridge Consultants
May 2022
Cambridge Consultants
Creative Award for Tech Scholar Project, 2022
This award was received during my internship in the company. Along with other interns and tech scholars, I designed a modular Molecular Biology point of use testing Toolkit which could be used in field settings such as refugee camps.
Technological University Dublin (TUDublin)
May 2018
Technological University Dublin (TUDublin)
Design Student of the Year 2018 Product Design Year 1
This award was achieved for obtaining the highest grade in the collective year.