Bio

I am a multidisciplinary designer, researcher, and educator with three years of experience in user research and game design for the higher education and nonprofit sectors. My main focuses are resilience, storytelling and social impact. Some of my latest accomplishments leading MINT Design Studio at the University of Florida, include: fostering partnerships with clients who need graphic design services, and monitoring 33 students' professional practice working with clients to ready them for meeting industry standards. Clients that I have partnered with include research and service initiatives on UF campus, local startups, and nonprofit organizations in the Gainesville area. Prior to my MFA in Design and Visual Communications, I spent nine years as an academic researcher and professor. During that time I also worked in editorial design. I have designed and developed research studies, edited publications, created educational resources, and taught over 2,000 students in Argentina and the United States. My experience as an academic in Linguistics and Literature has been integral to my ability to organize and edit large amounts of complex information, as well as making that information understandable and actionable for students and colleagues. The diversity of students with whom I worked over the years helped me develop my empathy and ability to adapt lectures and resources to a variety of learning styles and needs. I am looking for a full time remote role in the privacy industry. My aim is to design products, services and experiences that are respectful of users’ online privacy. I would also consider designing for educational and community engagement projects centered around those values. To learn more or get in touch, email me at aelesilva@gmail.com My key skills: Workshop design & facilitation (remote and in-person), visual design (Adobe Suite), copyediting, experience design (Figma), qualitative and quantitative research methods (usability testing, focus group, surveys, user research interviews).