Maria João Félix

Maria João Félix is a professor, researcher, and designer whose career is marked by a deep commitment to the fields of industrial design, education, industry, circular economy, and sustainability. She holds a Postdoctoral degree in Design, with a thesis titled “Bioneurodesign: from noetics to supermodernity,” completed at the Lisbon School of Architecture, reflecting her dedication to pushing the boundaries of design and practice.

In a pivotal role, Maria João Félix serves as the founder and General Chair of the international conference “Design Commit 2024,” a platform that bridges the worlds of design and industry, fostering collaboration and innovation. Her leadership in this capacity underscores her passion for advancing design and industrial synergy.

Beyond her leadership at the conference, Maria João Félix is the author of the book “Strategic Reflection for Design in Portugal: Systematization of internationally produced thinking on the contours of research in the field of design,” emphasizing her commitment to elevating Portuguese design both nationally and internationally.

Maria João Félix’s academic journey includes earning her Ph.D. in Design from the Lisbon School of Architecture in 2013. In 2006, she completed her Master’s in Industrial Design through a collaboration between the School of Arts and Design of Matosinhos | ESAD and the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto | FEUP. Her academic foundation was laid in 1998 when she obtained her degree in Design, specializing in Equipment, from the School of Arts and Design of Matosinhos | ESAD.

Her professional journey has been characterized by her dedication to teaching in higher education and her work as an Industrial Designer. Maria João Félix has continuously strived to bridge the gap between academia and industry, emphasizing the importance of adapting educational programs to meet the evolving challenges and market demands within the design industry.

From 2012 to 2015, she held the position of a Member of the Council for Evaluation and Quality at the Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave. During this time, she actively coordinated evaluation and quality efforts, ensuring the highest standards at the School of Technology | EST and later taking on the role of Coordinator of the School of Design | ESD. Her responsibilities included overseeing self-assessment processes for undergraduate and master’s degree programs, actively contributing to quality committees, and preparing comprehensive reports.

Maria João Félix has held significant roles in academia, including Director of the Department of Industrial and Product Design, Director of the Undergraduate Program in Industrial Design, Director of the Master’s Program in Design and Product Development, and head of the Scientific Area of Industrial Design. Her influence is evident in the restructuring of curricular programs, aligning them with the practical needs of the design industry.

Her commitment to pedagogical excellence led to a public commendation (no. 1446/2011) for achieving the highest overall average among lecturers at the School of Technology of the Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave, where she taught seven courses over three years.

Currently, Maria João Félix is actively involved in the Technical-Scientific and Pedagogical Councils of ESD_IPCA. Additionally, she is a member of the General Council of IPCA. She is also an author and reviewer for scientific publications in accredited international journals and has played a pivotal role in organizing scientific events in the field of Industrial Design.

Maria João Félix began her career as a designer in 1998, creating a diverse portfolio of works that have been showcased at various fairs and events. She was honored with the Mobis 2001 Prize in recognition of her significant contributions to the design industry.