I have had the honor of seeing my work recognized by several institutions in Brazil and abroad.
In 2003, I received the HOLAnDA prize from LADF – the Latin American Design Foundation in Amsterdam, for prototypes for the kinetic spirals and mob tapestries made from E.V.A. waste.
In 2005, the same products, already developed into effective handcrafted technologies, won a first prize in the international design contest Design 21 2005, promoted by UNESCO and Felissimo Design House.
In 2007, I was named among “100 of the world’s most exciting and important young product designers”, by indication of design critic and curator Maria Helena Estrada for the book &Fork, published by Phaidon Press.
From 2007 to 2010, I developed project EVAMARIA, which was supported by Artemisia Social Businesses, and received SEBRAE’s Top 100 Handicraft award in 2009. In 2008, I was a YouthActionNet global fellow – a program by the International Youth Foundation that selects and supports 20 young entrepreneurs every year for their work leading positive social initiatives.
ABOUT ME
Hi! I’m Carla.
I create – and help other people create – innovative processes from discarded resources. My goal is to demonstrate how it is possible to develop gourgeous and effective products, enhancing the value of each material.
I have worked for almost 20 years with what others call ‘trash’, and slowly came to realize things are never what they seem.
Trash doesn’t exist.
or
Trash is an indication of bad design.
And, as such, an incredible opportunity for innovation.
Everything needs to be rethought and remade – intelligently, safely, and effectively, preserving the value of materials in circulation and restoring human and environmental health.
I have faith that when more people/companies/institutions understand this is possible, and necessary, we will see a new cultural and industrial revolution – a creative revolution in the way we conceive of, produce and consume things. This has already started to happen, and some have been calling it the Circular Economy, Cradle to Cradle or Circular Design.
I believe in the Circular Economy, Creative Economy and Collaborative Economy.
(Not a big believer in the other economies..)
MY EDUCATION
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From 1995 to 1997 I attended the United World College-USA in New Mexico with students from over 70 countries. There I received an International Baccalaureate degree specializing in Art and Design, History and English.
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I majored in History at the University of São Paulo from 1999 to 2005.
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Along with college, I received design training at the “Object Construction” lab conducted by designers Humberto and Fernando Campana at the Brazilian Museum of Sculpture from 1999 to 2001.
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At the end of the course, I co-founded notechdesign collective, which continued the work of cocreation and creative material transformation, and until 2005 contributed to the Brazilian and international design movement with products, interventions and exhibitions.
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From 2007 to 2009, I took part in an intensive training process in entrepreneurship and social impact business models by Artemisia Social Businesses, and was one of 5 projects selected for their support.
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In 2008, I specialized in Design for Sustainability through the international Gaia Education program.
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From 2009 to 2012, I attended IDDS – the International Development Design Summit, first as a participant, then as an organizer. There I learned about the power of appropriate technologies, user-centered design, and Design Thinking and prototyping processes, and became a member of IDIN – the International Development Innovators Network.
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Between 2011 and 2013, I specialized in Creative Facilitation and underwent trainings with Charlie Murphy, founder of PYE - Partners for Youth Empowerment.
When I am not facilitating workshops or creating wonderful products in other cities, I can be found in São Luiz do Paraitinga, state of São Paulo with my partner Fernando, our daughter Manu and our cats Jackson and Lewis.
I love to read, dance, travel and learn new things.