Hi! I'm Rafael 👋
An AI-driven senior Product Designer, always matching business' requirements with user's desires.

Sarah Harrigan

Empathetic Product Leader: Innovative · Insight Driven · Results Orientated · May 15, 2026 · Managed Rafael directly

I have worked with Rafael for the past two years now and I can't recommend him enough. He is at the forefront of all things Design with AI, he is assertive and his passion for the customer experience is unmatched. Rafael is the type of Product Design Thought Leader you want on your team, thinking outside the box, challenging ideas and bringing powerful solutions to the table.

Daiko Hachiya

Product Design Manager at Upland Software · March 25, 2025 · Managed Rafael directly

I've enjoyed watching Rafael grow from a talented tactical designer into a truly strategic product designer. Over the past few years, he's taken on more complex challenges, leading projects from inception to completion with a calm and confident approach. Rafael has a knack for speaking the language that resonates with each team member, whether he's diving into technical details with developers or sharing clear, simple narratives with PMs. Not only is he a joy to work with (he brings a very chill, collaborative vibe to our team) but he also goes above and beyond by mentoring junior designers outside of work and helping them polish their portfolios and resumes. His passion for design extends well beyond his day-to-day work, and it's clear that he's committed to raising the bar for any organization lucky enough to have him on board. Rafael is passionate about his growth, and every 1 on 1 ends with a, 'what can I do better as a designer'. I'm confident that Rafael will continue to elevate any team or project he's a part of, and I'm excited to see where his journey takes him next!

Suzana Oliveira

Coworker and coordinator

I had the opportunity to work with Rafael as a coworker and as his coordinator, on both experiences he showed great creativity, interpersonal skills, a great team player and highly committed with results. He's always interested on learning new things and helping the team achieve the results. I highly recommend Rafael as a coworker and personal friend.

Leon Nussbaumer

Driving business growth the human way, with AI · September 27, 2021 · Rafael's client

I was part of Rafael's introductory course to HTML and from being "afraid of the language" I became an enthusiast. He is super patient with the students, very approachable and finds really easy to simplify complex subjects. If you get the chance to join his course, do it while he's not charging millions for it!

Larissa Arnold

UX Researcher & UX Designer at Madcraft · September 12, 2024 · Rafael's client

Rafael is an excellent mentor, I took part in the portfolio review for Junior UX Designers, and it was my turning point. His method is very good, he asked me to present my portfolio and a case study, and from that he gave me valuable feedback, his way of explaining is simple, without a lot of beating around the bush and most importantly he is sincere. For example, he showed me how to structure my website to make my projects stand out to Hiring Managers and Recruiters, he showed me examples of portfolios from market references, and he gave me tips on what to highlight in my projects when I present them at an interview. This has given me the confidence to apply for jobs and feel more prepared for interviews. Rafael also asked me to collaborate on his blog, creating content about UX/UI Design, which has opened doors to freelance work and more interviews. I'm immensely grateful for the mentoring and support Rafael has given me, and I highly recommend that if you've just graduated in UX you take part in the portfolio review, which is something so valuable that words can't describe it!

Ema Devcic

UX/UI Designer · Product, Strategy & Customer Experience · MSc User Experience Design · May 11, 2025 · Rafael's client

I'm so grateful for the time Rafael took to mentor me. He reviewed my work, walked me through real-world examples, and shared some unique ideas that will help take my portfolio to the next level. Thank you for your time and support, Rafael!

Aline de Brito

Communication & Marketing · Circular Economy · September 17, 2024 · Rafael's client

I connected with Rafael on LinkedIn earlier this year, and his willingness to help a complete stranger was remarkable to me. Despite not knowing me personally, Rafael dedicated his time and expertise to review my portfolio. Rafael's guidance was so insightful that I filled four pages of my notebook with notes during our first session. His knowledge in UX Design and his eye for detail were important to understand my purpose and, consequently, improve my portfolio. More than just advice and suggestions, he brought practical examples that were directly applicable to my work, proving his broad knowledge. His feedback helped me understand what was important and relevant for the position I was seeking, and his support was crucial in enhancing my confidence. I secured an internship in February 2024 and transitioned to a UX Design role in August 2024. I believe both the first and review sessions were game-changers in my career and mindset as a professional. I see his availability and willingness to help as an example to follow and a soft superpower. I have already recommended him to other designers, and I am pleased to do so again through this message.

Maria Gardette

Technical Support Engineer @ Trustpair · Helping enterprises secure payments through advanced technical support · August 10, 2021 · Worked with Rafael but on different teams

Rafael was the person who gave me the basics in HTML & CSS and then inspired my wish to go back to study, particularly Computing Studies. Rafael took the time to teach every level of student — some in the group already knew, but most of us, like me, had no idea of what CSS would have to be doing with HTML. Thanks to him, I was able to create an online CV that helped me enter a Higher Diploma at NCI.

Lissandro Silva

Creative Designer with UX/UI Knowledge · April 22, 2024 · Rafael's client

Rafael's mentorship on UX/UI design was fantastic! He delved deep into the importance of user research, which I can see will be crucial for understanding user needs and creating effective designs. He also showed me how my existing skills in graphic design can be directly applied to the UX/UI field. His evaluation of my portfolio was incredibly helpful — for example, he suggested reframing a project to better showcase my UX/UI design skills.

Amaya Santamaria

People & Operations Manager · May 11, 2022 · Worked with Rafael on the same team

I took some programming classes with Rafael and he was a great teacher! I learned how to create my CV on my own website. He was patient, understanding, and kind. He knew a lot about the topic and could spot our mistakes easily when for us it was impossible. 100% would recommend working with Rafael as a colleague or a teacher.