👋 Hi, I’m Ricardo!
I turn complex systems into human experiences
I am a Senior Designer currently simplifying passport and visa services at the U.S. Department of State. My path wasn't linear. I started as an Aerospace Engineer (NASA, Lockheed Martin) and spent years building tech startups in energy, education, and gaming. Today, I use that technical and business background to design intuitive and accessible solutions for complex challenges across industry and government.
SUPERPOWER
An infinite learner, meaning not only enjoy learning, but also need to learn constantly.
HOBBY
For as long as I can remember, I have been illustrating manga characters. Art is a personal expression, and that personal touch comes through in my visual design. Visit my Dribbble page.
VOLUNTEERING
For about 7 seasons, I’ve been an assistant lacrosse coach at public high schools. I firmly believe that sports are a great way to help young people grow and reach their full potential.
Projects
From designing space missions to improving public services
2023-2025
The U.S. Department of State’s Consular Affairs has the critical mission of safeguarding the lives of Americans abroad while facilitating safe and informed travel. As a key member of the product design team, I had the privilege of modernizing Travel.State.Gov, transforming the nation's primary source of consular information into a world-class digital experience.
2023
True Anomaly is a defense technology company focused on space security and resilience. I worked with them to design a command and control (C2) system that lets flight controllers manage a fleet of autonomous spacecraft with the assistance of an AI co-pilot.
2022
PwC Consulting Services is a trusted partner to the world’s leading organizations, helping them navigate unique business challenges and opportunities. To support this important work, I collaborated with the firm to design a tool that makes it much easier for consultants to quickly track and manage their daily deliverables.
2022
NASA partnered with Buendea to develop the XR Operations Support System (XOSS), a multi-user extended reality (XR) simulation platform that helps astronauts prepare to live and work on Mars. In support of this goal and the platform's development, our team developed a robotic aerial drone XR asset that pushes the boundaries of what's possible in Mars exploration.
2021
Dimensions Retreats offers holistic wellness retreat programs to support personal growth and trauma recovery. When the executive team prepared to open Dimensions Algonquin Highlands, a luxury, all-season retreat on Maple Lake in Ontario, they asked me to design a mobile app to help manage the guest experience.
My Design Principles
It’s not just about making it look good!
When I began my career as a designer, I would often hear, “Just make it pretty!”. I’m glad that design has since grown from a nice-to-have into a key part of organizational strategy. As the field has evolved, so have I, continually redefining my own design principles.
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Great design begins with listening. I ask questions and learn from people’s experiences. This collaborative approach builds trust and leads to solutions that truly make a difference.
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With an engineering background, I naturally take a systems-level approach to design, making sure I build for scalability and cross-platform standardization from the start.
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Products and services should be accessible to all. I focus on universal access, making sure experiences are welcoming and functional for the broadest possible audience.
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As a leader, I do more than hands-on work. I use strategic thinking and communication to help my team build influence and navigate uncertainty within the organization.
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As a senior designer, I am committed to training and empowering younger designers, helping them build foundational skills and fostering a culture of respect, ownership and collaboration within the team.