sobre
about
My name is Giovanna Leone Kuster, and I am an Industrial Designer. Born in Rio de Janeiro - Brazil, I have extensive experience in project management, strategic market studies, and trend analysis. I have developed end-to-end branding and design projects with a focus on innovation, particularly in Brazil.
I believe that good design is meaningful and timeless, promoting quality of life through solutions that adapt to people’s needs over time and in various contexts.
Throughout my career, I have designed for a wide range of markets, including toys, packaging, furniture, and home appliances. Additionally, I have actively worked on trend research, brand management, new design ideation, project management, and agile methodologies. This has empowered me to push boundaries in design, manufacturing, and sustainability within both corporate and consulting environments.
I have visited China more than five times, attending the Canton Fair on multiple occasions, and maintain direct communication with suppliers there, managing production processes and strengthening my global sourcing and logistics approach. These experiences have deepened my understanding of international markets and helped refine my approach to manufacturing and design collaboration.
I have also participated in major trade fairs such as The Inspired Home Show in Chicago, as well as leading fairs in Brazil, including APAS, Abcasa, and Petsa, where I gained valuable insights into consumer behavior, retail trends, and industry innovations.
industrial & CMF designer
innovation lead
global sourcing & private label specialist
trend hunter
Client Relationship & Special Projects
Experienced in managing client interactions, understanding their needs, and delivering tailored solutions.
education
2021 - 2022.2
Fundação Getulio Vargas | Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Business Management with Emphasis on Innovation and Leadership;
Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro | Bacharel of Arts
2016 - 2020
Industrial Design
experience
Grupo Ecoa
2020 - current
Creative Lead - Oikos animal (Pet Category)
Responsible for end-to-end project management for the Oikos Animal brand, overseeing everything from marketing, product development, and photography to commercial strategy, with a focus on developing original product designs.
• Trend analysis, market research, and consumer behavior analysis.
• Development of new products and collections, emphasizing innovation, design, and functionality.
• National and international sourcing of suppliers, maintaining direct and ongoing contact with suppliers, which allows for efficient production management and the implementation of global sourcing solutions.
• Full brand development for Oikos Animal, from marketing and product design to commercial execution, ensuring a cohesive and impactful brand presence.
• Management of business cases for the Oikos Animal brand portfolio.
• Design of Stand projects (PETSA.22).
• Participation in various important fairs, such as ABCASA, the largest home goods fair in Latin America, APAS, the largest food and beverage fair in Latin America, PETSA, dedicated to the pet market.
• Implementation of new management processes in the area, agile methodologies, and virtual collaboration platforms.
Junior Industrial Designer
Responsible for generating ideas through market trends and consumer behavior analysis, developing original product designs with a focus on innovation.
• Trend analysis, market research, and consumer behavior analysis.
• Development of original product lines and collections for home and pet.
• National and international sourcing of suppliers.
• Management of business cases for the Oikos Animal brand portfolio.
• Design of Stand projects (ABCASA.21 and ABUP.21).
• Implementation of virtual collaboration platforms.
Industrial Design Lead - Organization | Household & Cleaning Accessories | Decoration | Pet Category
Responsible for end-to-end project management for the Group's brands, through strategic studies of market trends and consumer behavior, with a focus on developing original product designs.
• Trend analysis, market research, and consumer behavior analysis.
• Development of new products and collections, emphasizing innovation, design, and functionality.
• National and international sourcing of suppliers, with significant experience in the Chinese market.
• Established direct and ongoing contact with factories and suppliers after more than five visits to China, including attending the Canton Fair over two times. This experience allowed for more efficient management of production processes and a deep understanding of the cultural and logistical nuances of this market. It has been key in optimizing manufacturing processes and implementing global sourcing solutions.
• Participation in key trade shows, including ABCASA, the largest home goods fair in Latin America, APAS, the largest food and beverage fair in Latin America, PETSA, dedicated to the pet market, and the Inspired Home Show in Chicago, the largest interior design event in the sector.
• Implementation of new management processes in the department, utilizing agile methodologies and virtual collaboration platforms to enhance productivity and communication.
Industrial Designer
Responsible for generating ideas through strategic market trend studies and consumer behavior analysis, developing original product designs with a focus on innovation.
• Trend analysis, market research, and consumer behavior analysis.
• Planning and development of commercial strategies and social media campaigns.
• Development of original product lines and collections.
• National and international sourcing of suppliers, maintaining continuous contact with global partners to ensure efficient production processes and high-quality sourcing solutions.
• Design of Stand projects (ABUP.2022 - ABCASA.22).
• Implementation of new management processes in the area, utilizing agile methodologies and virtual collaboration platforms to optimize communication and productivity.
Junior Packaging Designer
Responsible for developing original packaging, visual identity projects, and catalogs.
• Trend analysis, market research, and consumer behavior analysis.
• Development of diecuts, communication strategies, and catalogs.
Indio da Costa Licensed A.U.D.T
2019.2 - 2021.1
Industrial Designer Intern
Responsible for ideation and development of design concepts for national and international clients, with a focus on detailing projects in the field of industrial design. Involved in a wide range of projects, from packaging strategies to urban furniture and product design. The work included creating sketches, 3D modeling, prototyping, and high-quality renderings.
Junior Industrial Designer
Responsible for ideation and development of design concepts for national and international clients, with a focus on detailing projects in the field of industrial design. Involved in a wide range of projects, from packaging strategies to urban furniture and product design. The work included creating sketches, 3D modeling, prototyping, and high-quality renderings. Additionally, contributed to the development of products for the Indio da Costa Design line.
LAMP - Labs PUC-RIO
2018 - 2019.1
Tecgraf / PUC-Rio
2017 - 2018
Research Internship
Intern in research and rapid prototyping (Digital Fabrication), focused on innovative solutions through a user-centered approach. Worked with 3D printing, robotic arms, modeling, and other advanced technologies to create functional and interactive prototypes. My role involved trend evaluation, analysis of the customer journey, and market research, always aiming to develop unique and innovative user experiences.
Research Internship
Intern in research and rapid prototyping (Digital Fabrication) at the Volume and Design Prototyping Laboratory at PUC-Rio. Worked with a user-centered approach, evaluating trends, customer journey, and conducting market analysis to create innovative experiences. My experience included 3D modeling, 3D printing, CNC router machine operation, and laser cutting, creating functional and interactive prototypes
hardskills
Adobe - Advanced
Photoshop, Illustrator and Indesign;
Canva - Advanced
Empathy Map, Value Proposition and Business Model;
3D Modeling - Advanced
SolidWorks, Fusion360 and Keyshot;
User Experience - Advanced
Persona, User Journey and Service Blueprint;
Office - Advanced
Excel, Power Point and Word;
Languages - Basic
English and Spanish;
certificates
projects selected
UX Research
CCE - PUC-Rio
Innovation and Leadership
Fundação Getulio Vargas - FGV
Trends in project management
Fundação Getulio Vargas - FGV
Environmental Components ESG
Fundação Getulio Vargas - FGV
Social Components of ESG
Fundação Getulio Vargas - FGV
Governance Components ESG
Fundação Getulio Vargas - FGV
Introduction to ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance)
Fundação Getulio Vargas - FGV
SolidWorks Basic and Advanced
MechWorks Tecnologia
14th PUCrio Design Weekend
Projeto Coleta
13th PUCrio Design Weekend
Project Sobe
12th PUCrio Design Weekend
Project Maraca
Project Mude
I approach the design process from a holistic perspective, always striving for innovative solutions that are sustainable and impactful.