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Itamar Medeiros
Director of Design Strategy at SAP
Professional Background
Itamar Medeiros is a distinguished professional in the field of design, boasting over 20 years of expertise in user experience (UX) design and management within the information technology industry. Currently residing in Germany, he serves as the Director of Design Strategy at SAP SuccessFactors, where he spearheads the product design vision for the Human Experience Management (HXM) product line. His role entails ensuring cohesive product narratives, documenting strategies with clear guidelines, and setting up best practices as well as strategic principles for the design team. His extensive experience has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of the development and execution of scalable design solutions on a global scale.
Before his role at SAP, Itamar was deeply involved in fostering user experience design excellence while serving as the User Experience Manager at Autodesk for seven years in China. During his tenure, he played a vital role in promoting the User Experience Design discipline, significantly influencing the way design was approached within the organization. He also served as the Local Leader of the Interaction Design Association (IxDA) chapter in Shanghai, contributing to the vibrant community of designers in the region.
In addition to his leadership roles in product and UX design, Itamar has also committed to sharing his knowledge and passion through academia. He has lectured in various design programs across Europe and South America, enhancing the educational landscape by imparting industry-relevant knowledge to emerging designers.
Education and Achievements
Itamar Medeiros's academic journey reflects his dedication to understanding and innovating within the design sphere. He earned his MA in Design Practice from Northumbria University in the United Kingdom, where he impressively received a Distinction Award for his thesis, "Designing the User Experience: Creating Innovative Design Software Solutions within Collaborative/Distributed Design Environments." This achievement underscores his commitment to pushing the boundaries of user experience design.
His educational background also includes a postgraduate diploma in Information Design from Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brazil, where he earned an impressive rating of 85, and a BA in Industrial Design from the same institution. Additionally, Itamar holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from Universidade de Pernambuco, further enhancing his technical proficiency and understanding of design integration with technology.
Itamar’s expertise is not limited to his design and educational qualifications; his influence extends to significant contributions as a juror and mentor in notable international design competitions. He has served on the jury for prestigious events such as the IxDA Interaction Awards in 2016, the Brazilian Graphic Design Association Biennial across multiple editions, and the IxDA Global Student Design Challenge in 2010. These roles reflect his commitment to recognizing and nurturing emerging talent in the design field.
Notable Achievements
With a career that spans various countries and cultures, Itamar Medeiros has made a significant impact in the realm of user experience (UX) design and information design globally. His ability to navigate the intricacies of design into functional and user-centered applications sets him apart as a thought leader in the industry. He has worked with renowned global companies, helping them harness the power of great design to create extraordinary user experiences. Some of the countries he has collaborated with include Brazil, China, Germany, the United States, and many others.
As a board member of the Brazilian Society of Information Design (SBDI), Itamar advocated for improved information design practices, sharing his insights and expertise with peers in the field. His contributions have been instrumental in solidifying the importance of usability and user-centric design within organizations across various sectors.
Additionally, Itamar has held several notable lecturing positions such as Guest Lecturer of Interaction Design at Köln International School of Design, where he shared his extensive knowledge with students eager to enter the field. He has also contributed as a Visiting Lecturer at École de Design Nantes Atlantique in France and LaSalle College in Mexico, shaping future generations of design professionals.
Itamar's impressive track record and versatility in various design and academic roles make him a key figure in advancing design practices and championing user experience as a vital component of successful product development. His passion for creating innovative user experiences continues to inspire both colleagues and aspiring designers worldwide.
