II bring a playful, craft-first mindset to tech, shaped by my background in graphic design and the years I spent running my own boutique studio. That visual foundation keeps my product work tuned into culture, grounded in visual craft, and designed for real human behavior.

Right now, I’m shaping the homepage and navigation experience for Europe’s largest fashion platform. My focus is turning Zalando's massive, complex assortment into clear, intuitive, and joyful discovery journeys across web and app. I’m just as happy building quick, messy prototypes as I am using design strategy to guide major business decisions. 

At work (as in life) I stay curious, pay attention to small details, and adapt quickly. I still firmly believe that the best design solutions don't come from staring at Figma all day, but from stepping away from the screen and truly listening.


When I’m not working you’ll find me hanging out with my dog in Berlin, attempting a complex Ottolenghi recipe or helping friends bringing their ideas to life.

Check out my Graphic Design work, too.


© 2026 Manuela dos Santos
Brewed in Berlin, mit Liebe gemacht.