Pedro Damas is an Industrial Designer and Design Researcher based in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, working at the intersection of physical product design, research-driven design and bio-inspired design (biomimicry). His work focuses on asking better questions about the future of design and developing products and design systems that balance familiarity, innovation, and meaning. He is particularly interested in how form, structure and materiality communicate usability, emotion and cultural value.
His practice integrates design theory and professional practice, using research as a strategic tool to inform decision-making in industrial design, product innovation, inclusive design and emotional design. Through in-depth investigation of social behavior, user experience and bio-inspired methodologies, he translates abstract concepts into manufacturable and testable products.
Pedro is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Design at the Postgraduate Program in Design at the Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais (UEMG). He holds a Master’s degree in Design (2023) and a Bachelor’s degree in Design (2018) from Centro Universitário de Belo Horizonte. He is a research member of the Design and Social Representations Research Group (CNPq), a DTI-A Researcher at UEMG, and an Industrial Designer at Auper Motorcycles.
Since 2019, Pedro has been working on industrial and product design projects involving electronics, medical devices, health and wellness products, bio-inspired product development and digital fabrication. His background also includes experience in industrial design research, design for health, design and emotion, biomimicry, and studies related to social perception and stigma. Over the past years, he has collaborated with institutions and organizations such as Companhia Elétrica de Minas Gerais (CEMIG), Cruz Vermelha Brasileira, Grupo Ânima Educação, and Defesa Civil de Minas Gerais, contributing to projects that bridge research, industry and social impact.