TEAM
The LABORATÓRIO DE DESIGN AVANÇADO team is an active force both locally and internationally, with a wealth of experience spanning industry, academia and research. Its members bring extensive knowledge in areas such as automotive, transportation, product design, business and marketing, creating a multidisciplinary basis for innovation.
The team is comprised of industrial designers, engineers, researchers and educators who collectively provide a holistic perspective on complex challenges and emerging opportunities.
Drawing on their diverse backgrounds, the team combines creative design methodologies with technical rigor and strategic thinking to meet a broad spectrum of needs. From reinventing mobility solutions to creating innovative business models, the researchers at LABORATÓRIO DE DESIGN AVANÇADO contribute a wealth of knowledge and experience.
Their active involvement in research, academic teaching and industry projects ensures they remain at the forefront of cutting-edge trends, fostering meaningful connections between design, engineering and market demands. This collective expertise enables LABORATÓRIO DE DESIGN AVANÇADO to foster impactful collaborations and deliver transformative solutions across a variety of industries.
To join the team or learn more about careers and opportunities at LABORATÓRIO DE DESIGN AVANÇADO, please contact info@aiddea-lda.pt
JOÃO ORNELAS | President
BSc, Transportation Design, ArtCenter College of Design Europe (CH) + BFA, Drawing, ESAP - (P).
Responsible for industrial design and product development at LABORATÓRIO DE DESIGN AVANÇADO, with special focus on transportation and advanced robotics.
With over 30 years of international experience in automotive and industrial design, and more than a dozen international design awards, he has designed over 200 products and vehicles sold globally. Started his career at Renault (France), where he designed the Pangea concept-car, was an industrial designer at Novodesign, motorcycle design consultant for Piaggio (Italy) and Bajaj (India), and managing director of Grandesign.
GONÇALO DE SÁ | Vice-President
PhD in Chemistry by the School of Science and Technology of the University of Coimbra (P).
Responsible for financial control, setting up R&D projects with associates, partners and clients, and connecting LABORATÓRIO DE DESIGN AVANÇADO with the academic scientific research environment.
With several international awards in technology, and over 15 years of experience in entrepreneurship, business and project management, connection with investors and execution of scientific projects funded by the EU, with several investment rounds secured both in Portugal and internationally.
NUNO SILVA | Vice-President
Multi-disciplinary scientist with experience leading worldwide teams in various disciplines including sustainable energy programs, integrated water strategies & biosensors. Previously CSO on the executive committee at an award winning smart technology company. Formerly a Director at Tate & Lyle, Technical Director at CEIIA and multiple innovation and R&D leadership roles in the defence & agro-industrial sectors. Former Assistant Professor in AI and Industrial Automation.
His role at LABORATÓRIO DE DESIGN AVANÇADO is to drive ideation and lead delivery for the creation of high quality and scalable innovative products, services and solutions that can be made available to associates and partners, working with the management team to shape the strategy of LABORATÓRIO DE DESIGN AVANÇADO.
JEREMY ASTON | Treasurer
Industrial Design Specialist, Porto Polytechnic (P), Masters in Vehicle Design, Royal College of Art (UK).
Course Director for Product Design at ESAD College of Art and Design (P).
Responsible for training and coaching programs at LABORATÓRIO DE DESIGN AVANÇADO, with special focus on product and mobility design.
Award-winning designer with a multidisciplinary approach to his practice, teaching and research, with more than two decades of professional experience in various industrial sectors: construction, electronics, textiles and transport. Has participated in design research publications and research projects with Project International Collective for Design (Erasmus+, 2019/2023), iSea Science Communication R+D Project (FCT, 2020), The Car as a Transformer (IHSI 2020, Springer), Porto Metro (2017/2019), FACS Future Automotive Cockpit & Storage (PSA/Simoldes/2020 PT funding, 2017/2020).
