MARIA HABERNY

I am a product and concept designer fascinated by the ways nature, people, and culture inspire design. Over the past decade, I’ve had the chance to work in different countries and on diverse projects — from concept and interface design at Volkswagen AG in Germany, to yacht and product design in Italy and the UK.

My work is deeply influenced by biomimicry — observing how nature solves complex problems and translating those strategies into creative, functional, and sustainable solutions. I enjoy exploring how design can respond to real human needs while respecting the environment.

I also teach design, sharing my experience with students and helping them discover their own creative paths. Alongside my teaching, I am pursuing a PhD, investigating how inspiration shapes the way we design.

Traveling, meeting new people, and experiencing different cultures constantly feed my imagination. I am particularly drawn to Africa, its landscapes, communities, and rhythms, which continue to shape my approach to design and life.

Whether in my projects or in the classroom, I aim to connect people, technology, and nature, creating designs that are innovative, meaningful, and human-centered — design that makes sense in the real world and resonates with the people who use it.