Hi, I’m Helena
(but feel free to call me Cucas)!
I’m a Portuguese UI Designer based between Porto and Barcelona, creating meaningful, user-friendly digital experiences that blend artistry with intuitive design.
My journey into design began with a deep love for art and storytelling, nurtured in my hometown of Porto, Portugal.
Encouraged by my mother, an urbanist architect, I grew up with a creative outlook on the world. This foundation, coupled with my early passion for drawing, painting, and graphic design, set me on a path to designing interfaces that unite beauty with functionality.
I started my career in graphic design, collaborating with cultural and musical organisations, before specialising in digital design in 2020 through a UX/UI course. Shortly after, I moved to Barcelona to pursue a Master’s in Digital User Experience Design at BAU—an experience that shaped not only my skills, but also my resilience, adaptability, and perspective.
Today, I work between Porto and Barcelona, staying connected to both cities and their creative communities. I’m involved in initiatives such as Friends of Figma and Ladies That UX, where I contribute to fostering more inclusive and collaborative spaces within design.
Outside of work, I continue to draw inspiration from art, music, cinema, and literature, elements that reinforce my belief in storytelling as a powerful way to connect with people, whether through digital experiences or other creative forms.
Let’s create something beautiful together!
Experience
2026 - Current
Community Co-Organizer
Friends of Figma Porto, Portugal
2019 - Current
UX/UI & Communication Design
Freelance, Remote
2025 - 2026
UX/UI Designer
Centiment, USA
2023 - 2024
UX/UI Designer
Ecler, Barcelona, Spain
Education
2024
Design Thinking Foundations Workshop
EDIT.- Disruptive Digital Education
2022 - 2023
Master's Degree in Digital Experience Design
BAU, Centre Universitari d'Arts i Disseny
2020
User Experience & User Interface Design Course
EDIT. - Disruptive Digital Education
2013 - 2016
Bachelor Degree in Graphic Design
Escola Superior de Artes e Design
Other Achivements
Masterclass on Product Team Processes
Invited to lead a day-long masterclass on processes in a product team, sharing insights on UX and collaborative design practices.
See More
UX Mentor at Uxcel
Providing project guidance and feedback to aspiring UX designers on the Uxcel platform.
See Profile
FoF BCN - Icon Pack
Contributed to icon pack creation with the Friends of Figma Barcelona community, project led by Felipe Cardona.
View Pack
Hi, I’m Helena
(but feel free to call me Cucas)!
I’m a Portuguese UI Designer based between Porto and Barcelona, creating meaningful, user-friendly digital experiences that blend artistry with intuitive design.
My journey into design began with a deep love for art and storytelling, nurtured in my hometown of Porto, Portugal.
Encouraged by my mother, an urbanist architect, I grew up with a creative outlook on the world. This foundation, coupled with my early passion for drawing, painting, and graphic design, set me on a path to designing interfaces that unite beauty with functionality.
I started my career in graphic design, collaborating with cultural and musical organisations, before specialising in digital design in 2020 through a UX/UI course. Shortly after, I moved to Barcelona to pursue a Master’s in Digital User Experience Design at BAU—an experience that shaped not only my skills, but also my resilience, adaptability, and perspective.
Today, I work between Porto and Barcelona, staying connected to both cities and their creative communities. I’m involved in initiatives such as Friends of Figma and Ladies That UX, where I contribute to fostering more inclusive and collaborative spaces within design.
Outside of work, I continue to draw inspiration from art, music, cinema, and literature, elements that reinforce my belief in storytelling as a powerful way to connect with people, whether through digital experiences or other creative forms.
Let’s create something beautiful together!
Experience
2026 - Current
Community Co-Organizer
Friends of Figma Porto, Portugal
2019 - Current
UX/UI & Communication Design
Freelance, Remote
2025 - 2026
UX/UI Designer
Centiment, USA
2023 - 2024
UX/UI Designer
Ecler, Barcelona, Spain
Education
2024
Design Thinking Foundations Workshop
EDIT.- Disruptive Digital Education
2022 - 2023
Master's Degree in Digital Experience Design
BAU, Centre Universitari d'Arts i Disseny
2020
User Experience & User Interface Design Course
EDIT. - Disruptive Digital Education
2013 - 2016
Bachelor Degree in Graphic Design
Escola Superior de Artes e Design
Other Achivements
Masterclass on Product Team Processes
Invited to lead a day-long masterclass on processes in a product team, sharing insights on UX and collaborative design practices.
See More
UX Mentor at Uxcel
Providing project guidance and feedback to aspiring UX designers on the Uxcel platform.
See Profile
FoF BCN - Icon Pack
Contributed to icon pack creation with the Friends of Figma Barcelona community, project led by Felipe Cardona.
View Pack
Hi, I’m Helena
(but feel free to call me Cucas)!
I’m a Portuguese UI Designer based between Porto and Barcelona, creating meaningful, user-friendly digital experiences that blend artistry with intuitive design.
My journey into design began with a deep love for art and storytelling, nurtured in my hometown of Porto, Portugal.
Encouraged by my mother, an urbanist architect, I grew up with a creative outlook on the world. This foundation, coupled with my early passion for drawing, painting, and graphic design, set me on a path to designing interfaces that unite beauty with functionality.
I started my career in graphic design, collaborating with cultural and musical organisations, before specialising in digital design in 2020 through a UX/UI course. Shortly after, I moved to Barcelona to pursue a Master’s in Digital User Experience Design at BAU—an experience that shaped not only my skills, but also my resilience, adaptability, and perspective.
Today, I work between Porto and Barcelona, staying connected to both cities and their creative communities. I’m involved in initiatives such as Friends of Figma and Ladies That UX, where I contribute to fostering more inclusive and collaborative spaces within design.
Outside of work, I continue to draw inspiration from art, music, cinema, and literature, elements that reinforce my belief in storytelling as a powerful way to connect with people, whether through digital experiences or other creative forms.
Let’s create something beautiful together!
Experience
2026 - Current
Community Co-Organizer
Friends of Figma Porto, Portugal
2019 - Current
UX/UI & Communication Design
Freelance, Remote
2025 - 2026
UX/UI Designer
Centiment, USA
2023 - 2024
UX/UI Designer
Ecler, Barcelona, Spain
Education
2024
Design Thinking Foundations Workshop
EDIT.- Disruptive Digital Education
2022 - 2023
Master's Degree in Digital Experience Design
BAU, Centre Universitari d'Arts i Disseny
2020
User Experience & User Interface Design Course
EDIT. - Disruptive Digital Education
2013 - 2016
Bachelor Degree in Graphic Design
Escola Superior de Artes e Design
Other Achivements
Masterclass on Product Team Processes
Invited to lead a day-long masterclass on processes in a product team, sharing insights on UX and collaborative design practices.
See More
UX Mentor at Uxcel
Providing project guidance and feedback to aspiring UX designers on the Uxcel platform.
See Profile
FoF BCN - Icon Pack
Contributed to icon pack creation with the Friends of Figma Barcelona community, project led by Felipe Cardona.
View Pack