I am a Peruvian designer and mother whose work explores how toys and objects can foster emotional connection, resilience, and cultural dialogue. Childhood is a recurring inspiration in my practice, not as a limitation, but as a lens to create designs that resonate with people across ages. I hold a Master’s in Design for Kids and Toys from Politecnico di Milano and currently live in Japan, developing projects that merge kawaii aesthetics, storytelling, and prototyping to spark creativity and connection.
Education
- Master in Design for Kids and Toys – Politecnico di Milano, Italy (2023–2025)
Graduation project: Bio Buddies – presented & defended May 2025. - B.A. in Industrial Design – Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Peru (2014–2020)
Projects & Research
- Bio Buddies (2025) – Master’s Graduation Project
Collectible animal toys combining kawaii aesthetics, storytelling, and 3D modeling to connect children emotionally with biodiversity. Prototyped and tested with children in Peru. - Lumigo (2025) – Collaborative Master Project
Solar-powered interactive lamp that helps children express emotions and build resilience. Exhibited at Baby & Toys Milano 2025. My role: sketching, character design, rendering, visual storytelling. - TIPI (2021) – Research Paper, IEEE Publication
TIPI: Social robot that incentives good habits to optimize learning at home for children. Published by IEEE (DOI: 10.1109/SHIRCON53068.2021.9652331). - Independent Toy & Character Design (2024–present)
Development of plush toys, keychains, collectibles, packaging, and brand kits for clients in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and Asia.
Professional Experience
- Senior Service Designer – BBVA Perú (2025–present, Remote from Japan)
- Design Specialist (Freelance) – Upwork (2024–present, Remote)
- Service Experience Designer – Banco de Crédito BCP (2023–2024, Lima, Peru)
- Service Designer Specialist – Rimac Seguros (2022–2023, Lima, Peru)
- UX/UI Designer – Cajalab (2021–2022, Lima, Peru)
- Service Designer – Farmacias Peruanas (2021–2022, Lima, Peru)
- Design Intern – Sala VEO – PUCP (2020–2021, Lima, Peru)
- Samples & Arts Assistant – Cartones del Pacífico SAC (2020, Lima, Peru)
Fellowships & Entrepreneurship
- Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Fellow – U.S. Department of State (2023)
Selected among 280 entrepreneurs across the Americas.- Placement at Sew Loka, a Chicana sewing studio in San Diego, collaborating on community-driven fashion and cultural entrepreneurship.
- Strengthened my own project Accesorios JARA (2018–2023), an independent handbag and accessory brand blending Peruvian craftsmanship and contemporary design.
- Founder – Accesorios JARA (2018–2023)
Designed and produced handbags and accessories, empowering artisans and developing a sustainable brand recognized during YLAI. - Coordinator – Reconecta Perú (2019–2020)
Social reintegration project with incarcerated artisans (ceramics, leather, wood), in collaboration with INPE and PUCP.
Publications & Patent
- Paper: TIPI: Social robot that incentives good habits to optimize learning at home for children. IEEE Xplore, 2021.
- Patent: Wooden Tricycle with chain mechanism, customizable for children (PE 002193-2018).
Awards & Recognition
- YLAI Fellowship, U.S. Department of State (2023).
- Finalist, NASA Space Apps Challenge (2021) – Video game Solaris.
- 1st Prize, Student Innovation Contest – PUCP (2021)10th & 9th University Social Responsibility Contests, PUCP
- Honorable Mention, Themis PUCP (2019). 3rd Place, Centennial Mural Contest – PUCP .
Focus Areas
Toy & Object Design · Character Design · 3D Modeling & Prototyping · Illustration · Visual Storytelling · Childhood Research · Service & Strategic Design
Norma Jara 