My journey (so far)

Who is Matteo?

As a child, curiosity sparked my creativity, leading me to build objects with almost anything I found around me.

Driven by a passion for understanding how things work and designing to delight people, my curiosity for creativity led me to pursue a Master's in Architecture.

After a year in consulting, I felt a strong urge to delve into User Experience Design, specifically researching how might we design inclusive and age-friendly environments for people with different abilities.

I secured a scholarship for a European Ph.D. in UX Design, studying at the University of Genova (🇮🇹) and Loughborough University (🇬🇧).

Upon recognizing the importance of designing for people and with people, I moved to Ireland, working as a postdoc research fellow on Human-Centered Assistive Technology at Technological University Dublin (🇮🇪).

Intrigued by technology and entrepreneurship, I founded the startup Déan Design Lab, focused on creating human-centered products like the award-winning smart bicycle light TAILT and the multipurpose device HANDY.

In 2018 I ventured to Stanford University (🇺🇸) as a Fulbright research fellow, where I discovered a wealth of opportunities in Silicon Valley.

Later in 2020 I joined the University of Cambridge (🇬🇧) as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie senior research fellow where I researched how to help designers to create environments that guarantee inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility and created the IDEA Toolkit, a tool to boost evidence-based inclusive design for AEC industry professionals.

In my journey, I consulted for companies like Amazon, Capgemini, ISO, Plug & Play Tech Center, Motionspot and in 2022, fascinated by technology, I joined Autodesk as a Senior UX Researcher where I blend scientific rigor with creative thinking to empower teams with evidence-based inclusive opportunities to tackle the wicked challenges of the AEC industry.

I strongly believe that evidence-based design is crucial for crafting inclusive, ethical products, and technologies that enhance human abilities.

🛠️ What I do

I understand people's needs through rigorous research, blending qualitative + quantitative methods, and creative thinking.
I discover insights to help design the strategy, visualize, and prototype futuristic, inclusive, and ethical solutions.
I create design requirements, best practices, guidelines, and policies through technical writing, reviewing, and reporting.
I connect with individuals, inspire people, and advocate for the creation of more inclusive and ethical designs.

👐 My dedication to society

NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland) Chairman for the development of the ISO standard on Universal Design.
Chair and board member at the AHFE International Conference.
Expert member for international committees and advisory boards (NSAI, EIP on AHA, TN SHAFE, Sirene Expert Hub).
Expert reviewer for several conferences, editorial journals and international bodies (Fulbright-Schuman, IJACDT journal).
Mentor and coach (Plug and Play Tech Center, Open IDEO, Lead The Future, SAGE Global Challenge).

🏆 My recognitions

Virtual Mobility Grant - EU COST Action CA19136 - link.
ISO Research Grant 2021 - link.
Best Paper award at the International Conference AHFE 21 - link.
14th International Design Awards - Silver Award for HANDY and TAILT.
Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship - European Commission - link.
Fulbright fellowship - U.S.A. Government - link.
Future Leading Lights Award from the Irish Road Safety Authority - Ireland - link.
Enterprise Ireland Innovation Voucher - Ireland.
Emerging Scholar Award, Conference on Design Principles and Practices – George Brown College, Toronto - Canada.
National Health Informatics Society of Ireland award - Ireland.
First prize, National Italian Award “ETIC” from AICA and Rotary International - Italy - link.
First prize, Best Innovative Research Idea, at the Fifth Italian Conference on Ambient Assisted Living - Italy.