welcome ~~
i'm summer chaves,
welcome ~~
i'm summer chaves,
welcome ~~
i'm summer chaves,
trained in neuroscience,
i design emotionally intelligent systems at the intersection of aesthetics, research and human behavior.
explore featured work below ~~
explore featured work below ~~
research-led design for systems that shape how people think, feel, and decide.
healing patient & planet
a systems-level redesign of hospital food infrastructure, balancing patient dignity, staff workflows, sustainability, and policy constraints.
multi-stakeholder UX
healthcare innovation
emotional design
operational strategy
View Project
healing patient & planet
a systems-level redesign of hospital food infrastructure, balancing patient dignity, staff workflows, sustainability, and policy constraints.
multi-stakeholder UX
healthcare innovation
emotional design
operational strategy
View Project
healing patient & planet
a systems-level redesign of hospital food infrastructure, balancing patient dignity, staff workflows, sustainability, and policy constraints.
multi-stakeholder UX
healthcare innovation
emotional design
operational strategy
Read Case Study
joystick
designing a psychologically safe, inclusive discovery experience for marginalized players navigating toxic digital spaces.
trust & safety UX
accessibility-first design
UX research & testing
View Project
joystick
designing a psychologically safe, inclusive discovery experience for marginalized players navigating toxic digital spaces.
trust & safety UX
accessibility-first design
UX research & testing
View Project
joystick
designing a psychologically safe, inclusive discovery experience for marginalized players navigating toxic digital spaces.
trust & safety UX
accessibility-first design
UX research & testing
Read Case Study
sustainabite
designing food-waste reduction through behavioral nudges, habit formation, and shame-free sustainability.
mobile UX
systems design
sustainable product strategy
View Project
sustainabite
designing food-waste reduction through behavioral nudges, habit formation, and shame-free sustainability.
mobile UX
systems design
sustainable product strategy
View Project
sustainabite
designing food-waste reduction through behavioral nudges, habit formation, and shame-free sustainability.
mobile UX
systems design
sustainable product strategy
Read Case Study
designing for AI visability
exploring how algorithmic systems shape democratic participation, access to information, and public trust.
Tech for Campaigns
AI evaluation framework
information architecture
civic tech research
View Project
designing for AI visability
exploring how algorithmic systems shape democratic participation, access to information, and public trust.
Tech for Campaigns
AI evaluation framework
information architecture
civic tech research
View Project
designing for AI visability
exploring how algorithmic systems shape democratic participation, access to information, and public trust.
Tech for Campaigns
AI evaluation framework
information architecture
civic tech research
Read Case Study
~~ my fav tools to work with ~~
~~ my fav tools to work with ~~
these projects didn’t just appear out of nowhere.
they help me research, think, design, prototype (and occasionally fix my mistakes).
the human behind
the portfolio . . . !
the human behind the portfolio . . . !
i started in neuroscience because I wanted to understand people. how we think, make decisions, and how environment shapes behavior. eventually I realized I didn’t just want to study systems. i wanted to change them.
that’s how I found design.
now I work on designs for complex systems, especially the ones people don’t get to opt out of - and try to make them clearer, calmer, and more humane. I use research, behavior, and visual systems to reduce confusion, increase trust, and help people feel more in control of their decisions.
i believe systems should be humane, not just efficient.
i believe clarity is a form of kindness.
and I believe design should improve real lives, not just screens.
now I work on designs for complex systems, especially the ones people don’t get to opt out of - and try to make them clearer, calmer, and more humane. I use research, behavior, and visual systems to reduce confusion, increase trust, and help people feel more in control of their decisions.
i believe systems should be humane, not just efficient.
i believe clarity is a form of kindness.
and I believe design should improve real lives, not just screens.
art history lover
art history lover
look at this lil guy
look at this lil guy
Hi, it's me :)
Hi, it's me :)
AI prototyping
AI prototyping
trust-centered UX
trust-centered UX
emotional design
emotional design
systems thinking
systems thinking
product design
product design
thoughtful details
thoughtful details
research rabbitholes
research rabbitholes
research rabbitholes
behaviorial design
behaviorial design
calm in complexity
calm in complexity
what you'll find across my work . . . !
(yes, this is quite the unique intersection).
FAQs
yay, you reached the bottom!
got any questions?
So… what kind of designer are you actually?
Why does your portfolio talk about systems so much?
What kinds of problems do you like working on?
Why should we hire you?
If you weren’t a designer, what would you be doing?
i'd love to connect with you . . . !
i'm all ears!
(and brain, and heart, and probably other body parts…)
i'd love to connect with you . . . !
i'm all ears!
(and brain, and heart, and probably other body parts…)
i'd love to connect with you . . . !
i'm all ears!
(and brain, and heart, and probably other body parts…)
don't be a stranger . . . !
@ 2025 by summer chaves
don't be a stranger . . . !
@ 2025 by summer chaves
don't be a stranger . . . !
@ 2025 by summer chaves