Mission Statement
My mission is to bridge design, industry, and emerging technologies to create business models that deliver sustainable impact and future-ready innovation.
Biography
Jeremy Hugh Aston is an award-winning industrial designer, educator, and researcher with over 30 years of experience across sectors such as electronics, healthcare, transport, construction, and furniture. Born in the UK and now a Portuguese citizen, he works across practice, teaching, and research, connecting design, technology, and society. He is Professor Adjunct and Course Coordinator of the MA in Product Design: Innovation, Furniture, and Mobility at ESAD—College of Art & Design, Matosinhos, and a Researcher at esad—idea. Jeremy is also a Member of the Technical-Scientific Council at ESAD and COO/Treasurer of AIDDEA—Advanced Design Lab. His background includes co-founding Simplidesign (1997–2012) and collaborations with companies such as Grundig, Porto Metro, Simoldes/CEiiA/PSA, and Matglow. He has published books and research, holds a patent (BioMask), and has led numerous international workshops. Guided by the conviction that the fusion of design, social trends, and emerging technologies can redefine the role of designers in industry and society, Jeremy continues to develop collaborative projects that improve products, vehicles, and services for a more sustainable future.
Questionnaire
Where do you want to foster change and why?
I can influence change by connecting design insight with industry needs, helping sectors like transport, healthcare, electronics, and construction adopt resilient business models.
What or who influenced you during your professional career?
Shaped by industry mentors, design heritage, and cross-sector practice, I honour the past while constantly seeking new influences and exploring emerging technologies.
We all have those significant moments or situations (success or failure); which one was yours, and what did you learn from it?
My successes and failures have come through countless design iterations, but my greatest lesson was learning to work with people—how to build strong teams, build trust, navigate challenges, and foster meaningful, effective collaboration.