Gisele gained her degree in Graphic Design from the Federal University of Parana (Brazil) and obtained a Masters in Design Strategy and Innovation from Brunel University (UK). Besides the experience as a graphic designer she has worked for design centres in Brazil and the UK. Between 2005 and 2007 she coordinated the EU funded programme SEEdesign – Sharing Experience on Design Support for SMEs.

Gisele is currently undertaking a PhD at UWIC, developing a comparative analysis of strategies for design in different national contexts. Her research is the study of national design policies and the structure of design organisations with an emphasis on models for design support serving the SME sector and economic development.