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.
simplifying healthcare experiences
an award-winning design thesis that reimagines hospital food systems as part of care, using neurodesign, service design, and sustainability frameworks to restore dignity for patients and caregivers.
multi-stakeholder UX
healthcare innovation
emotional design
mixed-methods research
View Work
simplifying healthcare experiences
an award-winning design thesis that reimagines hospital food systems as part of care, using neurodesign, service design, and sustainability frameworks to restore dignity for patients and caregivers.
multi-stakeholder UX
healthcare innovation
emotional design
mixed-methods research
Read Case Study
supporting informed decision-making
designing a psychologically safe, inclusive discovery experience for marginalized players navigating toxic digital spaces.
trust & safety UX
accessibility-first
UX research & testing
information architecture
View Work
supporting informed decision-making
designing a psychologically safe, inclusive discovery experience for marginalized players navigating toxic digital spaces.
trust & safety UX
accessibility-first
UX research & testing
information architecture
Read Case Study
designing for sustainable behavior change
designing food-waste reduction through behavioral nudges, habit formation, and shame-free sustainability.
mobile UX
systems design
sustainable product strategy
View Work
designing for sustainable behavior change
designing food-waste reduction through behavioral nudges, habit formation, and shame-free sustainability.
mobile UX
systems design
sustainable product strategy
Read Case Study
improving information visibility in AI systems
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 Work
improving information visibility in AI systems
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).
AI prototyping
AI prototyping
trust-centered UX
trust-centered UX
emotional design
emotional design
systems thinking
systems thinking
i research first, always.
i research first, always.
the human is always the point.
the human is always the point.
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).
the human behind
the portfolio . . . !
the human behind the portfolio . . . !
i started in neuroscience because i wanted to understand people - how they think, what they feel, why they make the choices they make.
i didn't plan to become a designer. i just kept following the question "why is this so hard for people?" until i ended up here.
i care most about the work that's trying to fix something real. the systems that affect people who didn't get a seat at the table when they were built. the experiences that assume too much, or ask too little, or just never quite see the person on the other end. that's what i'm in this for.
i care most about the work that's trying to fix something real. the systems that affect people who didn't get a seat at the table when they were built. the experiences that assume too much, or ask too little, or just never quite see the person on the other end. that's what i'm in this for.
art history lover
art history lover
look at this lil guy
look at this lil guy
Hi, it's me :)
Hi, it's me :)
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