Hello! I am Sophia Ppali. I am a researcher, designer and digital artist from Cyprus.
I am currently a human-computer interaction Ph.D student at the University of Kent, Canterbury. My research explores the design space of remote music performances. Before joining Kent, I graduated from Royal College of Art and Imperial College London with an MA and MSc in Global Innovation Design, conducting design projects specifically on mental health education. I also hold a bachelor's degree in Digital Arts with a year in industry from the university of Kent.
Through my work, I explore how research, design and technology can intersect. I combine in-depth primary research engaging with different stakeholders, and my knowledge in multidisciplinary design has proven to be a catalyst for solving complex problems in a concise and creative way.
When I'm not nerding out about design, you'll probably find me packing my bags and heading off to explore a new place. I've traveled to 37 countries so far, and I'm always on the lookout for new adventures and cultures to immerse myself in. I have also lived, studied and worked in Cyprus, UK, Germany, China and Singapore. These experiences have broadened my perspective and enriched my ability to collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds.
CV |
Google Scholar
Graduate teaching assistant - Digital Design
University of Kent | September 2019 to present
Research Fellow
University of Arts London | December 2020 to August 2022
VR Unity Developer
The Innovation Consultancy | June 2020 to March 2021
Augmented reality research assistant
Metal, University of Kent, University of Essex | November 2019 to September 2020
Animator and Artist
Kings College London, RADAR CNS project | February 2020 to April 2020
Online Design intern
Nintendo of Europe, Germany | September 2015 to September 2016
PhD Digital Arts
University of Kent | September 2019 to present
MSc Global Innovation Design
Imperial College London | September 2017 to July 2019
MA Global Innovation Design
Royal College of Arts | September 2017 to July 2019
Semester abroad
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore | July 2018 to December 2018
Semester abroad
Tsinghua University Beijing | February 2018 to July 2018
BA (hons) Digital Arts with a year in industry
University of Kent | September 2013 to July 2017
Sales Assistant | Catching lives bookshop for povetry alleviation
Canterbury, UK | November 2016 to August 2017 and September 2022 to March 2023
Regular Volunteer | Institute of Mental Health
Singapore | August 2018 - December 2018
KSCV Gold Plus and Platinum Award | 200 hours of volunteering in the community
Canterbury, Kent UK | March 2017
Project 1324 Inspire mental wellness challenge winner
Issued by Project 1324, Born this way foundation | June 2018
BBC Ruby award for Original Digital storytelling
BBC | May 2018
School of Engineering and Digital Arts, Academic Excellence Scholarship
University of Kent | Yearly 2013 - 2017
UI/ UX design
Adobe XD
Figma
Graphic Design and Illustration
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Procreate
InDesign
Adobe Fresco
3D, video and animation
Autodesk Maya
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe After Effects
Substance Painter
Adobe Animate
Adobe Character Animator
Collaboration tools
Miro
Trello
Notion
Game Engines
Unity 3D
Unreal Engine 5
Coding
HTML, CSS
Javascript
C#
English (fluent)
Greek (native)
Adaptable
Open minded
Problem solving
Empathetic
Quick learner
Workshop facilitation
Co-design
Participatory design methods
Teaching and lesson planning