Sofia Teixeira Claudino

I attribute my success to a combination of diverse experiences and a strong foundation in visual storytelling. I began my career in photography, which gave me a trained eye for detail and composition, thanks in large part to my grandmother, who taught me analog photography from an early age. Building on that foundation, I transitioned into the film industry (BA) with a focus on film, cinema, and multimedia. I had always admired concerts and old school stage design, which then led me to further studies. I earned a Master of Fine Arts with a focus on Theater Design and Technical Production from CUNY Brooklyn College in New York. I draw inspiration from a wide range of creative fields, which allows me to approach projects with a fresh and innovative perspective. After the pandemic, I expanded my expertise into immersive experiential work, which has been a significant growth area for me. One of my proudest achievements was collaborating on an immersive show for the NBA, as well as collaborating on the Rare Beauty activation in New York. Hands-on experience has always been critical to my development, and the combination of formal education and practical work continues to shape and elevate the quality of my projects.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is to trust and listen to my inner voice. It’s important to let your intuition guide you rather than relying solely on others’ opinions about what you should do. Following your own career path requires confidence in the decisions you make, even when they might feel uncertain. Staying true to yourself and your goals ultimately leads to the most fulfilling and authentic success.

One of the biggest challenges—and opportunities—in my field right now is the incredibly fast pace of change. Designers today are expected to be multidimensional, often needing proficiency in over 50 different skills. If I were starting my career today, I’d need a much broader skill set than when I began. The reality is that the more you know, the better equipped you are to adapt and innovate. It’s a fast-thinking, fast-moving industry that constantly pushes boundaries, which can be demanding but also exciting because it drives continuous growth and creativity.

Coming from Portugal, I deeply value curiosity and a passion for continuous learning, both in my work and personal life. I’m committed to studying my field thoroughly to stay at the forefront of creativity and innovation. Being open to new ideas and constantly evolving allows me to bring fresh perspectives to my projects while staying true to my roots and personal growth.