About me
My name is Cala (she/her).
Yes, that is my name. It´s based of this flower.
I´m from Santiago, Chile.
Currently based in London, UK.
I am a service designer that has led the creation of innovative design solutions in public service, private consultancy, and academic research contexts, always applying design methods to preserve the creative drive of an idea. As a systemic thinker, I look for connections between disparate areas and create narratives that bring value and meaning to diverse projects. I like to look at design as a phenomenological and compassionate practice that is able to transform, and am keen to work in projects that have a policy impact that can last.
I'm also a photographer, inherited craft from my very talented mom who introduced me to this art from a very young age. I would say I'm kind of a purist, I enjoy black and white film the most, and I consider the processing of film part of the narrative of an image.
Education
Service Design MA at Royal College or Art (2023)
Environmental Management Diploma at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. (2021)
History of Art Minor at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. (2020)
BA in Strategic Design (2016-2021) [Bachelors degrees in Chile last 5 years]. Winner of the School of Design Award.
Publications
"Multilevel Information Delivery Strategy (MIDS): A strategic design based model and method for equitable access to environmental information." Katherine Mollenhauer, Cala Del Rio, Javiera Rodriguez, Kay Bergamini, Vanessa Rugiero, José Ignacio Medina (2024) Access here
"How to build resilient communities?: The Chilean Environmental Observatory (OA) as an interdisciplinary research case driven by systemic design to empower through information." Katherine Mollenhauer, Cala Del Río, Javiera Rodríguez, Karen Silva and Vanessa Rugiero (2023) Access here
"Logical Design Matrix (LDM): How to operationalize systemic projectual design thinking in complex contexts." Katherine Mollenhauer, Cala del Río, Javiera Rodriguez, Daniela Bianchi and Sara Riveros (2023) Access here
"DISTRIBUTED INNOVATION SYSTEM: Using Platforms, Toolkits and Strategic Design Guidelines " Katherine Mollenhauer, Tomás Vivanco, Martín Tironi, Gerardo Pérez, Sara Riveros, Cala del Río, Esteban Millar (2023) Access here [Available in English, Spanish and Portugese]
Participation in chapters 2, 3 & 5 of book "Territorios del Mañana: Modelos predictivos de capacidad de carga para la gestión sustentable de los territorios" Buy book here
"Design as a Driver for Multidisciplinary Teams: An Applied Research Case in El Quisco, Chile" Culagovski & Del Río (2022) Access here
Facilitation in open spaces
Workshop facilitation
Organizational facilitation
Workshop facilitation
Tools and methods
Workshop facilitation
Workshop facilitation
Presenting
