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Who is Katia?

I´m Katia Espinoza¨

Creativity has always been a part of me. Since I can remember, I’ve been making things with my hands. That’s why fate and my own decisions led me to industrial design, which has provided me with great skills and challenges over the years. However, I’ve realized that I find myself more drawn to things related to textiles, so when I first saw a poster of FABRICADEMY, my eyes lit up. Once again, fate led me to learn more about the course through the projects I saw at the exhibition; that sparked my curiosity and made me see it as a place full of possibilities. I was so excited that it was the first thing I added to my vision board, because I want to learn more about the world of textiles and fashion, and how to combine them with technologies and explore how industrial design can connect with one more of my passions.

I make decisions with my head
Fuel of my creativity: contemplation
I spend more time exploring new environments
My ideas come alive when I speak them aloud
Attention to function and people
My creative world is a bustling city
I focus on imagining something new
I’m best known by quoting lines from movies
Addicted to hiking in the mountains
Singing makes me feel alive

A little taste of what I´ve done

Interest

I decided to add a collage of all of my references based on my topic of interest

describe what you see in this image — centered image with credits/reference

michellevossen_maiahirschlabkarinabondlondonvisualatelier8roussingirlnaz.por.naz

Embracing my first steps¶

During my first years in college, the way I learned changed. I stopped spending most of my time in the classroom and started developing my skills in the workshop, doing what I love: making things.

It certainly wasn’t an easy path...I went from being a student to becoming a carpenter, blacksmith, draftsman, and seamstress—but that’s what we do, isn’t it?

That’s why I love industrial design—it suits me, the way I am, the way I can’t sit still; I like to keep learning new things and not limit myself to just one.

Now then, let’s get started!!!

Cheese board & REKA chair¶

NEC Shelf¶

A gift for my mother, inspired by her initials N, E, C—featuring a modern design made of plywood to hold her favorite plants.

DHAMAN Collection¶

This collection of backpacks is one of my greatest achievements. It was an eco-design project that used recycled materials—such as denim and textured vinyl—that were easily accessible.

The brand is called Dhaman, which means “guarantee,” and it’s designed for everyone, featuring a unisex design, a large size, and specialized pockets.

Katia Ride¶

This is one of the old bikes I had at home. I decided to use it for my project and recycle some parts to rebuild the frame and give it my own touch: the purple.

AMFORA¶

And there was light! inspired by fractals and mid-century style Amfora was my first project that combined mechanisms, electricity, and ceramics all in one. In fact, Raul Babineswas one of my mentors who helped me create this piece. It was the first time I learned about circuits and how to turn on a light bulb—for many, it might seem like the easiest thing in the world, but for me, it was a very important part of my formation.

The sewing machine¶

A long time ago, my mom bought a sewing machine for herself; however, it was modern and worked differently from the ones back then. So I had to learn how to use it first so I could teach my mom. From then on, the machine became a tool for me to make anything I wanted—I hadn’t done anything beyond altering clothes that were too big for me. That is, until I decided to make myself a stuffed animal. As a fan of the movie Coraline, I made the squid plush. I bought some chalk and started drawing my patterns on paper, then put the stuffed animal together by eye. Later, I found a couple of leather scraps among my mom’s things—leftovers from her old jacket. When I saw them, the first thing that came to mind was a skirt. It didn’t take me a second longer to grab the thread and start sewing as I went along. It was a challenge because the machine isn’t designed for leather; I had to glue some pieces together and sew others. The goal was to wear it on New Year’s Eve, so I had to hurry. I finally managed to finish it, and every time I wear it, I can’t resist showing off the first garment I’ve ever made myself.

Places that change my life

Guatemala

Chiapas

In the summer of 2025, I traveled to Guatemala as part of a textile design exchange program to learn how to use a waist loom, dye with indigo, create marbled fabric, and master various Latin American embroidery techniques, such as ñanditu. This place made me see textiles from a different perspective—from the people’s point of view; I realized that textiles, in all their forms, bring people together, and I loved that. It also made me view industrial design from a more human perspective.

Chiapas In the summer of 2026, I traveled to Chiapas, where I spent two months living with Tseltal women from different communities in Ocosingo. There, I learned everything from scratch about 3D printing, from repairing machines to printing parts. I also recognized the women’s strength and their great ability to get by. I trained them in 3D printing, and I learned along the way as well. I was with an organization called IXIM A.C. This is also one of the reasons why I’m here. To learn and share what I’ve learned with these groups.

Pixac¶

Pixac is one of the projects that has reflected the change I’ve experienced in my life, how I shifted my focus from objects to people and began to get involved in social projects.

Pixac is a protective suit for prickly pear harvesters; prickly pears have something called glochids—these tiny spines that stick into the workers’ skin.

We also developed a magazine so they could build their own protective gear at home.* Pixac magazine

IBERO Puebla: IBERO Puebla Talents Support Prickly Pear Farmers in Puebla with Sustainable Safety Equipment

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