Hi, I'm Diego
Full-Stack Designer
I design and build digital products for governments, media, and international organizations. Bringing strategic vision, design craft, and technical execution to complex challenges.
Based in Montevideo, Uruguay
About me
Twenty years bridging strategy, design, and development
Hi, I'm Diego Cataldo. I'm a Uruguayan he/him living in Montevideo, Uruguay. Visuals and code are the mediums through which I express myself.
You can call me a Designer if you want, but I see myself as something more fluid—a hybrid of creator, strategist, and builder. My journey began with graphic design, morphed into crafting physical interfaces for musical instruments, and led me to code my way into digital experiences.
I've shaped design systems for government agencies, mentored aspiring designers at Uruguay's top design school, and brought structure to chaos in fintech products. Whether it's defining a product's soul or digging into the technical guts, I thrive on crossing boundaries.
When I'm not designing, I'm exploring the interplay of art and tech: creative coding, screen printing, or dreaming up visual worlds. I believe great design lives at the messy intersection of logic and feeling—and that's where I do my best work.
I hold a degree in Graphic Design and began my career in advertising, working in art direction for audiovisual projects. During those years, I developed a strong foundation in branding, which later became the bridge to product design. That transition started at a design studio collaborating with a musical instrument company specialized in synthesizers. There, I designed the physical interfaces of the instruments, an experience that sparked my interest in product design and interaction. As the work evolved, I also began designing landing pages for these products, which led me to explore how things worked beneath the surface. I started working hands-on with ActionScript, HTML, and CSS, gradually becoming a designer capable of owning projects end to end, from concept and planning to implementation.
My journey then moved into the public sector, where I worked as a consultant for several leading government agencies in Uruguay, including a ten-year collaboration with the National Agency for Research and Innovation (ANII). In this role, I helped define the agency’s product design strategy, built a comprehensive design system, and led the design of key state digital platforms that are still in use today. This work positioned me as an early driver of product design practices at a state level in Uruguay.
Alongside my professional practice, I spent over ten years as a professor in the Design and Visual Communication program at the University of the Republic. I mentored hundreds of students on their final projects, guiding them through the full process, from strategic thinking to final execution. Teaching deeply influenced my approach to leadership, critical thinking, and the evaluation of complex design decisions.
More recently, I've expanded my work internationally, collaborating with U.S. based fintech companies, global organizations like UNESCO, and international institutions such as the Inter-American Development Bank. Across these projects, I’ve led end-to-end design initiatives, from strategy and design systems to frontend implementation, embedding design into complex organizational contexts and helping build digital products for diverse, global audiences.
Featured experience
Product Design & Development Consultant
UNESCO-IOC / Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)
2025 - PresentLed the design and development of the Interactive Ocean Observing Report Card for UNESCO-IOC's Global Ocean Observing System. Designed a comprehensive design system in Figma and developed a React-based web platform featuring interactive data visualizations, monitoring network cards with KPIs, and oceanographic data displays. Delivered complete component documentation through Storybook.
Product Design & Development Consultant
UNESCO-IOC / Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)
Led the design and development of the Interactive Ocean Observing Report Card for UNESCO-IOC's Global Ocean Observing System. Designed a comprehensive design system in Figma and developed a React-based web platform featuring interactive data visualizations, monitoring network cards with KPIs, and oceanographic data displays. Delivered complete component documentation through Storybook.
Lead Product Designer
ClassWallet
2023 - PresentSenior Product Designer at ClassWallet, a U.S.-based fintech focused on education financing. My responsibilities include defining product strategy, designing complex user flows, and developing a cohesive design system aligned with company goals. I collaborate closely with internal product and engineering teams to ensure consistency, accessibility, and scalability across the platform.
Lead Product Designer
ClassWallet
Senior Product Designer at ClassWallet, a U.S.-based fintech focused on education financing. My responsibilities include defining product strategy, designing complex user flows, and developing a cohesive design system aligned with company goals. I collaborate closely with internal product and engineering teams to ensure consistency, accessibility, and scalability across the platform.
UX Lead for Uruguay
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
2022 - PresentServed as UX lead for the Inter-American Development Bank's digital transformation initiatives in Uruguay. Provided specialized consulting on usability and design strategy for public sector digital platforms, ensuring alignment with international standards and institutional impact objectives.
UX Lead for Uruguay
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
Served as UX lead for the Inter-American Development Bank's digital transformation initiatives in Uruguay. Provided specialized consulting on usability and design strategy for public sector digital platforms, ensuring alignment with international standards and institutional impact objectives.
Senior UX Consultant
National Agency for Research and Innovation (ANII)
2014 - 2023For nearly a decade, I was a key UX consultant for ANII, Uruguay's national innovation agency. Led the redesign of their digital ecosystem, developing their design system and improving usability of public-facing platforms. My work focused on accessibility, interface consistency, and human-centered improvements to promote transparency and participation in innovation funding processes.
Senior UX Consultant
National Agency for Research and Innovation (ANII)
For nearly a decade, I was a key UX consultant for ANII, Uruguay's national innovation agency. Led the redesign of their digital ecosystem, developing their design system and improving usability of public-facing platforms. My work focused on accessibility, interface consistency, and human-centered improvements to promote transparency and participation in innovation funding processes.
Associate Professor
FADU, University of the Republic
2013 - 2023Mentored students in developing complex design challenges, participated in final evaluation panels, and contributed to academic and interdisciplinary research focused on innovation, communication, and design practice.
Associate Professor
FADU, University of the Republic
Mentored students in developing complex design challenges, participated in final evaluation panels, and contributed to academic and interdisciplinary research focused on innovation, communication, and design practice.
Selected projects
SBDG Platform
Designed an app for a publicly traded holding company, streamlining operational workflows and supporting strategic acquisition decisions.
National Agency for Research and Innovation
Built Uruguay's first government design system, creating scalable digital platforms that transformed how citizens access innovation funding and research programs.
UNESCO Ocean Observing Report Card
Designed and developed an interactive platform for ocean observing data, creating a design system and React-based data visualization tools for global monitoring networks.
US Fintech Platform
Led UX transformation for an education finance platform, building a comprehensive design system and optimizing complex workflows for thousands of users.
Brecha Weekly Redesign
Led the digital transformation of Uruguay's leading independent media outlet, designing a mobile-first platform that improved user engagement and retention.
Monitor Cannabis
Created the identity and digital platform for Uruguay's cannabis policy monitoring initiative, facilitating knowledge exchange between stakeholders.
Services
Strategy & Research
Conducting user research and market analysis to inform design decisions. Developing product roadmaps and user journeys aligned with business goals.
UX/UI Design
Designing wireframes, prototypes, and user flows. Crafting accessible interfaces and building scalable design systems in Figma and Sketch.
Development
Translating designs into responsive, accessible code using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Working with modern frameworks like React to implement optimized solutions.
Collaboration
Working closely with developers, product managers, and stakeholders. Facilitating workshops and presentations to align teams on design goals and solutions.
Accessibility
Ensuring WCAG compliance to create inclusive experiences for everyone. Advocating for accessibility best practices throughout the design and development process.
Tools & Technology
Proficient in Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, and Storybook. Experienced with design handoff tools and modern development frameworks.
Professional references
Laura Stukonytė
Communications specialist at IOC of UNESCO / Global Ocean Observing System
Worked together on:
Design and development of the Interactive Ocean Observing Report Card, including a scalable design system in Figma and a React-based platform with interactive data visualizations, monitoring network views, and KPIs for global ocean observing data.
🔗 LinkedIn
David Koplovitz
CTO at ClassWallet
Worked together on:
Product strategy and UX leadership for a large-scale U.S. fintech platform, designing complex user flows and evolving a robust design system in close collaboration with product and engineering teams across multiple product lines.
🔗 LinkedIn
Matías Burchio
CTO at ANII (National Agency for Research and Innovation)
Worked together on:
Redesign and long-term evolution of ANII's digital ecosystem, leading UX improvements, accessibility initiatives, and the creation of a comprehensive design system for public-facing platforms supporting innovation funding and grant processes.
🔗 LinkedIn
Victoria Gadea
Director of Digital Transformation at Búsqueda
Worked together on:
Digital transformation efforts across editorial and business areas, supporting product discovery, UX strategy, and platform evolution through a human-centered and systems-oriented approach that unified multiple digital touchpoints.
🔗 LinkedIn
Selected Exhibitions, Awards & Recognition
International Printmaking Biennial
Museu do Douro, Portugal, 2023
Selected for exhibition at the International Printmaking Biennial.
International Printmaking Biennial
Museu do Douro, Portugal, 2023
Selected for exhibition at the International Printmaking Biennial.
International Print Exhibit
National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taiwan, 2022
Work featured in international print exhibition.
International Print Exhibit
National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taiwan, 2022
Work featured in international print exhibition.
30 Seconds Museum
Neo Shibuya, Tokyo, 2021
Digital art exhibition in Tokyo's Neo Shibuya district.
30 Seconds Museum
Neo Shibuya, Tokyo, 2021
Digital art exhibition in Tokyo's Neo Shibuya district.
Ibero-American Design Biennial
Plaza Matadero, Madrid, 2017
Selected work for Ibero-American Design Biennial.
Ibero-American Design Biennial
Plaza Matadero, Madrid, 2017
Selected work for Ibero-American Design Biennial.
Museum of Design and Fashion
MUDE, Lisbon, 2017
Exhibition at Museum of Design and Fashion in Lisbon.
Museum of Design and Fashion
MUDE, Lisbon, 2017
Exhibition at Museum of Design and Fashion in Lisbon.
Venice Architecture Biennale
Uruguay Pavilion, Venice, 2016
Contributed to Uruguay Pavilion at Venice Architecture Biennale.
Venice Architecture Biennale
Uruguay Pavilion, Venice, 2016
Contributed to Uruguay Pavilion at Venice Architecture Biennale.
Tipos Latinos Typography Biennial
Latin America, 2010
Recognition at Latin American typography biennial.
Tipos Latinos Typography Biennial
Latin America, 2010
Recognition at Latin American typography biennial.
American Design Awards
GDUSA, USA, 2010
Award from Graphic Design USA.
American Design Awards
GDUSA, USA, 2010
Award from Graphic Design USA.
Latam Congress of Interdisciplinary Higher Education
CCE, Uruguay, 2016
Speaker at Latin American congress on higher education.
Latam Congress of Interdisciplinary Higher Education
CCE, Uruguay, 2016
Speaker at Latin American congress on higher education.
Final Project Jury
FADU, University of the Republic, Uruguay, 2015–2023
Jury member for final year design projects.
Final Project Jury
FADU, University of the Republic, Uruguay, 2015–2023
Jury member for final year design projects.
Jury Member – FADU Visual Identity Competitions
Gen12/14, Uruguay, 2011-2012
Jury member for student visual identity design competitions.
Jury Member – FADU Visual Identity Competitions
Gen12/14, Uruguay, 2011-2012
Jury member for student visual identity design competitions.
20×20 Designers Compilation
Editorial Yaugurú, Uruguay/Argentina, 2010
Featured in designers compilation publication.
20×20 Designers Compilation
Editorial Yaugurú, Uruguay/Argentina, 2010
Featured in designers compilation publication.
Typography in Uruguay
ORT University, Uruguay, 2010
Talk on typography design in Uruguay.
Typography in Uruguay
ORT University, Uruguay, 2010
Talk on typography design in Uruguay.
Web Design Index
The Pepin Press, Netherlands, 2010
Work featured in international web design index.
Web Design Index
The Pepin Press, Netherlands, 2010
Work featured in international web design index.
Get in touch
Let's work together
If you've made it this far, we likely share a vision for meaningful work. I'm drawn to projects with clear purpose—those that make a positive impact and foster change. I believe in collaborating with teams committed to creating a fairer, more inclusive, and sustainable world. If these values resonate with you, I'd love to connect.