Hi! My name is Maria, and I am a research-driven UX designer based in Malmö, Sweden.
With an M.Sc. in Interaction Design from Malmö University and an architectural background, I bring a scholarly mindset and agile skills in user research, concept development, and prototyping. I spend my time between Malmö and Copenhagen.
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My values
These principles guide my work in every project I undertake.
1
User-centered approach to design
People use and are affected by my designs, so they are at the heart of my iterative design approach. My design decisions are driven by user research.
2
Giving back to the community
I regularly volunteer with local organizations, such as Pink Programming, and give free lectures to students or professionals.
3
Life-long learning to raise the bar
UX designers need to navigate a rapidly changing field. When the design landscape shifts, I raise the bar and learn new skills and methods.
4
Accountability and responsibility
Taking responsibility for my actions is crucial, because my designs affect people, communities, and the environment.
Talks & Lectures
Malmö University, Dept. of Media and Communication, 2023
Collaborating virtually and globally. Sharing insights from my academic and work experience.
Design Salon at Knightec, Topic: Design Hybrids, Malmö 2023
VR: A bridge between UX Design and Architecture. Introducing user research methods to architects.
Malmö University, Dept. of Computer Science, 2022
Presentation and workshop on how to use VR for user research, co-design, and societal change.
IOIO Lab at Malmö University, Malmö 2022
How can Human-Computer Interaction and architecture come together? Presentation and workshop.
RIXC Art Science Festival, Riga 2021
Making Room for the Body: A Sonic and Kinesthetic Sketching Tool for Architects.
Lund University, Urban Creativity Conference, Lund 2019
Embedding urban legends: an interactive museum experience in public spaces.
Aalto University, Hybrid Labs Symposium, Helsinki 2018
Wild things: on designing behavioural interactive artefacts.
Selected Press
Maria Nikoli and Christina Politou restore 1930s residence celebrating Kos Island’s architectural legacy.
Restoration of a historic residence on Kos Island, Greece | by Maria Nikoli & Christina Politou.
A historic residence on Kos revitalizes an architectural style under threat of extinction (transl. from Greek).
Arduino Blog & Social Media, 2022
Art Class Stinks! Learn with Smell in Art Class using this Olfactory Display.
Blogdot Spieleblog Österreich, 2022
Art Class Stinks! Learn with Smell in Art Class using this Olfactory Display.
The SOUNDMAT and its design methods were featured twice on this blog
Interviewed by Ingeniøren, 2021
Interviewed by Denmark’s leading newspaper on tech & engineering