[About]

[ Let's get to know each other! ]

Design is more than a screen.
Every digital space has a pulse. Just as a physical room can make you feel safe, inspired, or lost, I believe a user interface should feel like home. Your project deserves more than just a functional layout; it deserves a design that is intentional, rhythmic, and deeply human.
Hi, I’m Kristine Balta! Coming from a background in architecture, I don’t just draw lines - I build experiences. I’ve traded blueprints for Figma to create digital environments that breathe. Over the past year in Porto, I’ve refined a practical, hands-on approach to UX/UI that prioritizes the way people feel when they interact with your world.

People will forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.

-Maya Angelou

[ How I Bring Ideas to Life ]

The Art of Visual Narrative

Beyond pixels, I focus on the story. I create digital journeys that don't just solve problems, but resonate with the user. It’s about finding the rhythm in an interface so that every interaction feels like a natural conversation.

Information Architecture

Drawing from my roots in building design, I approach complex systems with a structural eye. I organize the "inner world" of an app so it feels intuitive and grounded—ensuring that every user knows exactly where they are and where they’re going.

Leadership in Design

I believe great work is born from connection. I don’t just lead projects; I nurture them. By fostering a thoughtful and empathetic environment, I help teams build design solutions that are as high-quality as they are meaningful.

[ Experience ]

Pflege.Media

Freelance / Collaboration - Web & Digital Designer

March 2025 - present

Porto, Portugal

WordPress & SEO Optimization: Leading the redesign and migration of cluttered, "noisy" websites into streamlined, SEO-optimized platforms for German healthcare providers, such as Provitam.

Full-Funnel Content Creation: Designing brand-consistent social media assets and marketing collateral using Canva and Affinity.

Reorganize complex service data, simplifying navigation and improving readability for sensitive user groups.

Pflege.Media

Freelance / Collaboration - Web & Digital Designer

March 2025 - present

Porto, Portugal

WordPress & SEO Optimization: Leading the redesign and migration of cluttered, "noisy" websites into streamlined, SEO-optimized platforms for German healthcare providers, such as Provitam.

Full-Funnel Content Creation: Designing brand-consistent social media assets and marketing collateral using Canva and Affinity.

Reorganize complex service data, simplifying navigation and improving readability for sensitive user groups.

Freelance

Architect & Project Manager

Jan 2021 - present

Porto, Portugal

Freelance

Architect & Project Manager

Jan 2021 - present

Porto, Portugal

Ethnomodern arquitetura

Architect / Team Coordinator

July 2022- April 2024

Porto, Portugal

Ethnomodern arquitetura

Architect / Team Coordinator

July 2022- April 2024

Porto, Portugal

Studio Toggle

Architect

April 2019 - June 2022

Porto, Portugal

Studio Toggle

Architect

April 2019 - June 2022

Porto, Portugal

Creative Practice

Writer / Artist / Local Guide

June 2019 - Current

Porto, Portugal

Creating and selling original drawings

Writing and publishing essays on Substack

Designing and leading private walking experiences in Porto

Creative Practice

Writer / Artist / Local Guide

June 2019 - Current

Porto, Portugal

Creating and selling original drawings

Writing and publishing essays on Substack

Designing and leading private walking experiences in Porto

[ Want to no more? ]

My professional journey at a glance
I spent a decade practicing as an Architect in Portugal, learning how to build with precision and purpose. In 2025, I transitioned that structural mindset into the digital world, completing my UX/UI journey at EDIT in Porto. Whether it's a physical renovation or a digital interface, my focus remains the same: creating something that works beautifully.
Beyond the screen
  • A Nomad at Heart: From a tiny corner of Latvia to trekking 4,000m peaks in Morocco and hitchhiking across Iberia. I’ve seen 30+ countries, each one teaching me a new way to look at the world.


  • A Porto Local: I’ve led over 200 walking tours through these streets. I love sharing the hidden stories of this city as much as I love discovering new ones.


  • A Storyteller: When I’m not designing, I’m writing. You can find my latest reflections and insights over on Substack.

[ Because there is life outside the work ]

Community Leader

Porto Happy Hikers

I love bringing people together. There is something grounding about leaving the city behind and sharing a path in the fresh air.

Community Leader

Porto Happy Hikers

I love bringing people together. There is something grounding about leaving the city behind and sharing a path in the fresh air.

Hobby

Forro

A dance of connection and simply being in the moment with the music and the person in front of me.

Hobby

Forro

A dance of connection and simply being in the moment with the music and the person in front of me.

Active Hobby

Traveling & Photography

Searching for those quiet, moody frames—on a mountain peak or a city street—where words aren't really needed.

Active Hobby

Traveling & Photography

Searching for those quiet, moody frames—on a mountain peak or a city street—where words aren't really needed.

Lifestyle

Cycling & Fitness

Pushing my limits on the road or gym gives me a sense of freedom and a fresh perspective on everything else.

Lifestyle

Cycling & Fitness

Pushing my limits on the road or gym gives me a sense of freedom and a fresh perspective on everything else.

Let’s find a moment for a coffee!

Whether it’s to talk about a new idea, share travel stories, or simply to say hi — my door is always open.

[ Reach out ]

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