Bruna Cerasi graduated from MA Regenerative Design in 2024. She currently works at Riza Lab, a research and community-led organisation.
Why did you choose to study MA Regenerative Design at Central Saint Martins (CSM)?
I chose the MA in Regenerative Design at CSM because I came to see that conventional design thinking and sustainability practices alone weren’t enough to address the planetary challenges we face. I felt that developing systemic thinking was essential for designing with future resilience in mind. I had long admired CSM for its creative lens and hands-on material approach, but what truly set the course apart for me was its integration of anthropological and ecological thinking into the design process. That interdisciplinary focus aligned with my belief that any vision for a desirable future must honour and elevate traditional communities for their ancestral knowledge and planetary contributions.
What have you been working on since graduating?
Since completing my MA, I’ve been working at Riza Lab—a root-like organisation dedicated to research, curation, creative practice, and building community relationships as a way to shape design culture and make ancestral futures tangible. As I’ve become more grounded in my own landscape, I’ve uncovered the richness of the local geography and traditional communities, who have deeply moved me with their relational stories and ways of living with the land. Riza Lab continues to evolve through partnerships with educational institutions, creating dialogue and inspiring designers to place land, memory, and community at the centre of their creative work.
What was the most interesting project you worked on during your time on the course?
That would be Riza Lab. It was the central focus of my work throughout the course. Through Riza—and by engaging deeply with land and traditional communities—I was able to apply and experience systemic thinking in a meaningful and grounded way.
What important piece of advice would you give to students thinking of studying this course?
Be open to being transformed by new ways of thinking. Don’t try to control the process—let it guide you. Use the MA Regenerative Design network well; it’s one of the course’s greatest assets. And if you have the chance, connect with your local landscape and community while you’re studying—it can make your journey that much more enriching. Most importantly, lead with passion in everything you do.
What was the highlight of your Central Saint Martins experience?
The highlight for me was connecting with so many inspiring and passionate people who genuinely want to make a difference. Another special moment was being nominated for the Nova Awards. Having poured so much of myself into Riza Lab, it was an honour to have that work recognised.
What is the most important thing you learnt on the course?
The journey of exploring land relations taught me the deep value of identity and helped me realise how many untold stories are waiting to be heard and honoured.
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