João A. Mota holds a PhD degree in Design from University of Aveiro (advisors: James S. Ackerman – Graduate School of Design – Harvard University; and João Cabral – Environment and Planning Department – University of Aveiro), a Master of Fine Arts degree in Visual Studies at the Visual Studies Workshop – State University of New York, and a Fine Arts degree from the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Lisbon.

Taught design courses at NYU (New York University 1995), GSD (Graduate School of Design – Harvard University 1995 – 2000), University of Aveiro (part-time 1996 -2000), since 2000 teaches full-time at UA (University of Aveiro). Was the team leader at the UA for the FP7 project DesireNetwork: Creative Design for Innovation in Science and Technology (2008 – 2012).

He is founding member of the Portuguese Research Institute of Design, Media and Culture (ID+). Coordinated the research group: Strategy and Sustainability. Current research interests cross: Strategic Design (deep programmatic changes / knowledge transfer); Visual studies (Photography, Drawing: Non commercial images for the city / Non commercial images set within the architectural and the urban space); Art Criticism.

He is father of two girls and one boy and enjoys ocean and coastal sailing.