Victoria Martínez is a Venezuelan student currently based in Porto, Portugal. She is in her final year, majoring in Web Development, with a goal of collaborating with clients in the arts, architecture, fashion, and media industries.
Martínez began developing her passion for design by using her grandfather's  cartographer tools to sketch house designs. During family road trips, she would often imagine how she could change the aesthetic of old buildings, dreaming up ways to give a new life into them.
Unlike other children, she preferred architecture and design magazines over dolls or makeup, always needing to know the latest trends.
Fascinated by Japanese design websites, she found their aesthetics particularly appealing, and she started her journey trough web development.
At 19, she discovered the major she is currently pursuing and became enchanted by it. Today, Martínez is seeking an internship for her final year, starting in March 2025.

Early Life and Education

Victoria Martínez is the oldest daughter in her family, known for her strong character and personality. She completed her primary and most of secondary in Valencia, Carabobo. Victoria’s early passion for art became evident when she would paint the walls of her home, using shoe polish to create her masterpieces—much to the bewilderment of her parents. From a young age, she felt a deep need to express herself, finding her true voice through design.

Interests and Activities

Growing up, Martínez engaged in various sports and activities, including flamenco, aerial dance, tennis, hiking, ballet, and swimming. Additionally, she cherished spending time at her grandmother's farm, located in the Venezuelan Amazon rainforest. At the farm, she helped make cheese, rode horses with her cousin, fed the cows, chickens, and pigs, swam in the lake, and relaxed in the hammock. Her greatest wish remains to return to this cherished farm.

Travel Adventures

Martínez has always loved to travel. She has visited several countries, including:

  • United States: Florida, California
  • United Kingdom: London
  • Italy: Rome
  • Japan: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka
  • Qatar: Doha
  • Türkiye: Istanbul
  • Spain: Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, Marbella, Vigo
  • Germany: Berlin
  • The Netherlands: Amsterdam, Vught, Utrecht
  • Curaçao: Willemstad
  • Aruba: Oranjestad
  • Brazil: Roraima
  • Panama: Panama City

Relocation to Portugal

In mid-2017, at the age of 13, Martínez fled the dictatorship in Venezuela and relocated to Portugal. This transition required her to start anew, adapting to a different culture, learning a new language, and rebuilding her life from scratch. Despite having lived in Portugal for seven years, she still struggles with the winter weather, as she prefers the warm, Caribbean climate year-round. However, Martínez has embraced Portuguese culture wholeheartedly. She loves traditional Portuguese cuisine, particularly obsessed with Pastéis de Nata and Francesinha, and she encourages everyone to try these dishes at least once in their lifetime. Additionally, she enjoys traveling by train within Portugal and is enthusiastic about recommending the best spots in Porto to tourists, sharing her local insights and experiences.

Career Aspirations

After taking a gap year to explore her options, Martínez discovered a strong interest in web development and design, fields in which she has since developed both confidence and passion. She aspires to specialize in web design or software engineering, or potentially both. Additionally, inspired by her childhood fascination with revitalizing old buildings, she is considering pursuing a major in architecture as well.