Passionate about…

Learning,

New Technologies,

& Art.

I have founded Be a Connoisseur to design and develop learning experiences that transmit knowledge, foster appreciation and develop judgment for craftsmanship and art.

The Science of Learning…

Pillars of My Designs.

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I think, therefore I am.

– René Descartes –

Cognitivism

Thinking is the foundation of knowledge and requires active engagement and the development of one’s own ideas through reflection.

Cognitivism

My designs stimulate learners’ thinking, activate their prior knowledge and establish connections with new learning to effectively fix it in long-term memory.

Cognitive Load Theory

Learning is a never-ending journey, a certainty to be a connoisseur… but learning can be exhausting if our brains are overloaded!

Cognitive Load Theory

My designs minimize cognitive overload and put the limited mental resources of learners to work to efficiently maximize learning.

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Learning never exhausts the mind.

– Leaonardo da Vinci –

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Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.

– Benjamin Franklin –

Constructivism

Learners who actively participate in the process of constructing their own knowledge are more likely to remember and understand what they are learning.

Constructivism

My designs involve learners in the construction of meaning by actively engaging them to make sense of new information based on their prior knowledge and experiences.

Contextualism

Real-world contexts that are relevant and meaningful to the viewer can provide a framework for interpreting and understanding an artwork.

Contextualism

My designs offer relevant content that is applicable to real contexts allowing learners to relate it to their own reality for better understanding and retention of the information they are learning.

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Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.

– Edgar Degas –

Hugo Castro | Learning Experience Designer & Developer

Three decades of passion…

From designing, crafting and selling the timepieces and jewelry creations conceived in the family atelier.

to contributing to some of the most prestigious Maisons such as…

Professional Experience

2023 Be a Connoisseur

Be a Connoisseur SARL (Annecy)

Learning Experience Designer & Developer

2018 - 2023 Vacheron Constantin

Branch of Richemont International SA (Geneva)

International Training Project Manager & Trainer

Design, development and implementation of learning programs and content, both online and classroom-based, to develop the international retail population and subsidiaries in terms of client-centric skills, luxury culture, as well as the history, values, collections and know-how of the Maison’s haute horlogerie.

2011 - 2018 Piaget

Branch of Richemont International SA (Geneva)

2014 – 2018 International Training Project Manager & Trainer

Design, development and implementation of learning programs and content, both online and classroom-based, to develop the international retail population and subsidiaries in terms of retail management, client-centric skills, luxury culture, as well as the history, values, collections and know-how of the Maison’s haute horlogerie, jewelry and high jewelry.

In addition to the training, development and follow-up of the newly created community of “Grand Vendeurs”.

Richemont Iberia, S.L. (Madrid)

2011 – 2014 Sales Manager Spain & Portugal

Development and implementation of the commercial strategy, partners’ KPI monitoring, improvement of brand image and presence at points of sale, as well as training of retail ambassadors.

2003 - 2011 Jesús Castro

Lux Laboris, S.L. (Family Jewelry and Watchmaking Atelier – Madrid)

General Manager

As a small, family-owned business, I managed the entire company. From accounting and managing human resources to designing, manufacturing and selling the collections internationally.

2002 - 2003 Blancpain

The Swatch Group Spain (Madrid)

Brand Manager Spain & Portugal

Relaunch of the brand in the Iberian market, development and implementation of the marketing and commercial strategy as well as the sale of the first high complications of the brand in this market.

1997 - 2002 Cartier

Les Must de Cartier Spain, S.L / Vendôme LG Iberia, S.L (Madrid)

Sales Manager Spain

Development and implementation of the commercial strategy, partners’ KPI monitoring, improvement of brand image and presence at points of sale, as well as training of retail ambassadors.