I’m a designer and art director who believes in the power of ideas to connect people and help build the future we want to live in. I bring that belief to life through thoughtful, playful design rooted in empathy and strategy.
ABOUT ME
With experience in Toronto, London, and Bogotá, I bring a global perspective to my work — from tackling national and international ad campaigns for Lululemon, the Director’s Guild of Canada, and the Canadian Cancer Society, to shaping global brand identity projects at Interbrand London.
For the past six years, I’ve also run an independent practice, collaborating on projects with clients such as the Toronto Flower Market, IDEO.org, Radford Beauty, and The Feathertale Review. I'm especially passionate about using design and creativity to give shape to meaningful initiatives.
EXPERIENCE
— Senior Designer at Frontier
— Associate Creative Director at Hard Work Club
— Senior Designer at Interbrand
— Freelance Designer at 4Creative
— Art Director at Juliet Creative
— Art Director at Zulu Alpha Kilo
— Designer at Whitman Emorson
EDUCATION
OCAD University — Toronto
BDes Advertising
Minor in Media Studies
Penninghen — Paris
Art Direction
RECOGNITION
— 2025, Applied Arts Illustration and Photography Awards Jury
— 2024, D&AD Shortlist / Type Design & Lettering, AtkinsRéalis
— 2024, Creative Review Honourable Mention, AtkinsRéalis
— 2024, LADAWARDS, Bronze, Typography
— 2023, Communication Arts Winner, Typography Competition
— 2022, Clio Music, Silver, SickKids: “Lily’s Raincoat“
— 2019, ADCC, Bronze, EGM: Dear 2030
— 2019, Communication Arts Webpicks, Pardon Website
— 2017, Applied Arts Student Awards, Entire Ad Campaign
— 2017, Zulu Alpha Kilo Employeeship Winner
©2025 (Studio) Maria José Arias