info ☺    I'm a creative who believes ideas connect people and change how they see what's possible. I bring that to life through design that's thoughtful, a little playful, and built on empathy as much as strategy.
            Outside of client work, I volunteer with the RGD. I like sharing what I know as much as I like making things. Always happy to make time for coffee chats and portfolio reviews.

education
   OCAD University, BDes Advertising, Minor in Media Studies, Toronto    Penninghen, Art Direction, Paris












experience    Senior Designer at Frontier    Associate Creative Director at Hard Work Club    Senior Designer at Interbrand    Freelance Designer at 4Creative    Art Director at Juliet    Art Director at Zulu Alpha Kilo    Designer at Whitman Emorson

select clients
   Art Gallery of Ontario, The Asia Foundation, AtkinsRéalis, Canadian Cancer Society, Director’s Guild of Canada, Doordash, Hariri Pontarini Architects, IDEO.org, Lululemon, Montgomery Sisam Architects, SickKids, Toronto Flower Market

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

Exhibitions    2024 In-Between Exhibit Toronto    2018 Bad Girls Market Toronto    2018 RECAP Vuco Artspace Toronto    2015 The Elastic Effect OCAD U Toronto

contact    hola@mariajosearias.com

follow        @arias.marias

© 2026    Maria José Arias