FPO

I’m a designer and creative leader who’s endlessly curious about how design can make life better.

Over the years, I’ve worked across all kinds of industries and settings, building cohesive brands, telling stories that matter, and creating intuitive experiences for digital, print, and in-person moments. That mix of work has given me a well-rounded perspective and a big toolkit to pull from.

I’m happiest when I’m solving different types of problems, diving into something new, and stretching my skills along the way. Every project is a chance to learn, experiment, and make something that truly connects with people.

My Values

  • Curiosity

    I dive into every project with an open mind, a desire to explore, and plenty of questions.

  • Craft

    I care about how things are made and bring skill, refinement, and thoughtfulness to every step of the process.

  • Connection

    Strong relationships are at the heart of great work. I value listening, sharing, and building meaningful partnerships.

  • Joy

    I bring heart, lightness, and energy to everything I make, because good work should feel good.

  • Respect

    I value each person’s perspective and create space where everyone feels welcome, heard, and included.

  • Honesty

    I believe open and transparent communication is key to building healthy partnerships.

How I Can Help You

I partner with clients to bring brands to life across various channels and touchpoints.

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What Working Together Looks Like

My process is how I deliver great work. It combines clear steps, open communication, and flexibility.

Getting Started

  • Initial Chat

  • Getting the Details

  • Proposal

  • Agreement

Design and Delivery

  • Kickoff

  • Design & Iteration

  • Final Delivery

  • Check In

Frequently Asked Questions

  • I work on a wide range of projects, from brand strategy and visual identity to websites, apps, marketing campaigns, and event materials. Whether you’re starting from scratch or evolving an existing brand, I can support your goals.

  • Pricing depends on the project. I start by learning about the problem you’re trying to solve and the goals you’re working toward. From there, I’ll create a custom proposal based on your needs, timeline, and budget. I’m happy to talk with you about your project and help figure out what makes the most sense.

  • It depends on the scope and availability. Once I develop a plan for tackling the project, I’ll provide a clear timeline that works for both of us so you know what to expect from the start.

  • Yes! I collaborate with clients across time zones and borders. I’m based in Southern California, but I work remotely with teams around the world. I’m bilingual (English + Spanish), which helps me connect with a wider range of clients and communities.

  • Absolutely. Part of my work is helping you get clarity on what you’re trying to solve and what success looks like. I’ll ask plenty of questions to uncover your goals and challenges before creating a proposal that fits your needs.

  • Just reach out and tell me a bit about your project. I’ll follow up with next steps, and we’ll take it from there.

Still have questions? I'm happy to help.

Where I’ve added value

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Swing Ballet

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Earth Justice

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Wells Fargo

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Oakland Zoo

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Museum of Africa Diaspora

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Disney

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Akron Zoo

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General Motors

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Coverl Girl

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Visa

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826 Valencia

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Albertson

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826 Boston

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Mcsweeney's

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University of Santa Cruz

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Friends of the Children, Seattle

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Sterling Publishing

• Swing Ballet • Earth Justice • Wells Fargo • Oakland Zoo • Museum of Africa Diaspora • Disney • Akron Zoo • General Motors • Coverl Girl • Visa • 826 Valencia • Albertson • 826 Boston • Mcsweeney's • University of Santa Cruz • Friends of the Children, Seattle • Sterling Publishing

  • “María-Inés is a full-stack designer who brings skill, thoughtfulness, and empathy to her work. She is a quiet leader, centering the team around the “why” behind a project and making sure we didn’t lose sight of the business objectives while still maintaining a user-centric approach.”

    NICOLE VILLENEUVE
    Swing Therapeutics, Director of Marketing

  • “María-Inés quickly dove in, with a thoughtful approach that allowed our team to swiftly define the 'why' that she then leveraged to drive our visual style. She also managed to quickly align the organization behind a common vision—no small feat.

    NELSON MITCHELL
    Swing Therapeutics, Former Head of Product / Co-Founder

  • “María-Inés did the brand re-design for my nonprofit, and we love what she created for us. She was thorough and communicative throughout the process. She went above and beyond to ensure that we had a result that represented our brand identity and that we were happy with.”

    AYLA SCHLOSSER
    Resonate, Former CEO/Cofounder

  • “María-Inés is simply outstanding. She's a profoundly talented designer with a thoughtful, holistic approach to her work, evident in the beautiful work she produces. Her strong sense of design and aesthetics is balanced by deeply organized work habits and rigorous adherence to schedules and budgets.”

    AMANDA UHLE
    McSweeney's, Executive Director

What to Expect

  • Getting Started

    Initial Chat – A quick call to align on goals, timeline, and fit.

    Discovery – Light research to ground the work (audience, content, and context).

    Proposal & Plan – Scope, timeline, and investment—reviewed together.

    Agreement – Contract + deposit to officially book the project.

  • Design and Delivery

    Kickoff – Roles, success metrics, and next steps—everyone on the same page.

    Design & Iteration – Options, feedback, and fast refinements.

    Review & Feedback – Clear rounds with actionable notes to keep momentum.

    Final Delivery – Polished files, how-to guidance, and support for launch.

Let's Chat!