Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Maria.
Hi Andrea, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
For as long as I can remember, I have been drawing, painting, or interested in some sort of arts and crafts activity. I knew very early on that being creative and expressing myself through art was my passion and that I would want to pursue some sort of creative career. I wasn’t sure exactly which path to follow, but I was sure that a typical 9-5 corporate job was not the route I would want to take. I attended college for only one year before dropping out because I was so unsure of what exactly I wanted to do.
Afterward, I spent some time working while allowing myself to create art in my free time and explore new creative outlets. I turned to wanting to create digital art, so I taught myself how to use Adobe’s creative suite by watching a plethora of YouTube videos and practicing at every chance I could. Digital art led me to creating vector illustrations and designs which opened up the world of logo and brand design. I was quickly drawn to the idea of helping others execute their visions while being able to stay authentic to myself by prioritizing creative expression.
Now, I am working on freelance graphic design projects and passion projects with a specialty in brand design and vector illustration. I help small business owners and creators create fun brand identities that tell a story throughout logos, graphics, packaging, etc. I have loved the process so far and am excited for growth and new learning opportunities!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think taking the leap to pursue your passion will always be challenging but so rewarding. Personally, I have struggled with a lot of self-doubts, harsh self-criticism and comparison due to dropping out of college and being fully self-taught. I have felt like I have had to work that much harder to build a portfolio that I could say I was proud of and that has made me feel qualified to take on and execute other people’s creative visions. My mental health has also gotten in the way many times along the way, and it has left me pausing or wanting to completely halt my creative journey and pursue a ‘safer’ career instead where I wouldn’t be in control of my day to day itinerary. When I have felt like giving up, I have had to learn to remind myself that this is what I love and I have to keep working towards my goals even when things get difficult. I have to remind myself that it might take longer than I’m comfortable with, but everything will work out.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a graphic designer, I get to create visual identities, visual concepts, and digital art. I specialize in brand design and vector illustration. There is a lot more to a brand than just a logo. I create all the logo variations, brand guidelines, printed material designs, packaging designs, social media assets and strategies, and any other graphic elements that help to paint the picture of a brand’s story and values. I create vector illustrations as an individual service or incorporated into branding services. One of my favorite things to create is fun illustrated characters that can be used within a brand to add a unique charm and personality. One project that I am most proud of included the design of a pickle character to represent a pickle juice brand. This character was so fun to draw and added a sense of humor to portray the playful brand voice.
I also love to create things like posters and stickers as passion projects to continue practicing my design skills. It is a good way to experiment without any boundaries and to have total creative freedom. Projects like these keep the passion alive, and I sell some of these designs on my website.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Staying authentic has been a top priority of mine throughout this journey. I want to always put out work that I truly love and does not feel forced or created solely because someone else thinks it is what I should be doing. I strive to make my work genuine and true to myself and do everything with intention. This also goes for who I work with – I want to work with people who’s values and goals align with mine and allow for a diverse range of voices to be heard and expressed through design.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.andreamaria.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreamaria.co/
