Hi, I’m Carlos, a freelance Art Director and Graphic Designer based in Madrid with worldwide experience. I’ve spent over nine years delivering editorial design, visual identity, branding, data visualization and UX/UI across print and digital formats. I focus on strong creative concepts that extend beyond aesthetics and solve real design challenges for international clients. My approach blends concept and execution, collaborating on projects from magazines and branding to interactive experiences. I enjoy shaping visual systems for brands and publications, and I’m comfortable working across print, web, and UI/UX design to create cohesive, engaging experiences.

Carlos Toral

PRO

Hi, I’m Carlos, a freelance Art Director and Graphic Designer based in Madrid with worldwide experience. I’ve spent over nine years delivering editorial design, visual identity, branding, data visualization and UX/UI across print and digital formats. I focus on strong creative concepts that extend beyond aesthetics and solve real design challenges for international clients. My approach blends concept and execution, collaborating on projects from magazines and branding to interactive experiences. I enjoy shaping visual systems for brands and publications, and I’m comfortable working across print, web, and UI/UX design to create cohesive, engaging experiences.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Carlos, a freelance Art Director and Graphic Designer based in Madrid with worldwide experience. I’ve spent over nine years delivering editorial design, visual identity, branding, data visualization and UX/UI across print and digital formats. I focus on strong creative concepts that extend beyond aesthetics and solve real design challenges for international clients.

My approach blends concept and execution, collaborating on projects from magazines and branding to interactive experiences. I enjoy shaping visual systems for brands and publications, and I’m comfortable working across print, web, and UI/UX design to create cohesive, engaging experiences.

See more

Language

Spanish; Castilian
Fluent
English
Advanced
French
Intermediate

Work Experience

Freelance Graphic Designer & Art Director at Freelance
September 1, 2023 - Present
Graphic Design services delivering worldwide. Main focus in Editorial and Information Design, UX/UI, Branding and Digital Illustration.
Editorial Art Director an Lead Graphic Designer at Ploi Media
June 1, 2018 - September 1, 2023
Art Director for the Spanish lifestyle magazine Mine and the informational magazine Views of CEU University. Editorial design and development of information graphics, illustrations and layouts for the printed version and the interactive digital version. I also handled graphic design for Vis-à-vis magazine and IN magazine, part of the INDITEX group.
Graphic Designer at Verdemelón
October 1, 2017 - April 1, 2018
Management of advertising projects. Tasks related to graphic design and final arts.
Community Manager and Graphic Designer at Diputación de Málaga
June 1, 2016 - October 1, 2016
Intership at ‘La Noria Social Innovation Center’ at the Provincial Council of Málaga. Social media management, press release writing, clipping, web management and graphic design jobs
Graphic Designer & Art Director at Self-employed / Freelance
September 1, 2023 - Present
Graphic design services for international clients, focused on editorial and information design, UX/UI, illustration, branding and art direction.

Education

Master’s degree in UX/UI Design & Web Programming at Gauss Multimedia School of Design (Malaga, Spain)
October 1, 2016 - January 1, 2018
Degree in Journalism at University of Málaga
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2016
Master’s degree in Information Design & Data Visualization at Information Design & Data Visualization Program
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2022
Master’s degree in Graphic Design & Artistic Design at Shifta by Elisava (Barcelona, Spain)
January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2024
Bachelor's Degree in Journalism at University of Málaga
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2016
Master’s Degree in UX/UI Design & Web Programming at Gauss Multimedia School of Design
October 1, 2016 - January 1, 2018
Master’s Degree in Information Design & Data Visualization at Gauss Multimedia School of Design
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2022
Master’s Degree in Graphic Design & Artistic Design at Shifta by LISAVA
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2017

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Software & Internet, Education, Healthcare, Travel & Hospitality, Retail, Government
    paper MOB HOUSE Paris – Déambulations

    MOB HOUSE – Déambulations is a series of editorial illustrations developed for the Paris-based hotel MOB HOUSE, conceived as a narrative journey through its spaces.

    I developed a sequence of illustrated scenes translating key moments within the hotel — arrival, circulation, shared spaces and encounters. Rather than depicting the architecture literally, the work builds a symbolic and surreal layer, combining collage, typography and illustration to extend the identity of the space.

    The result functions as a continuous visual narrative, moving between fiction and documentation, and reinforcing MOB HOUSE as an experience shaped by movement, atmosphere and imagination.

    Explore the full project [on my website](https://www.twine.net/signin

    paper IN — Inditex Magazine

    Inditex is one of the world’s largest fashion groups, operating multiple global brands across retail and digital platforms.

    I worked as a graphic designer within the editorial team of IN Magazine, contributing to the development of visual content across print and digital formats. My role involved designing editorial layouts, creating visual concepts for articles and ensuring consistency across the publication.

    Working within a large-scale organization provided experience in complex workflows, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and adapting to established systems while maintaining a high level of craft and attention to detail.

    Explore the full project [here](https://www.twine.net/signin

    paper Mine Magazine

    MINE is a Spanish men’s lifestyle magazine published by Editorial Ploi Media, covering fashion, culture and contemporary trends across print and digital platforms.

    I worked as a graphic designer and art director within the editorial team, overseeing both print and digital outputs. My role included designing and laying out editorial content, developing visual concepts for articles, and ensuring overall graphic consistency.

    The work extended to art direction for photoshoots and audiovisual productions, as well as the creation of advertising and promotional assets for social media and issue launches. A strong focus was placed on the digital edition, where layout, motion and structure contributed to a more immersive reading experience.

    Explore the full project [here](https://www.twine.net/signin

    paper Hemptress® — Urban Encounters

    Hemptress is a US-based skincare brand focused on CBD-infused products, targeting a premium audience through a strong and distinctive visual identity.

    I led the art direction for a campaign photoshoot, developing a visual approach that translates the brand’s universe into imagery. The focus was on creating a cohesive narrative that connects product, mood and storytelling — balancing clinical skincare codes with a more emotional and aspirational tone.

    From concept to execution, the work involved defining the visual language, directing the shoot and ensuring consistency across all assets. The result reinforces Hemptress’ positioning as a contemporary, high-end beauty brand with a clear and recognizable identity.

    Explore the full project [on my website](https://www.twine.net/signin

    paper Pava Restaurant

    Pava Restaurant expands the original Pava Café concept in Colonia Moscardó, Madrid, evolving from a specialty coffee spot into a neighborhood bar centered around food and community.

    I developed the art direction and led the photography shoot, focusing on capturing the space as it naturally operates. The visual narrative was built around three core elements — community, food and space — avoiding staged scenes in favor of real interactions and everyday dynamics.

    The challenge was to preserve the brand’s connection with a younger audience while integrating long-time local customers. The resulting imagery reflects this coexistence through shared moments, generational contrasts and the rhythm of daily life.

    By reactivating a historic corner bar, the project extends Pava’s identity beyond coffee into a broader, more social experience.

    You can explore the full project [here](https://www.twine.net/signin

    paper Regalería Tannenbaum

    Regalería Tannenbaum is a gift and decoration store based in Lavapiés, Madrid, conceived as an emotional refuge within the city.

    I led the branding and visual identity, developing a concept rooted in alpine and Central European references — folklore, seasonal rituals and symbolic imagery — translated into a cohesive narrative system rather than a purely decorative aesthetic. The identity combines a palette of dark greens and beige, classic typography and recurring elements such as the dachshund motif, creating a warm and nostalgic visual language.

    The result is a flexible system that evolves seasonally while maintaining consistency across touchpoints, from illustration and packaging to the overall brand experience.

    Explore the full project [on my website](https://www.twine.net/signin