Richmond-based graphic designer and art director with 15+ years of professional experience, specializing in branding, typography, and visual concept development. I lead projects from strategy through production and enjoy collaborating across disciplines to create cohesive identities and strong campaigns. I also mentor junior creatives and teach design and art at universities/community organizations, bringing clear communication and hands-on fabrication/design thinking into the classroom. Outside of work, I’m usually at the cinema, making music, playing board games, or spending time outdoors.

Mauricio Vargas

Verified

Richmond-based graphic designer and art director with 15+ years of professional experience, specializing in branding, typography, and visual concept development. I lead projects from strategy through production and enjoy collaborating across disciplines to create cohesive identities and strong campaigns. I also mentor junior creatives and teach design and art at universities/community organizations, bringing clear communication and hands-on fabrication/design thinking into the classroom. Outside of work, I’m usually at the cinema, making music, playing board games, or spending time outdoors.

Available to hire

Richmond-based graphic designer and art director with 15+ years of professional experience, specializing in branding, typography, and visual concept development. I lead projects from strategy through production and enjoy collaborating across disciplines to create cohesive identities and strong campaigns.

I also mentor junior creatives and teach design and art at universities/community organizations, bringing clear communication and hands-on fabrication/design thinking into the classroom. Outside of work, I’m usually at the cinema, making music, playing board games, or spending time outdoors.

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Language

Spanish; Castilian
Intermediate

Work Experience

Creative Director at Envelope Services
August 22, 2026 - Present
Envelope is the name of my art & design studio practice based in Richmond, Virginia. Recent clients include Adidas, Devlin’s NYC, Foot Locker, Adobe, UVA School of the Arts, TEDx, and Park House NYC.
Part-time Instructor at Visual Arts Center of Richmond & Brightpoint Community College
August 1, 2023 - Present
Instructor teaching 3-Dimensional Design, helping students develop design thinking and learn basic fabrication methods to create three-dimensional artworks and sculptures.
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER at Howard Hughes Corp
August 1, 2021 - December 1, 2022
I was in charge of designing collateral and concepts for various Howard Hughes properties across the United States. Deliverables included everything from brand identity guidelines and advertising campaigns, to the production of large scale window vinyls, lighting design, and spacial installations for events at the South Street Seaport and Merriweather District.
Creative Director / Founder at Envelope Services
May 1, 2020 - Present
Founded Envelope Services, an art & design studio practice based in Richmond. Leads branding and design work for a range of clients including Adidas, Devlin’s NYC, Foot Locker, Adobe, UVA School of the Arts, TEDx, and Park House NYC, managing projects from concept through delivery.
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER at Verizon Media
April 30, 2017 - June 30, 2018
During my time at Verizon Media, work bounced between creating pitches for prospective clients, designing collateral for clients, and directing and designing our first studio publication, RYOT zine.
Lead Designer at PDN Magazine / Emerald Expositions
August 1, 2015 - August 1, 2016
Owned design and art direction for print and digital marketing needs for the Media & Events department of PDN & Rangefinder. Designed monthly contests and galleries, created layouts for advertorial content, and redesigned PDNedu. Also created visual identity and collateral for Photoplus Expo 2016 at the Javitz Center in NYC.
LEAD DESIGNER at Emerald Expositions / PDN Magazine
August 1, 2015 - August 1, 2016
In charge of design and direction of all print and digital marketing needs for the Media & Events department of PDN & Rangefinder brand. This includes the design of monthly contest and corresponding galleries, layout of advertorial content and the redesign of PDNedu. In addition, I created the visual identity and collatoral for Photoplus Expo 2016, hosted at Javitz Center in NYC.
Graphic Designer at Quidsi / Amazon
August 1, 2011 - September 1, 2013
Worked primarily on Diapers.com under the art director and creative director. Designed and delegated emails, web banners, social media campaigns, and print collateral; supported advertising campaign conception and photo shoot direction for the Clothing & Shoe shop.

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University
August 12, 2003 - December 12, 2007
Master of Fine Arts (Interdisciplinary Art) at University of Hartford
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2022
Typeface Design Certificate at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2019
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Communication Arts) at Virginia Commonwealth University
January 1, 2003 - January 1, 2007

Qualifications

Typeface Design Certificate
January 1, 2019 - August 25, 2026

Industry Experience

Education, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Retail
    McCarren Parkhouse

    Nestled at the top of Brooklyn’s iconic McCarren Park, Parkhouse is a bar, cafe, and event space that offers a place for New Yorkers to enjoy the pleasures of green space and an abundance of sweet and savory delights to satiate your palette.

    We had the pleasure of expanding Parkhouse’s already playful logo, with a newly refined visual style and a collection of illustrations featuring a growing cast of local park regulars. Through a mix of color, illustration style, and typography, the brand began to take shape in all forms of collateral.

    From menus and print signage to coffee cups, we made a point of creating a visual system that is flexible enough to adapt to their business’ needs, while keeping consistent and familiar elements across media. In addition to refreshing the visual direction for Parkhouse, we helped extend the newfound ethos to their latest venture, Parkhouse Cafe.

    Devlin's NYC

    A full-service audio/visual company based out of the big apple, Devlins NYC, approached us looking for a visual identity that would set them apart from their competitors. We built a visual brand that carried consistent colors, typography, and graphic treatment across presentations, promotional graphics, and their website.

    Park Centraal

    Logo and icon designs for Park Centraal, a hotel located in Amsterdam. Highlighting key amenities of the hotel as well as cultural symbols of the region, we created a set of illustrations that embraced the style of a pen and ink etching.