Available to hire
Hi, I’m Melisa Mijares, a senior visual designer with over 10 years of experience in creative direction, publishing design, and digital products. I founded and grew Aquetzalli, a creative design firm that serves global luxury brands, combining traditional design skills with digital innovation to deliver compelling visual narratives. I enjoy driving brand success while maintaining consistency and meeting tight deadlines.
I love integrating new technologies, including AI, into the creative process to enhance the final product. Whether working on visual branding, editorial design, or product packaging, my focus is always on aligning with client values and goals to create meaningful and effective design solutions.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Language
Spanish; Castilian
Fluent
English
Advanced
Work Experience
Principal Designer & Founder at Aquetzalli
January 1, 2017 - June 18, 2024Founded creative design firm offering digital and traditional art content for publications, consumer products and brands. Owned and developed long-term vision and strategy, tested various business models including extending business to include e-commerce offerings, digital art licensing, in-house design and freelance services. Leveraged iterative, data-driven approach to offerings through deep partnerships, and expanded creative delivery process and design tech stack to include AI-augmented processes. Focused on alignment with client values and goals as well as Aquetzalli's own. Integrated generative AI tooling into creative delivery process. Launched Aquetzalli digital re-brand and online experience via Shopify.
Visual Designer (Freelance, Licensing) at A global sustainable luxury paper goods company
January 1, 2022 - June 18, 2024Helped grow client brand from a single brick-and-mortar Amsterdam boutique store to a multinational luxury paper goods brand over a 2-year period. Aligned unique proposed designs with client’s vision, delivering over 16 original Aquetzalli watercolor, vectorized, and production-ready designs for testing; reduced costs and friction (~160 hours saved) by integrating manufacturing and production requirements throughout design process. Validated best-selling Aquetzalli designs across 3 major product lines, resulting in expansion into 8 new markets globally, leveraging sales-based data to iterate design. Selected by Barnes & Noble as one of 3 exclusive Journal designs out of 76 client designs, establishing brand's first national retail presence in 400+ U.S. locations.
Principal Designer (Freelance, Licensing, Editorial) at A multinational alternative medicine and botanical brand
January 1, 2021 - January 31, 2022Redesigned product lines and labels for 100+ natural and organic medicinal products across eight different product lines, enabling Federal/regulatory compliance and unlocking an estimated serviceable obtainable market of ~$4.3MM-32MM USD across digital channels including Amazon, Walmart, Mercado Libre and Bodega Aurrera over 2 years. Created client's first comprehensive medical catalog including practical prescribing information and regulatory guidance for medical practitioners using proprietary templates.
Lead Experiential Designer (Freelance, Consulting) at A prominent rehabilitation and wellness center
January 1, 2021 - January 31, 2022Conducted on-site evaluation to assess and identify strategic points to implement signage and facilitate easier movement for patients and visitors throughout ~1-hectare of the facility's spaces. Designed site-specific signage solutions integrating climate-resistant natural materials, custom dimensions, structural requirements, and ergonomic principles for optimal visibility and durability. Created additional brand identity collateral such as stationery, key fobs, and towels to normalize brand experience across the entire facility.
Lead Designer, Branding and Marketing (Freelance) at A major influencer in the sustainable at-home horticultural space
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2022Created client's brand logo and delivered key digital marketing and course-related assets. Led full-stack Editorial and Design as Editor-in-Chief for two 50+ page digital publications, supporting client growth from 59K to 155K Instagram followers and expansion of online and in-person courses over 3 years.
Editor-in-Chief, Editorial Designer (Freelance) at A major influencer in the sustainable at-home horticultural space, special project
November 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022Led content editing, fact-checking and design of a 70-page e-book over 6 months. Hired and managed two direct reports in charge of copy and syntax; coordinated 8 contributing authors. Created comprehensive editorial style guide and designed full book package including 40+ custom vector illustrations and hand-painted watercolor cover artwork.
Author, Illustrator, Publisher at Aquetzalli
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018Authored, illustrated, and independently published 'Universo Mágico', a meditative coloring book co-written with Pedro F. Mijares, achieving 90% sell-through of first edition through direct sales within 5 years. Created freehand ink illustrations accompanied by reflective meditations.
Art Director, Editor-in-Chief at Es Vital
January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2013Developed and executed comprehensive publication roadmap, standardizing processes from planning, designing, printing production to distribution for bimonthly magazine. Managed publishing design direction and approved advertisement designs, ensuring brand consistency across bimonthly publication.
Director of Interior Design (Consulting) at Helen Doron - Metepec Franchise
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2014Integrated brand identity and Helen Doron learning methodology into spatial design, optimizing student experience by implementing interactive learning spaces in franchise school. Led and coordinated 5 specialized contractors for school remodeling.
Director of Interior Design (Freelance, Consulting) at Bars: Posh / El Diablito / La Zapata
January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2014Head Designer for different projects in the Restaurant & Hospitality Industries. Led 3 end-to-end creative design projects; led cross-functional teams of architects, structural engineers, and manufacturers to deliver comprehensive brand identity and interior design solutions. Scoped and made proposals for each project. Deliverables included logos, brand identity guidelines, menus, stationery, marketing collateral, signage, and interior design artifacts.
Education
Bachelor of Graphic Design at Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México
October 30, 2024 - October 30, 2024Bachelor of Arts at Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México
January 1, 2005 - December 31, 2011English Language Certification at Centro de Enseñanza de Lenguas de la Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México
January 1, 2005 - December 31, 2007Qualifications
Full Stack Design Leader
October 30, 2024 - October 30, 2024Integration of new technologies and personal skills such as watercolor with AI generation and edition in Adobe Illustrator, In Design or Photoshop.
Design project management from A to Z
October 30, 2024 - October 30, 2024Creation of full stack projects, from initial conceptualization to management, strategic development and execution of ambitious projects.
Editorial Design Expert
October 30, 2024 - October 30, 2024Have delivered full-stack Editorial Design services for two digital 50+ page publications, acting as Editor-in-Chief for both.
Have reviewed written content for spelling and grammar errors. Fact-checking information.
Accepted criteria about style, tone and content.
Editorial design for, content and book covers.
Illustration
Google UX Design
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024Healing through Art
January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025Industry Experience
Professional Services, Consumer Goods, Retail, Education, Healthcare, Media & Entertainment, Travel & Hospitality, Real Estate & Construction
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
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