I am an Integrated Designer from Costa Rica, holding an M.A. from Germany. I currently live in Prague, Czech Republic, with my wife, and I have the legal right to work here. I am actively seeking opportunities for permanent and contract-based projects. My goal is to transition from broader design work to focus on illustration, portraiture art, and photography, and I’m open to exploring options that can help me achieve this path.…

Héctor Daniel Vargas

I am an Integrated Designer from Costa Rica, holding an M.A. from Germany. I currently live in Prague, Czech Republic, with my wife, and I have the legal right to work here. I am actively seeking opportunities for permanent and contract-based projects. My goal is to transition from broader design work to focus on illustration, portraiture art, and photography, and I’m open to exploring options that can help me achieve this path.…

Available to hire

I am an Integrated Designer from Costa Rica, holding an M.A. from Germany. I currently live in Prague, Czech Republic, with my wife, and I have the legal right to work here.

I am actively seeking opportunities for permanent and contract-based projects. My goal is to transition from broader design work to focus on illustration, portraiture art, and photography, and I’m open to exploring options that can help me achieve this path.

See more

Skills

Experience Level

Language

Spanish; Castilian
Fluent
English
Fluent
Portuguese
Beginner
German
Beginner

Work Experience

Freelance Illustrator at Self-employed
March 1, 2023 - Present
Freelance illustration work for private clients and for Visual Media Europe (VME) projects in Prague. Delivered multiple commissions with positive feedback and established returning clients.
Freelance Illustrator and Designer at Visual Media Europe, McKinsey & Company
March 1, 2023 - September 11, 2025
Partnered with VME office on non-client illustration and publishing material. Created cartoon-style illustrations for teams completing engagements and projects. Positive client feedback led to repeat business. Note: some work is confidential and not shareable.
Graphic Designer at McKinsey & Company
February 1, 2016 - September 11, 2025
Supported consultants across multiple industries by transforming ideas into well-designed information graphics, including illustrations, journey maps, infographics, and presentation visuals. Consistently received positive feedback.
Illustrator at La Nación, Libros para Todos
June 1, 2011 - September 11, 2025
Contract for professional services to create illustrations for school and high school books (e.g., Alice in Wonderland, Corazón coraza).
Head Designer at Fine Arts Dean’s Office, Universidad de Costa Rica
December 1, 2011 - September 11, 2025
Led the design team for the Dean’s office; produced online and printed materials including invitations, posters, emails for cultural activities, and promotional material for the annual Fine Arts Fair.
Layout Designer / Illustrator at ILO (OIT) – Costa Rica
January 1, 2008 - September 11, 2025
Layout design and illustration for ILO CSEC publications; collaborated with client in Switzerland and senior supervisor.
Assistant at Barnard Arias
July 1, 2004 - September 11, 2025
Assisted in layout and design of several books for ILO (OIT) projects, using Photoshop, InDesign, Quark and Illustrator.
Pre-press Designer at SIEDIN, Universidad de Costa Rica
April 1, 2010 - September 11, 2025
In charge of design and layout for several university books during pre-press production.
Freelance Illustrator at Self-employed
March 1, 2023 - Present
Freelance illustrator for various clients in Prague; illustrated commissions for private individuals and for CTP; positive feedback.
Freelance Illustrator and Designer at Visual Media Europe (McKinsey & Company)
March 1, 2023 - September 11, 2025
Partnered with the VME office on non-client illustration and publishing material; created cartoon illustrations for teams finishing engagements; positive client feedback; recurring customers.
Graphic Designer at McKinsey & Company
February 1, 2016 - September 11, 2025
Supported consultants across industries to transform ideas and information into well-designed graphics; produced information graphics, illustrations, and infographics; engaged with stakeholders; above 90% positive feedback.
Illustrator at La Nación, Libros para Todos
June 1, 2011 - September 11, 2025
Illustrations for school and high school books (e.g., Alice in Wonderland; Corazón coraza); contract for professional services.
Pre-press Production Designer at SIEDIN, Universidad de Costa Rica
April 1, 2010 - September 11, 2025
In charge of the design and layout of several books produced by the University of Costa Rica; pre-press production tasks.
Layout Designer / Illustrator at ILO CSEC (OIT)
January 1, 2008 - September 11, 2025
Layout design and illustration for ILO CSEC publication; supervised by Eric Hidalgo; involved in constant client communication (Switzerland).
Assistant at Barnard Arias
July 1, 2004 - September 11, 2025
Layout and design of several books for ILO (OIT) using Photoshop, InDesign, Quark, and Illustrator.
Freelance Illustrator at Self-employed (Freelance)
March 1, 2023 - Present
Freelance illustrator based in Prague, working with various clients. Fulfilling illustration commissions for private clients and corporate projects (e.g., CTP). Consistent positive feedback from clients and opportunities for repeat engagements.
Freelance Illustrator and Designer at McKinsey & Company / Visual Media Europe
March 1, 2023 - September 11, 2025
Partnered with Visual Media Europe for non-client illustration and publishing material. Created cartoon illustrations for teams completing engagements and projects. Positive client feedback led to returning work. Note: some materials confidential.
Graphic Designer at McKinsey & Company (Costa Rica) / Visual Media Europe
February 1, 2016 - September 11, 2025
Supported consultants across industries by transforming ideas into well-designed information graphics, including illustration, from-to’s, transformational journeys, and infographics. Perceived as a thought partner with high stakeholder engagement.
Illustrator at La Nación, Libros para Todos
June 1, 2011 - September 11, 2025
Illustrations for school and high school books, including classics such as Alice in Wonderland and Corazón coraza.
Head Designer / Assistant at Fine Arts Dean’s Office (Decanato de Bellas Artes), University of Costa Rica
December 1, 2011 - September 11, 2025
Lead designer for the office; produced all online and printed materials, invitations, posters, emails for cultural activities, and promotional material for the Feria de Bellas Artes.
Pre-Press Designer at SIEDIN, Universidad de Costa Rica
April 1, 2010 - Present
In charge of design and layout for pre-press production of several university books.
Layout Designer and Illustrator at ILO CSEC (OIT)
January 1, 2008 - September 11, 2025
Designed layouts and illustrations for a publication; required constant client communication with Switzerland.
Assistant for Barnard Arias at Barnard Arias
July 1, 2004 - September 11, 2025
Worked on the layout and design of several books for ILO (OIT) using Photoshop, InDesign, Quark, and Illustrator.
Freelance Illustrator at Self-employed – Prague, Czech Republic
March 1, 2023 - Present
Freelance illustration work for diverse clients in Prague; completed commissions for private clients and for CTP; received positive feedback.
Freelance Illustrator and Designer at Visual Media Europe (for McKinsey & Company)
March 1, 2023 - September 11, 2025
Partnered with VME to produce non-client illustration and publishing material; mainly cartoon illustrations for teams finishing engagements and projects. Positive client feedback and repeat work.
Graphic Designer at McKinsey & Company
February 1, 2016 - September 11, 2025
Supported consultants in transforming ideas into well-designed information graphics; created illustrations, infographics, and more; engaged with stakeholders. High client satisfaction.
Illustrator at La Nación, Libros para Todos
June 1, 2011 - September 11, 2025
Illustrations for school and high school books, including works such as Alice in Wonderland and Corazón coraza.
Head Designer / Assistant at Fine Arts Dean’s Office, Universidad de Costa Rica
December 1, 2011 - September 11, 2025
Lead designer for the entire office; produced online and printed materials for cultural activities and the annual Fine Arts Fair.
Pre-press / Designer (Contract) at SIEDIN, Universidad de Costa Rica
April 1, 2010 - Present
Contract for professional services to work on pre-press production.
Layout Designer / Illustrator at ILO CSEC (International Labour Organization)
January 1, 2008 - September 11, 2025
Layout design and illustration for book publication; worked with client in Switzerland.
Assistant at Barnard Arias (ILO project)
July 1, 2004 - September 11, 2025
Layout and design of several books for ILO using Photoshop, InDesign, Quark, and Illustrator.

Education

Master of Arts in Integrated Design at Hochschule Anhalt (Dessau) - Department of Design
April 1, 2016 - July 1, 2017
Licence degree in Graphic Design at University of Costa Rica (UCR)
November 1, 2011 - November 1, 2011
Bachelor degree in Graphic Design at University of Costa Rica (UCR)
April 1, 2009 - April 1, 2009
Master of Arts in Integrated Design at Hochschule Anhalt – Department of Design, Dessau (MAID International Program)
April 1, 2016 - July 31, 2017
Licence degree in Graphic Design at University of Costa Rica (UCR)
November 1, 2011 - November 1, 2011
Bachelor degree in Graphic Design at University of Costa Rica (UCR)
April 1, 2009 - April 1, 2009
Bachelor of Graphic Design at University of Costa Rica (UCR)
April 1, 2009 - September 11, 2025
Licence degree in Graphic Design at University of Costa Rica (UCR)
November 1, 2011 - September 11, 2025
Master of Arts in Integrated Design (MAID) at Hochschule Anhalt (Fachbereich Design, Dessau) / Anhalt University
April 1, 2016 - July 1, 2017
Master of Arts in Integrated Design at Fachbereich Design Dessau Department of Design, Anhalt Hochschule
April 1, 2016 - July 1, 2017
Licence degree on Graphic Design at University of Costa Rica (UCR)
November 1, 2011 - September 11, 2025
Bachelor degree on Graphic Design at University of Costa Rica (UCR)
April 1, 2009 - September 11, 2025

Qualifications

McKinsey & Company Forward Program
May 1, 2024 - September 11, 2025
Service Experience Camp 2018 (SXC18)
November 1, 2018 - September 11, 2025
Digital painting course
January 1, 2015 - March 1, 2015
One week workshop with Felix Beltrán (Brand redesign)
August 1, 2009 - August 7, 2009
McKinsey Forward Program
May 1, 2024 - September 11, 2025
Service Experience Camp 2018 (SXC18)
November 1, 2018 - September 11, 2025
Digital painting course
January 1, 2015 - March 1, 2015
McKinsey Forward Program
May 1, 2024 - September 11, 2025
Service Experience Camp 2018 (SXC18)
November 1, 2018 - September 11, 2025
Digital Painting Course
January 1, 2015 - March 1, 2015
One-week workshop with Félix Beltrán (Brand Redesign)
September 1, 2007 - September 1, 2007
McKinsey Forward Program
May 1, 2024 - September 11, 2025
Service Experience Camp 2018 (SXC18)
November 1, 2018 - September 11, 2025

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Education, Other

Skills

Experience Level