I am Maya Bernard, a multidisciplinary designer blending branding, digital and print design, visual storytelling, and creative direction to craft cohesive aesthetic experiences. I am proficient in the Adobe Creative Suite, Affinity, and cross-platform design strategy, and I enjoy merging art, fashion, and film to create narrative works that resonates.…

Maya Bernard / Ru

I am Maya Bernard, a multidisciplinary designer blending branding, digital and print design, visual storytelling, and creative direction to craft cohesive aesthetic experiences. I am proficient in the Adobe Creative Suite, Affinity, and cross-platform design strategy, and I enjoy merging art, fashion, and film to create narrative works that resonates.…

Available to hire

I am Maya Bernard, a multidisciplinary designer blending branding, digital and print design, visual storytelling, and creative direction to craft cohesive aesthetic experiences.
I am proficient in the Adobe Creative Suite, Affinity, and cross-platform design strategy, and I enjoy merging art, fashion, and film to create narrative works that resonates.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Author & Editor at Independent Creative Work (as Maya Ru)
January 1, 2015 - Present
Author & Editor for 'Chronically, Bone Deep' (2024) and 'These Dark Things' anthology (2024). Designed book covers and layouts, overseeing visual identity and print/digital production.
Creative Director at Summer Bummer (Independent Film Project)
December 31, 2023 - September 23, 2025
Led visual direction, branding, and aesthetic strategy for an independent film project. Created an engaging narrative that integrates fashion and emotion into a cohesive film experience. Coordinated a film release event at the Kimball Arts Center in Chicago, IL.
Art Director at Subcultures
December 31, 2018 - September 23, 2025
Developed visual concepts, photo editing, and catalogue design in Photoshop and InDesign; organized exhibition and launch event at Siman HKOS Dance Company.
Founder & Creative Director at RuPink Accessories
December 31, 2020 - September 23, 2025
Designed jewelry brand and created artistic direction and marketing efforts through fashion shows, creative material for advertisement, and costuming for short films.
Program Coordinator (Design & Communication Focus) at Chicago Public Art Group
November 30, 2022 - September 23, 2025
Designed promotional materials, digital communications, and press releases for exhibitions and events. Contributed catalogue design and copy for Private Notes, Public Rhythms exhibition. Coordinated large-scale fundraiser and managed guest engagement for 150+ attendees.
Programming Graduate Assistant at KID smART
May 30, 2022 - September 22, 2025
Created organizational materials for digital distribution and professional development. Supported marketing campaigns and fundraising design strategy, contributing to $13,000 raised. Managed donor engagement using Bloomerang CRM.

Education

M.A. Arts Administration at University of New Orleans
August 1, 2020 - May 1, 2022
B.A. Fashion Business at Columbia College Chicago
August 1, 2013 - May 1, 2017

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Education, Non-Profit Organization, Retail
    uniE621 Summer Bummer Fashion Film
    Bouy Films wanted to create a fashion film to diversify their media, and brought me on to conceptualize the process. Considering budget, production timing and setting restrictions, I came up with the idea of a road trip gone south. I played with themes of retrofuturism and camp to create an interesting blend of fashion and film aesthetics. These themes also lend to a cost-effective production. Most of the cinematography was shot on the open road. A majority of the wardrobe was taken from vintage and thrift stores. Select styles, such as Phoenix the Alien’s space outfit, were curated based on the film concept and reference points in media, like The Fifth Element. Each costume was designed and restyled to fit the aesthetics of a space western.…
    uniE621 ParaWorld Art Direction
    Started in 2019, ParaWorld is a supernatural action/adventure comic. From the initial concept to the cover design and layout, I have worked to create a truly out of this world comic.…
    uniE621 Star Anise Cover Design
    It always made sense to design the cover around Anise’s guitar pick. The pick is the driving force behind the story. I thought it was essential to center the pick as a beacon, in the same way it is for our main character, Freida. Circling in on the key takeaways of the book (finding signs in the mundane, witchy rockstars, and obsession over an ex), I thought about highlighting the book in an everyday liminal space and allowing the cover design to be a beacon in the surrounding environment.…
    uniE621 FKA Twigs new Album Design (mockup design)
    Self-referencing her first and last albums, this album design shows FKA Twigs's transformation into her latest form. The title, 'Metamorphosis' speaks to that rebirth process into her newest project.…
    uniE621 RuPINK Logo Design
    The RuPink logo has gone through its own transformation. Initially, its design was created to spark curiosity and play. The graffiti typeface expresses an alignment with creative counter-cultural movements, street wear aesthetics, and societal awareness. As the digital age progresses, I realized the need for a logo that could read clearly and consistently at any size.…