Available to hire
I’m Maria Mokina, an art director and graphic designer based in Edinburgh. I lead design teams, craft brand identities, and deliver across marketing campaigns, websites, and editorial layouts. I thrive on turning strategic goals into visually compelling concepts and high-response outcomes.
Over more than a decade I’ve built and run design departments, collaborated with premium fashion retailers and publishers, and mentored teams of designers and photo studios. My work blends storytelling, craft, and a hands-on, coffee-fueled approach to getting things done.
Skills
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
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Expert
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Expert
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Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Language
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Co-owner, art director, graphic designer at Hedonist Magazine London
May 1, 2016 - October 19, 2025Cover and layout design; developing features and visual content for covers and inside pages; writing articles; managing photoshoots; creating advertisements and graphics; prepress; website design and content support; coordinating editors, stylists, makeup artists and photographers for distribution.
Graphic designer at Quintet Publishing Ltd., Quarto Group
May 1, 2016 - October 19, 2025Cover and layout design; creating and managing ideas for features, text and visual content for covers and inside pages; writing articles; managing photoshoots; creating advertisements and graphics; prepress; website design and support; distribution.
Art director at Butik
September 1, 2017 - October 19, 2025Created and led a design department with 4 designers, built business processes and regulations; managed online/offline creative activities including website visuals, email campaigns, PPC content, and in-store POS; developed a new brand identity and contributed to website launch with a lead UI/UX designer; styled photoshoots.
Art directing and Graphic design at BE TA
February 1, 2024 - October 19, 2025Created concepts and key visuals aligned with strategic goals; presented ideas to clients; branding and rebranding; developed creative concepts and KV; website and print design; collaborated with Creative Director and lead UI/UX designers; POS materials and branding updates.
Co-owner, art director, graphic designer at Hedonist Magazine London
February 1, 2024 - PresentContinued magazine projects including editorial design, branding, and visual storytelling for distribution to galleries, museums, and partners.
Art Director at BE TA (Beta) – a multi-award-winning creative agency
February 1, 2024 - October 19, 2025Art directing and graphic design for campaigns; branding and rebranding; development of key visuals; collaboration with lead UI/UX designers; production oversight for print and digital collateral.
Co-owner, Art Director & Graphic Designer at Hedonist Magazine London
February 1, 2024 - PresentCo-owner and lead art director/graphic designer for a London-based magazine; responsible for brand identity, editorial layout, cover design, photoshoots coordination, and website content.
Graphic Designer at Quintet Publishing Ltd., Quarto Group
May 1, 2016 - October 19, 2025Cover and layout design; developing features and visuals for covers and inside pages; writing articles; managing photoshoots; prepress; website design and content.
Art Director at BUTIK, Moscow
September 1, 2017 - October 19, 2025Created and led a design department (4 designers) from scratch; defined business processes; managed online and offline creative activities including website content, POSM, and photography styling; developed brand identity.
Art Director at BUTIK, premium fashion retailer (Moscow)
February 1, 2024 - October 19, 2025Created and led a design department with 4 designers, wrote business processes and regulations; Managed and produced all creative activities online and offline (website, emailing, PPC advertising visual content, store visuals, POSM); Developed a new brand identity; Participated in development/launch of a new website; Styled photoshoots.
Freelance Art Director & Graphic Designer at Freelance (London, Moscow, Amsterdam, Edinburgh)
February 1, 2024 - PresentArt direction and graphic design for clients; projects included branding, web and print campaigns; collaboration with The Clients (Moscow office) & Border Zero (Dubai office); involved in concept development and KV creation.
Co-owner, Art Director, Graphic Designer at Quintet Publishing Ltd., Quarto Group (London/Brighton)
June 1, 2018 - October 19, 2025Cover and layout design; developing new title ideas; managing features, text and visual content for covers and inside pages; writing articles; managing photoshoots; prepress; website design; distribution.
Graphic Designer at Quintet Publishing Ltd., Quarto Group (London/Brighton)
May 1, 2016 - October 19, 2025Cover and layout design; paper engineering and book dummies; creating design mockups for photoshoots; preparing text and colour plates; prepress; production liaison; developing book ideas and marketing visuals.
Education
Graphic design BA at The University of Hertfordshire
May 1, 2011Modules included Graphic design and Illustration projects (editorial design, brand identity, animation, typography etc.), Critical and Cultural Studies, software experiences, live projects, pitching, and creating
a professional portfolio.
BA Graphic Design at The University of Hertfordshire
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2011BA Sociology of Communication System at Lomonosov Moscow State University
January 11, 2030 - June 1, 2007Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design at The University of Hertfordshire
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2011BA in Sociology of Communication Systems at Lomonosov Moscow State University
January 11, 2030 - June 1, 2007BA in Graphic Design at The University of Hertfordshire
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2011BA in Sociology of Communication Systems at Lomonosov Moscow State University
January 11, 2030 - June 1, 2007Qualifications
Industry Experience
Media & Entertainment, Retail, Real Estate & Construction, Education, Gaming, Professional Services, Other
Skills
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
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Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
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