I am a creative professional specializing in branding and strategic design solutions, with a love for visual storytelling and building cohesive brand identities. I thrive in cross-functional teams across startups, agencies, non-profits, and Fortune 100 accounts. I lead design teams, craft compelling narratives, and deliver high-quality, on-brand assets under tight deadlines, from social media assets to multi-channel campaigns and conference materials.…

Maria Villegas

I am a creative professional specializing in branding and strategic design solutions, with a love for visual storytelling and building cohesive brand identities. I thrive in cross-functional teams across startups, agencies, non-profits, and Fortune 100 accounts. I lead design teams, craft compelling narratives, and deliver high-quality, on-brand assets under tight deadlines, from social media assets to multi-channel campaigns and conference materials.…

Available to hire

I am a creative professional specializing in branding and strategic design solutions, with a love for visual storytelling and building cohesive brand identities. I thrive in cross-functional teams across startups, agencies, non-profits, and Fortune 100 accounts. I lead design teams, craft compelling narratives, and deliver high-quality, on-brand assets under tight deadlines, from social media assets to multi-channel campaigns and conference materials.

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Skills

Experience Level

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Freelance Designer and Art Director at Highlights Early Learning
March 31, 2024 - Present
• Art direction with a team of designers delivering social media assets, email designs, banners, direct mail, and conference materials. • Spearhead creation and implementation of brand guidelines for Highlights Early Learning Program and the Kindness Connections Kit. • Collaborate with marketing and creative teams on early childhood product launches and manage multiple projects under tight deadlines while ensuring brand consistency.
Brand and Marketing Designer at Automotive Keys Group
January 10, 2022 - November 15, 2024
• Developed trust-driven branding and marketing materials that strengthened relationships with automotive locksmiths. • Designed and executed creative assets for multi-channel marketing campaigns, ensuring cohesive branding across digital, print, and social media platforms. • Defined and elevated the visual identity and brand standards across several of the company's brands. • Managed both B2B and B2C marketing efforts, including e-commerce and public relations, resulting in increased brand visibility and market share. • Produced marketing materials and partnered with vendors for numerous trade shows to deliver posters, swag, signage, emails, flyers, website banners and social media.
Freelance Designer/Art Director at Freelance
September 17, 2014 - September 24, 2022
• Collaborated with clients to kick off projects, define target audiences, discuss objectives, branding and visual direction. • Presented initial concepts and designs to clients, ensuring alignment on creative direction, messaging and design. • Crafted compelling visual narratives that communicated the brand voice and tone across multiple channels. • Collaborated with marketing teams, creative directors, copywriters and developers to create engaging and brand aligned marketing materials. • Art direction and design for a variety of digital, print, and social media projects: Illustration, logos, websites, landing pages, emails, brochures, manuals, white papers, trade shows, conferences, logos, direct mail, social media, PowerPoint decks and branding guidelines. Successfully managed multiple projects and deadlines.
Senior Designer at City of Evanston
August 30, 2010 - October 18, 2012
• Art direction and organizational design solutions for print and digital across all departments: Community development, Parks & Recreation, Fire, Police, Cultural Arts, Economic development, Library and Public works. • Designed, branded and launched marketing materials for a wide range of events and programs: Parks & Recreation magazine, Library programs, Ecology center, outdoor concert series, Farmers market and the Mayor’s summer job fair. • Mentored junior designers, freelancers and interns fostering a collaborative and creative team environment. • Managed multiple projects ensuring deadlines were met on time and on budget. • Collaborated with citizen engagement staff, city organizations and city manager.
Art Director at Hamilton Communications
March 4, 2010 - September 20, 2012
• Led the creative direction for Baxter pharmaceutical products and programs. • Spearheaded the rebranding of Advate, a treatment for people with hemophilia. • Rebranded Advate with a copywriter to develop a human-centered campaign that resonated with patients and families driving engagement, trust and brand loyalty. • Organized and directed photo shoots, ensuring creative direction was aligned with Baxter’s objectives and branding. • Presented concepts to clients, internal teams and focus groups. • Managed illustrators, production artists and freelancers. Produced marketing materials for pharmaceutical conferences and events.

Education

B.A. Graphic Design at Columbia College
October 20, 2025 - October 20, 2025
B.A. Sociology at Wheaton College
October 20, 2025 - October 20, 2025

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Healthcare, Non-Profit Organization, Retail, Government, Education, Consumer Goods, Professional Services, Manufacturing, Transportation & Logistics, Media & Entertainment

Skills

Experience Level