I am a Basel-based branding and packaging designer with a passion for translating products into compelling brand stories. Over a decade of experience across consumer goods, fashion packaging, and corporate identity has sharpened my eye for typography, color, and material choices that elevate brands on shelves and screens. Currently, I run an independent design practice focused on branding, packaging, and a luxury handbag brand based in Basel. I collaborate with production teams, suppliers, and print partners to deliver strategic visuals and authentic storytelling that resonate with discerning audiences.…

Karina Montiel

PRO

I am a Basel-based branding and packaging designer with a passion for translating products into compelling brand stories. Over a decade of experience across consumer goods, fashion packaging, and corporate identity has sharpened my eye for typography, color, and material choices that elevate brands on shelves and screens. Currently, I run an independent design practice focused on branding, packaging, and a luxury handbag brand based in Basel. I collaborate with production teams, suppliers, and print partners to deliver strategic visuals and authentic storytelling that resonate with discerning audiences.…

Available to hire

I am a Basel-based branding and packaging designer with a passion for translating products into compelling brand stories. Over a decade of experience across consumer goods, fashion packaging, and corporate identity has sharpened my eye for typography, color, and material choices that elevate brands on shelves and screens.

Currently, I run an independent design practice focused on branding, packaging, and a luxury handbag brand based in Basel. I collaborate with production teams, suppliers, and print partners to deliver strategic visuals and authentic storytelling that resonate with discerning audiences.

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Skills

Experience Level

Language

Spanish; Castilian
Fluent
English
Advanced
German
Beginner

Work Experience

Independent Designer at Luxury Handbag Brand (in development)
September 1, 2024 - Present
Concept development and strategic positioning of a luxury handbag brand; handbag design, materials research, and supplier sourcing; development of brand identity and visual direction within the luxury market; definition of brand storytelling and visual communication; research of distribution strategy and quality standards.
Packaging Graphic Designer at Productos Virgen del Brezo
February 1, 2022 - July 31, 2024
Packaging design and development for consumer food brands; collaboration with production teams and printing partners; adaptation of packaging to regulatory and production requirements.
Graphic Design Junior- Freelance at Pfoetli Schweiz AG
January 1, 2020 - March 31, 2020
Packaging design for the Swiss pharmaceutical industry; professional illustration for advertising materials; compliance with sector regulations.
Packaging Graphic Designer at Productos Virgen del Brezo
January 1, 2016 - February 28, 2019
Designed and developed 30+ packaging solutions compliant with regulatory standards; improved functionality and visual appeal at the point of sale; conducted 70+ product photography sessions for marketing and catalog use; collaboration with production and printing partners; compliance with regulatory and production requirements.
Founder & Creative Director at Frik Design
March 1, 2008 - November 30, 2011
Development of corporate identity and branding projects; graphic design and illustration for commercial products; design and production of printed materials; coordination of printing processes, including sublimation.
Packaging Graphic Designer at Productos Virgen del Brezo, Palencia, Spain
February 1, 2022 - July 1, 2024
Packaging design and development for consumer food brands; Collaboration with production teams and printing partners; Adaptation of packaging to regulatory and production requirements
Graphic Design Junior - Freelance at Pfoetli Schweiz AG, Zug, Switzerland
January 1, 2020 - March 1, 2020
Packaging design for the Swiss pharmaceutical industry; Professional illustration for advertising materials; Compliance with sector regulations
Packaging Graphic Designer at Productos Virgen del Brezo, Palencia, Spain
January 1, 2016 - February 1, 2019
Designed and developed 30+ packaging solutions compliant with regulatory standards; Improved functionality and visual appeal at the point of sale; Conducted 70+ product photography sessions for marketing and catalog use; Collaboration with production and printing partners
Founder & Creative Director at Frik Design, Mexico City
March 1, 2008 - November 1, 2011
Development of corporate identity and branding projects; Graphic design and illustration for commercial products; Design and production of printed materials; Coordination of printing processes, including sublimation

Education

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Graphic Design at University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)
September 1, 2012 - December 14, 2014
Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Graphic Design at Institute of Visual Communication (FHNW), Basel, Switzerland
September 1, 2012 - December 10, 2014
Bachelor of Graphic Design at Universidad del Valle de Mexico (UVM), Villahermosa campus, Tabasco
September 1, 2001 - September 1, 2006
MFA in Graphic Design at University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)
September 1, 2012 - December 14, 2014
MAS in Graphic Design (Advanced Studies) at Institute of Visual Communication (FHNW), Basel, Switzerland
September 1, 2012 - December 10, 2014
Bachelor Degree in Graphic Design (GD) at Universidad del Valle de Mexico (UVM), Campus Villahermosa, Tabasco
September 1, 2001 - September 1, 2006
Master in 3D with Maya Autodesk (part-time) at Trazos School, Madrid, Spain
November 1, 2019 - March 1, 2020
Specialty in Bag Design and Production at University of the Art London (UAL) – London College of Fashion
July 1, 2018 - May 19, 2026
Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design (MFA) at University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)
September 1, 2012 - December 14, 2014
Integrated MAS in Graphic Design (Advanced Studies) at Institute of Visual Communication, Basel (FHNW)
September 1, 2012 - December 10, 2014
Bachelor Degree in Graphic Design (GD) at Universidad del Valle de Mexico (UVM), Villahermosa Campus
September 1, 2001 - September 1, 2006
Master in 3D with Maya Autodesk (part-time) at Trazos School, Madrid, Spain
November 1, 2019 - March 1, 2020
Specialty in Bag Design and Production at University of the Art London (UAL), London College of Fashion
July 1, 2018 - July 31, 2018

Qualifications

Master in 3D with Maya Autodesk (part-time)
November 1, 2019 - March 1, 2020
Specialty in Bag Design and Production
July 1, 2018 - April 22, 2026
Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design (MFA)
September 1, 2012 - December 14, 2014
Integrated MAS in Graphic Design (Advanced Studies)
September 1, 2012 - December 10, 2014
Master in 3D with Maya Autodesk (part-time)
November 1, 2019 - March 1, 2020
Specialty in Bag Design and Production
July 1, 2018 - July 31, 2018

Industry Experience

Consumer Goods, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Retail, Professional Services, Media & Entertainment

Skills

Experience Level