I am a Portuguese Graphic Designer and have over 9 years of experience in the design field, having collaborated with companies at an international level. I have a strong passion for branding, creative direction, illustration, editorial design, web design and started to work with AI Tools to improve my projects. I am highly versatile — I often say, jokingly, that I’m like an octopus!

Mariana Fidalgo

I am a Portuguese Graphic Designer and have over 9 years of experience in the design field, having collaborated with companies at an international level. I have a strong passion for branding, creative direction, illustration, editorial design, web design and started to work with AI Tools to improve my projects. I am highly versatile — I often say, jokingly, that I’m like an octopus!

Next availability:
May 1, 2026

I am a Portuguese Graphic Designer and have over 9 years of experience in the design field, having collaborated with companies at an international level.
I have a strong passion for branding, creative direction, illustration, editorial design, web design and started to work with AI Tools to improve my projects. I am highly versatile — I often say, jokingly, that I’m like an octopus!

See more

Language

Portuguese
Fluent
English
Fluent

Work Experience

Graphic Design Intern at ESMAD - Escola Superior de Media Artes e Design (Communication and Image Office)
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2018
Graphic Design Intern at the Communication and Image Office at ESMAD. Supported the development of internal and external communication materials, assisted in layout, branding, and editorial tasks, and collaborated with the team on design projects.
Junior Designer at Project C (Porto) - Communication Agency
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2020
Professional Internship with IEFP and Junior Designer at Project C (Porto). Assisted in design projects for clients, contributed to branding and editorial design, and supported creative production.
Founder and Head Designer at Merge — The Social Magazine
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2022
Founder and Head Designer leading branding, editorial design, and creative direction for Merge and related projects; coordinated multidisciplinary teams and oversaw magazine production.
Designer at Selina Hospitality PLC
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2022
Designer at Selina Hospitality PLC (international hostel chain), later promoted to Senior Designer, contributing to brand visuals, editorial pieces, and production.
Head of Design at Unidos Contra o Desperdício
January 1, 2020 - Present
Head of Design at Unidos Contra o Desperdício (Lisbon).
Collaborator at M A Studio
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Collaborator with M A Studio on design projects and creative direction.
Collaborator at Hannah May Studio
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Collaborator with Hannah May Studio (Maybe Design Studio) on design projects and creative direction.
Head of Design and Creative Direction at Doca da Marinha, Street Food Market, and Banana Cafe
January 1, 2022 - Present
Head of Design and Creative Direction; responsible for creative direction and design of all events and festivals held at Doca da Marinha in Lisbon.
Collaborator at Merge Studio
January 1, 2022 - Present
Collaborator as Illustrator and Designer at Merge Studio (Porto).
Collaborator at Studio Pira
January 1, 2023 - Present
Collaborated with Studio Pira (Lisbon) on MASANA—the graphic identity for a luxury condominium.
Graphic Design Intern at Communication and Image Office, ESMAD - Instituto Politécnico do Porto
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2018
Internship supporting graphic design and communications tasks.
Junior Designer (Professional Internship) at Communication Agency: Project C (Porto)
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2020
Professional internship with IEFP; contributed as junior designer in communications projects.
Head of Design at Unidos Contra o Desperdício
January 1, 2023 - Present
Head of Design for a Lisbon-based initiative.
Collaborator at Merge Studio
January 1, 2020 - Present
Illustrator and Designer collaborator.
Graphic Design Intern at Communication and Image Office at ESMAD, Instituto Politécnico do Porto
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2018
Internship supporting graphic design projects, coordinating visual assets, and assisting the design team at ESMAD.
Designer (later Senior Designer) at Selina Hospitality PLC
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2022
Branding and design work for an international hostel chain; promoted to Senior Designer during tenure.
Collaborator at Hannah May Studio (Maybe Design Studio)
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Design collaboration and creative direction for multiple projects.
Illustrator and Designer at Merge Studio
January 1, 2020 - Present
Collaborator providing illustration and design work for Merge Studio.
Creative Director / Brand Designer at Terra (collaboration with Studio Merge)
January 1, 2025 - Present
Creative direction and branding for Terra, an event planned for 2026 in collaboration with Studio Merge.
Brand Designer / Creative Direction at Gravitate - festival
January 1, 2025 - Present
Official brand designer for Gravitate festival (dance-focused).

Education

Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design and Advertising at ESMAD – Escola Superior de Media Artes e Design, Instituto Politécnico do Porto
January 11, 2030 - December 17, 2025
Master's degree in Design at ESMAD – Escola Superior de Media Artes e Design, Instituto Politécnico do Porto
January 11, 2030 - December 17, 2025
Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design and Advertising at ESMAD - Escola Superior de Media Artes e Design, Instituto Politécnico do Porto
January 11, 2030 - December 17, 2025
Master's degree in Design at ESMAD - Escola Superior de Media Artes e Design, Instituto Politécnico do Porto
January 11, 2030 - December 17, 2025
Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design and Advertising at ESMAD - Escola Superior de Media Artes e Design, Instituto Politécnico do Porto
January 11, 2030 - March 13, 2026
Master's degree in Design at ESMAD - Escola Superior de Media Artes e Design, Instituto Politécnico do Porto
January 11, 2030 - March 13, 2026

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design and Advertising
January 11, 2030 - December 17, 2025
Master's degree in Design
January 11, 2030 - December 17, 2025
Workshop: Experimental Poetry
January 1, 2022 - December 17, 2025
Lecture: From Immaterial to Material Culture: Exploring Portuguese Popular Adages Through Experimental Typo/Poetry
January 1, 2024 - December 17, 2025

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Travel & Hospitality, Retail, Education, Professional Services, Software & Internet