I’m a graphic designer and illustrator with over ten years of experience creating thoughtful, engaging visual work for brands, small businesses, and community-focused projects. My illustration style is hand-drawn, warm, and approachable, with a strong focus on clarity, storytelling, and emotional connection. Working primarily in ink, watercolor, and digital illustration, I strive to create visuals that feel inclusive, calming, and instantly recognizable. “Nature’s weirdos, brought to life with attitude” reflects the heart of my work — whimsical art full of character and story. Alongside my creative background, I have extensive experience collaborating with clients to translate complex ideas into clear and accessible designs while maintaining consistency across print and digital materials. I’m especially passionate about projects that support communication, wellbeing, and human connection.…

Margot van der Staay

I’m a graphic designer and illustrator with over ten years of experience creating thoughtful, engaging visual work for brands, small businesses, and community-focused projects. My illustration style is hand-drawn, warm, and approachable, with a strong focus on clarity, storytelling, and emotional connection. Working primarily in ink, watercolor, and digital illustration, I strive to create visuals that feel inclusive, calming, and instantly recognizable. “Nature’s weirdos, brought to life with attitude” reflects the heart of my work — whimsical art full of character and story. Alongside my creative background, I have extensive experience collaborating with clients to translate complex ideas into clear and accessible designs while maintaining consistency across print and digital materials. I’m especially passionate about projects that support communication, wellbeing, and human connection.…

Available to hire

I’m a graphic designer and illustrator with over ten years of experience creating thoughtful, engaging visual work for brands, small businesses, and community-focused projects. My illustration style is hand-drawn, warm, and approachable, with a strong focus on clarity, storytelling, and emotional connection. Working primarily in ink, watercolor, and digital illustration, I strive to create visuals that feel inclusive, calming, and instantly recognizable.

“Nature’s weirdos, brought to life with attitude” reflects the heart of my work — whimsical art full of character and story. Alongside my creative background, I have extensive experience collaborating with clients to translate complex ideas into clear and accessible designs while maintaining consistency across print and digital materials.

I’m especially passionate about projects that support communication, wellbeing, and human connection.

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Skills

Experience Level

Language

English
Fluent
Dutch
Fluent

Work Experience

Bookkeeping at JACK & CO CONSULTING
January 31, 2024 - July 5, 2025
Provided small business bookkeeping services using QuickBooks and Hubdoc. Responsibilities included organizing and categorizing receipts, reconciling accounts, managing expense records, and ensuring accurate financial documentation. Maintained clear communication with the client to support smooth monthly reporting and year-end preparation.
Graphic Designer at Staay Art
July 6, 2016 - July 6, 2025
I operate as a self-employed graphic designer and marketing professional. My work involves crafting websites with comprehensive SEO services, assisting small artists in developing marketing plans, and creating their logos, layouts, and other product illustrations.
Graphic Designer at Kasama Marketing
February 1, 2024 - July 6, 2025
Creating graphic designs, conceptualizing ideas, and crafting sample layouts. Developing graphics and layouts for product illustrations, logos, and websites, ensuring they perfectly reflect the unique style of each customer's brand.
Marketing Manager at Mountain Crests
February 1, 2021 - February 1, 2022
After relocating to a new town, they faced difficulty getting noticed. They hired me for a year to attract more customers, make their presence known, and boost their online visibility. The main goal was to sell the company at a profit. I updated their image, which had been the same for 35 years, by creating a new website and introducing fresh sales strategies.
Marketing Manager at Smokkelmolen
February 1, 2016 - March 1, 2020
I contributed to Smokkelmolen, an old historical building that is self-sustaining and rents out rooms. My role involved developing graphics and layouts for product illustrations, the logo, and the website. I ensured these elements mirrored the company's brand style. Additionally, I crafted promotional physical marketing strategies that helped keep them fully booked throughout the year.
Bookkeeping at JACK & CO CONSULTING
January 1, 2024 - June 23, 2024
Provided small business bookkeeping services using QuickBooks and Hubdoc. Responsibilities included organizing and categorizing receipts, reconciling accounts, managing expense records, and ensuring accurate financial documentation. Maintained clear communication with the client to support smooth monthly reporting and year-end preparation.
Graphic Designer at STAAY
January 1, 2016 - June 23, 2024
Operated as a self-employed graphic designer and marketing professional. Work involved crafting websites with comprehensive SEO services, assisting small artists in developing marketing plans, and creating their logos, layouts, and other product illustrations.
Line cook, prep cook at STOKED
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2025
Supported daily kitchen operations in a fast-paced, wood-fired pizza restaurant. Prepared ingredients, assembled menu items, and ensured a clean, organized back-of-house environment. Took on leadership responsibilities in the absence of management, helping maintain workflow, delegating tasks, and ensuring kitchen standards were upheld.
Graphic Designer at KASAMA
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2022
Created graphic designs, conceptualizing ideas, and crafting sample layouts. Developed graphics and layouts for product illustrations, logos, and websites, ensuring they perfectly reflected the unique style of each customer's brand.
Marketing Manager at MOUNTAIN CRESTS
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2022
After relocating to a new town, they faced difficulty getting noticed. Hired for a year to attract more customers, make their presence known, and boost their online visibility. The main goal was to sell the company at a profit. Updated their image, which had been the same for 35 years, by creating a new website and introducing fresh sales strategies.
Manager at Crabapple
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2021
Managed a catering business from the restaurant kitchen under the same name. Created recipes, planned, organized, directed, and controlled the catering operations. Handled food costing and inventory management. Created and maintained an online image, successfully generating more customers for the restaurant.
Chef at TALLSHIP BARK EUROPA
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2020
Spending over a month at sea at a time taught valuable skills in managing limited inventory. Worked alongside another cook, prepared meals for 20-70 people on the ship, adapting to various weather conditions. Gathered supplies in different countries during shore visits and strategically planned for the days ahead.
Marketing management at SMOKKELMOLEN
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2020
Contributed to Smokkelmolen, an old historical building that is self-sustaining and rents out rooms. Developed graphics and layouts for product illustrations, the logo, and the website. Ensured these elements mirrored the company's brand style. Crafted promotional physical marketing strategies that helped keep them fully booked throughout the year.
Graphic Designer/Illustrator/Screenprinter at WILLEMEEN
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016
Designed and made screen prints for posters and other products for commercial use. Designed/illustrated graphics for online communications. Worked at Willemeen, a youth center and concert hall, as a Graphic Designer.
Graphic Designer/Illustrator at VIESROOD GRAPHIC DESIGN
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2015
Worked as a full-time intern preparing illustrations and rough sketches of material, discussed them with clients, made necessary changes. Developed graphics and layouts for product illustrations, logos, and websites mirroring the company brand style.
Bookkeeping at JACK & CO CONSULTING
January 1, 2024 - June 26, 2024
Provided small business bookkeeping services using QuickBooks and Hubdoc. Organized and categorized receipts, reconciled accounts, managed expense records, ensured accurate financial documentation. Maintained clear communication with clients to support smooth monthly reporting and year-end preparation.
Graphic Designer at STAAY
January 1, 2016 - June 26, 2024
Self-employed graphic designer and marketing professional. Created websites with comprehensive SEO services. Assisted small artists in developing marketing plans, creating logos, layouts, and product illustrations.
Line cook, prep cook at STOKED
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2025
Supported daily kitchen operations in a fast-paced, wood-fired pizza restaurant. Prepared ingredients, assembled menu items, maintained clean and organized back-of-house environment. Took on leadership responsibilities in absence of management, delegated tasks, and ensured kitchen standards were upheld.
Graphic Designer at KASAMA
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2022
Created graphic designs, conceptualized ideas, and crafted sample layouts. Developed graphics and layouts for product illustrations, logos, and websites ensuring alignment with each customer's unique brand style.
Marketing Manager at MOUNTAIN CRESTS
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2022
Managed marketing strategy to increase visibility and customer base after relocation. Updated company image and created a new website. Introduced fresh sales strategies to boost company presence and profitability.
Manager at Crabapple
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2021
Managed a catering business from the restaurant kitchen. Created recipes, organized operations, handled food costing and inventory management, and maintained the online image to attract more customers.
Chef at TALLSHIP BARK EUROPA
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2020
Prepared meals for 20-70 people on a ship while managing limited inventory and adapting to various weather conditions. Gathered supplies during shore visits and strategically planned for upcoming days.
Graphic Designer/Illustrator/Screenprinter at WILLEMEEN
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016
Designed and produced screen prints for posters and commercial products. Created visual graphics for online communications supporting youth center and concert hall activities.
Graphic Designer/Illustrator at VIESROOD GRAPHIC DESIGN
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2015
Worked as full-time intern preparing illustrations and sketches, handling client discussions and making adjustments. Developed graphics and layouts reflecting company brand for product illustrations, logos, and websites.
Marketing management at SMOKKELMOLEN
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2020
Developed graphics, layouts, promotional marketing strategies, and maintained a fully booked status year-round for a self-sustaining historical building. Ensured consistency with company brand style and website quality.
Graphic Designer (Remote) at KASAMA
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2022
Creating graphic designs, conceptualizing ideas, and crafting sample layouts. Developing graphics and layouts for product illustrations, logos, and websites, ensuring they perfectly reflect the unique style of each customer's brand.
Graphic Designer (Intern) at KASAMA
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2015
At this agency I worked as a full-time intern. I prepared illustrations and rough sketches of material, discussed them with clients, and made necessary changes. Graphic designs, concepts, and sample layouts. Developed graphics and layouts for product illustrations, logos and websites mirroring the company brand style.
Graphic Designer/Illustrator at VIESROOD GRAPHIC DESIGN
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016
Designed screen prints for posters and other products for commercial use. Furthermore, designed/illustrated graphics for online communications.
Graphic Designer/Illustrator/Screenprinter at WILLEMEEN
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2020
Designed and illustrated graphics for posters and online communications. Screen prints prepared for commercial use.
Graphic Designer (Self-Employed) at STAAY
January 1, 2016 - Present
Self-employed graphic designer with an extensive portfolio and ongoing client work. Reference site www.staay.ca; contact [email protected]; 6042138372.
Chef at TALLSHIP BARK EUROPA
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2021
Managed a catering business from the restaurant kitchen under the same name. Created recipes, planned, organized, directed, and controlled catering operations. Handled food costing and inventory management. Created and maintained an online image, generating more customers for the restaurant. Traveled and cooked for 20-70 people on the ship, coordinating supplies across countries.
Manager at Crabapple
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2022
Relocated to Squamish to boost business visibility. Updated company image, built a new website, and introduced fresh sales strategies with the goal of selling the company at a profit.
Marketing Manager at Mountain Crests
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2020
Developed graphics and layouts for product illustrations, logo, and website. Created promotional strategies to keep the property fully booked throughout the year.
Line Cook / Prep Cook at STOKED
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2025
Supported daily kitchen operations in a fast-paced, wood-fired pizza restaurant. Prepared ingredients, assembled menu items, ensured a clean and organized back-of-house, and demonstrated leadership in the absence of management.

Education

Graphic Design academy at Cibap
September 1, 2011 - June 30, 2015
Graphic Design, Web Design, Illustration, Photography, Product Design
Bachelor Marketing & Business at HKU
July 6, 2025 - July 6, 2025
Marketing, Finance, Bookkeeping, business management, Start-up
3D Character Design at Animschool
July 6, 2025 - July 6, 2025
3D Character Design at Animschool
September 1, 2019 - June 30, 2022
3D character design and FVX
Diploma at Cibap - Zwolle (Netherlands)
January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2015
Bachelor Propedeuse at HKU - Utrecht (Netherlands)
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2016
Diploma at Cibap - Zwolle (Netherlands)
January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2015
Bachelor Propedeuse at HKU - Utrecht (Netherlands)
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2016
Diploma (Graphic Design, Web Design, Illustration, Photography, Product Design) at Cibap - Zwolle, Netherlands
January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2015
Bachelor Propedeuse at HKU - Utrecht, Netherlands
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2016
3D Character Design at FVX Anim School
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2022

Qualifications

3D character design and FVX
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2022
3D character design and FVX
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2022

Industry Experience

Professional Services, Media & Entertainment, Retail, Travel & Hospitality, Other
    paper Label Design/Typography

    I crafted a series of three standout product labels, showcasing my expertise in illustration and typography using Adobe Illustrator and Procreate. The designs feature a playful letter transformation style against a gradient backdrop, a bold 3D graffiti look with vibrant geometric accents, and a textured, nature-inspired typographic approach. Each label blends whimsy with functionality, tailored to enhance brand identity for diverse products like fresh foods or modern beverages. See my website to see the result of this project