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Maria Pineros
Brand Consultant - Graphic Designer - Illustrator
Professional Background
Maria Pineros is an accomplished Graphic Designer and Illustrator renowned for her critical thinking and innovative approach to social design. With a keen interest in the transformative capacity of design, Maria focuses on using her skills to educate, empower, and inspire individuals and communities. Her professional journey is marked by a commitment to implementing inclusive and accessible practices across a diverse array of design mediums, including digital, print, and user experience (UX) strategies.
Throughout her career, Maria has garnered extensive experience through various roles in branding, marketing, and design consultancy. She has held notable positions such as Branding & Marketing Director at Xpand Laces, where she played a pivotal role in shaping the brand's visual identity and marketing strategies. Maria has also contributed her expertise as a Freelance Design Consultant for organizations like Econic Apparel and Art Starts, helping these brands to articulate their unique narratives and enhance their visual engagement through compelling design.
Maria has a strong foundation in both collaborative and independent settings. During her tenure as Production Designer at Koru Distribution, she leveraged her creative skills to ensure that projects met high standards of quality while adhering to the set timelines. As a UX and UI Design Consultant at Royal Canadian Institute for Science (RCIScience), she contributed significantly to elevating user experiences through intuitive design, fostering a deeper connection between the organization and its audience.
Education and Achievements
Maria's educational background has provided her with a solid foundation in design principles and practices. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Design degree in Graphic Design from York University, where she honed her skills in visual communication and design theory. Furthermore, she has a Diploma in Fashion Design from Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology, which enriched her understanding of aesthetics and product development.
In addition to her formal education, Maria participated in a Year Abroad program at Leeds University, where she immersed herself in the exploration of art and design within an international context. This experience broadened her perspective and deepened her appreciation for global design practices.
Maria’s achievements within the design realm are numerous. Her role as Lead Brand Design Consultant for Food Secure Canada allowed her to work on projects that address food security issues through impactful design. Notably, she was part of initiatives that received recognition for promoting sustainable food systems. Similarly, her contributions as a Freelance Graphic Designer for the City of Toronto showcase her ability to engage with civic initiatives and community-focused projects, enhancing public communication through effective design solutions.
Notable Projects and Contributions
Maria has collaborated with various organizations on projects that underline her commitment to social justice and community wellbeing. Her creative insights were particularly valuable in her work with the Ontario Council for International Cooperation, where she contributed as a Freelance Graphic Designer for the Global Changemaker Awards Campaign. This initiative celebrated individuals and organizations making significant impacts on social change, showcasing Maria’s skills in elevating important social dialogues through design.
Moreover, her role as an Editorial Designer at La Guia magazine allowed her to combine her design expertise with editorial content, fostering a rich visual narrative that engages readers. Maria also served as a Creative Intern at the Gardiner Museum, where she gained hands-on experience that further shaped her design philosophy and approach.
Maria’s time at The Public Studio Inc. as a Graphic Design Intern and Freelancer set the stage for her deep understanding of collaborative processes in design, wherein she learned to blend various design elements to convey cohesive messages that resonate with target audiences.
With each position she has held, Maria has left an indelible mark not only through her design work but also by inspiring those around her to think critically about the role of design in fostering positive change. Whether working on branding projects, producing designs for public initiatives, or facilitating engaging visual communication in the digital realm, Maria Pineros embodies a passion for using design to make a difference.
Conclusion
As a seasoned Graphic Designer and Illustrator, Maria Pineros continues to shape narratives and initiatives through her engaging, inclusive, and accessible design strategies. Her strong educational background, coupled with her diverse professional experiences, equips her to address complex design challenges while advocating for social impact. With a clear passion for empowering others through her work, Maria remains committed to pushing the boundaries of design and fostering inclusive practices that resonate on a broader scale.
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Clay offers many advantages over other personal CRMs. Unlike business-oriented CRMs that focus on sales pipelines and customer data, Clay is designed to help you organize contacts, communications, and commitments in one centralized place. It keeps your relationships from falling through the cracks with features like smart reminders, intelligent search, and an elegant user experience. Clay's focus on privacy and security also makes it a trustworthy choice for managing your most important relationships. Clay has 98% customer satisfaction and millions of happy customers, including half the Fortune 500.
Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
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