Hi there! I’m Maria, an Art Director based in London.
Managing Art Director | Lightspeed
March 2024 – Present time
Drive creative strategy and execution as Managing Art Director for EMEA at Lightspeed, a leading POS and payments platform. Responsible for leading and mentoring a team of designers, collaborating with Marketing, Partnerships and Growth teams on cross-functional projects, and ensuring brand integrity and consistency across all visual communications.
Lead and execute on global go-to-market product launches, growth and brand campaigns, trade shows and bespoke private events leveraging both digital and print channels.
Maria is the driving force behind the EMEA design team. Her capacity to innovate in design while keeping brand identity intact, and to lead by example in a kind though performance-driven manner make her a great leader and a wonderful Art Director.
Clelia Malinverni – Senior Integrated Marketing Manager
Lead Designer | Edenred Payment Solutions (Edenred Group)
February 2023 – February 2024
Led the rollout of a comprehensive company rebrand (by Studio Skulptur), delivering all design assets and developing a robust Figma design library. Partnered cross-functionally to translate business needs into impactful visual solutions, ensuring brand consistency across all digital and print channels. Developed and produced a wide range of materials, including website design, social media assets, event collateral, presentation templates, and expanded illustration and iconography libraries.
Brand Manager | Zendesk
August 2022 – November 2022
Provided creative direction for the Black Friday campaign, overseeing all visual assets and ensuring a cohesive brand experience. Contributed to the art direction of the CX Trends 2023 report, enhancing the interactive elements for optimal user interaction. Managed and mentored one junior designer.
Position impacted by organisational restructuring.
Maria is a supremely talented designer and empathetic manager. She’s agile, and able to adapt the changing situations with poise and grace – yet still delivering high quality work that has impact. A leader and a mentor, Maria would be a wonderful addition to any team.
Sam Bathe – Creative Director at Zendesk
Lead Brand Designer | OpenTable
September 2015 – May 2022
Drove EMEA-focused brand design strategy and creative execution, serving as the creative lead for visual communications across B2C and B2B channels. Provided strategic art direction for integrated campaigns, OOH initiatives, and restaurant testimonials, collaborating with external illustrators and photographers to deliver impactful visual solutions.
Led the adaptation and localisation of OpenTable’s visual identity, ensuring brand consistency and cultural relevance across diverse EMEA markets. Managed and mentored one junior designer, fostering professional development.
Recognised for creative leadership and strategic impact through multiple promotions, from Communication Designer to Lead Brand Designer
I had the privilege of working closely with Maria as my direct manager and brand design lead.
Maria not only brings an outstanding knowledge of design and high aesthetic sense to projects but also demonstrates a strategic mindset that consistently yields exceptional outcomes. She played a pivotal role in shaping, guiding and efficiently executing key projects throughout that period.
Beyond her technical skills, she stands out as an inspiring mentor and team player. With a positive leadership approach she creates a collaborative environment, fostering high-performing results, committed to growth and provides guidance that extends beyond professional development in the most empathetic way.
I can confidently say that Maria would be an asset to any team or organisation fortunate enough to have her on board.
Asaf Hagag – Senior Brand Designer at OpenTable
Graphic Designer | Warm&Fuzzy
March 2012 – August 2015
Executed diverse design projects across multiple industries, delivering creative solutions in a fast-paced studio environment.
I have had the pleasure of working with Maria both as her employer and as a supplier, and am fortunate to have known her for over a decade.
Maria’s creative work is of the very highest standard, and her approach to design is exemplary. She is one of the rare design talents that produce work that is well-considered and embraces the needs of the audience, yet at the same time is visually exciting, brave and often produced at pace.
She is a delight to work with and capable of managing the challenges of handling multiple complex design projects at once and accommodating the demands of different stakeholders.
Maria would be an asset to any business, and I hope that I have more opportunities to work with her again in the future.Lee Flanaghan – Former Creative Director at Warm&Fuzzy
A little bit more about me
Freelance Graphic Designer (Portugal): Developed and executed creative design projects for a diverse portfolio, featuring prominent clients such as Universal Music and Guimarães European Capital of Culture 2012, alongside local businesses.
Education: MA Graphic Branding and Identity, London College of Communication (UAL).
Founding Member of CAAA – Centre for Arts and Architecture Affairs (Guimarães, Portugal), a nonprofit cultural institution whose mission is to support and encourage artistic creation and application of new methods of production.