What led you into design?
Curiosity, experimentation, and a lot of "trial and error."
As a teenager I loved making collages. I’d spend afternoons piecing stuff together, completely lost in the process. I didn’t realize it at the time, but it was my way to express myself. It was all very intuitive, since I had no references or creative influences in my family or friends.
Because of that, a creative path felt like something out of reach. Growing up in Venezuela, creative careers weren’t exactly encouraged, at least back then or in my surroundings. Wanting to fit in, I took the practical route and enrolled in Mechanical Engineering. When friends asked why, I never really had an answer. It just felt like the right thing to do at the time.
A year and a half in, I remember thinking I didn't want to spend my whole life sitting at a desk doing engineering drawings. (Which is ironic, considering what I do now.) So, I switched to Communications, a field that gave me the freedom to explore different creative options without locking me into one, since I knew what I didn’t want but I had no idea what I did want.
While studying that, my parents gave me a digital camera for my birthday. At the time, I was really into social media and wanted to take photos all the time, so I signed up for a photography course and that’s when everything clicked. I fell in love with fashion and conceptual photography and it quickly became my new passion.
In 2017, I moved to Madrid to chase that dream, studying photography at a film and photography school. Every editorial project involved research, moodboard, conceptualization, and ideation—all things I love. My biggest inspiration came from indie magazines and photography books like PURPLE, Dazed, AnOther, Numéro. But I wasn’t just drawn to the photography, I found myself obsessing over the typography, colors, and layouts of these publications, without realizing that design was slowly pulling me in.
When a friend visited me in Madrid and told me about a UX UI bootcamp she was doing I couldn’t help but get curious. One thing led to another, and I decided to give it a shot. That decision changed everything. After finishing the program, I landed my first design job at Redbility, a Madrid-based agency, and that’s where my design career began.
Looking back, I realize that what led me to design was a mix of curiosity, and a willingness to take risks.
What does a typical day look like?
No two of my days look exactly the same. I usually wake up around 7:30, and my favorite part of the morning is having coffee—ideally while journaling, though I’ve fallen out of the habit lately. One thing that never changes is breakfast: avocado toast with eggs before I head out for the day.
I recently started my role at Squarespace, which has brought some changes to my routine. After working fully remotely for the past 3.5 years, I now go into the office twice or three times a week. I’ve been enjoying the shift—getting out of my apartment and seeing my coworkers IRL has been refreshing. On Mondays and Fridays, I work from home or at a nearby coffee shop. Lately, my go-tos have been Coffee Check, Sweetleaf, and RHYTHM ZERO.
On the evenings I like to stay active, whether that’s going on long walks, playing pickleball, working out, or meeting up with friends. One of the things I appreciate most about living in the city is how easily I can adapt and reshape my routine whenever I need to.
What's your workstation setup?
Where do you go to get inspired?
I get inspiration from all sorts of places, and living in New York is a big part of that. I love hearing people’s stories about where they come from and how they ended up where they are in their careers. I also enjoy taking long walks, and I’m constantly coming across people painting murals, putting up posters, or working on local campaigns. These little moments of creativity happening around the city are so inspiring.
I’m also really into interior design and decor, so living here is a huge bonus. There’s so much inspiration to pull from just by being in a space—the vibe of the people, the music playing, the overall energy of the place. NYC has so many cool concept stores, art spots, and fashion scenes.
On a more practical note, I believe inspiration comes when you’re in the process of making things, getting into the "zone." When I see my work starting to come together and heading in a direction I like, it keeps me motivated to keep going. A blank canvas can be a little intimidating, but it’s also a chance to create something new. When I need references, I usually check out magazines and books, and I also spend some time on platforms like Savee, Instagram, and Awwwards to find fresh visual inspiration.
What product have you recently seen that made you think this is great design?
I recently came across Massimo Morozzi’s work, and it’s such a great example of smart, forward-thinking design. His modular table designs really stood out to me. These pieces aren’t just static furniture; they can be rearranged in different ways to fit various spaces and needs, which makes them super versatile.
I also love how his designs play with geometric shapes, color palettes, and this overall sense of fluidity. There’s something really dynamic about them, almost like they’re meant to evolve with the space and the person using them. It’s the kind of design that feels just as relevant today, especially with the growing focus on flexible, multifunctional living.
And, JOON Magazine! It’s such an incredible publication that really captures the energy of Portland’s arts scene. What I really like about JOON is how it shines a light on local artists, designers, and makers, giving them a platform to share their work and stories. There’s this raw, authentic quality to it that makes it feel personal and deeply connected to the city. It’s the kind of magazine that makes you want to dig deeper, discover new talent, and maybe even book another trip back just to experience more of what Portland has to offer.
What pieces of work are you most proud of?
I would say my website was the most challenging for me personally and the piece of work I'm most proud of today. It involved finding my voice and style, deciding which projects to include that truly reflected my vision, and making sure the design was simple to let the projects stand out (and to keep myself from getting bored with it too quickly—though I can't fully guarantee this).
What took the most effort but was also the most enjoyable part was exploring what style I wanted for my portfolio. I had to decide whether I wanted something bold or clean, whether I wanted it to have a lot of personality or let the projects take the spotlight. Once I made those decisions, everything else fell into place easily, especially since I worked alongside an incredible team: Ale Mesa (developer) & Chris Chan (motion designer).
This is also the first time I've decided to share my photography beyond social media, giving it its own dedicated space on the site, alongside my design projects. For me, it was important to include this, as it helps to reflect on my background and what I was doing before starting my career in design.
What design challenges do you face at your company?
I'm still getting settled into the team and projects at Squarespace. However, I'm looking forward to diving deeper and identifying the design challenges as I become more familiar with the company's processes and current initiatives.
What music do you listen to while designing?
Any advice for ambitious designers?
One piece of advice that has stuck with me since my early days at my first agency came from a coworker who said, 'You're like a sponge, you absorb everything.' It's advice I still hold onto today, and one I would share with any designer starting their career, just as I was back then.
I believe it’s crucial to approach design with an open mind, seeing it from different perspectives and being receptive to feedback. Personally, I view feedback as an opportunity to refine and improve my work. So, listen to others' opinions, stay open to different viewpoints, and be patient with yourself as you navigate the design world and discover your own unique voice. And also, put in the hours—because you'll only find that voice through the work and experience you gain along the way.
Anything you want to promote or plug?
Find me on Instagram for all kind of posts, and check my portfolio for design & photography work.
Related Interview
