About

Hi there!

I create user-centered designs for brands looking to turn ideas into impactful experiences.

Hi, I’m Maria! I’m a UX/UI Designer based in the Chicago, Illinois area, passionate about creating digital experiences that feel effortless and engaging. I work with businesses and organizations to design solutions that connect with users and bring ideas to life.

My Journey

How I Got Here

I’ve always been a creative problem solver, drawn to understanding people and how they interact with the world around them. Growing up, empathy was at the center of everything I did. It’s this natural curiosity and care for others that led me to UX design, where I can combine creativity, psychology, and technology to create experiences that truly meet people’s needs.

What excites me most about UX is the opportunity to solve real problems for real people, creating intuitive, accessible, and meaningful experiences that make everyday tasks easier and more enjoyable. My background in marketing and graphic design has taught me that good design isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about connecting with users and achieving results that matter.

Now, I bring that same curiosity and empathy to every project. I notice, I ask, I understand, and then I build something that matters and helps businesses connect with their users in ways that make a difference.

What I Can Do

I create user-centered digital experiences guided by empathy, research, and intentional design.

User Research & Strategy

I start every project by understanding the people I’m designing for. Through research methods like interviews, testing, and analysis, I uncover user needs, behaviors, and pain points that inform thoughtful design decisions. My goal is to translate insights into clear direction, ensuring every solution is grounded in empathy and real user context rather than assumptions.

UX Design

I design intuitive, user-centered experiences that prioritize clarity and ease of use. I focus on creating logical flows and meaningful interactions that guide users naturally through a product. By balancing user needs with project goals, I aim to create experiences that feel simple, intentional, and genuinely helpful.

UI & Visual Design

With a background in visual and graphic design, I bring a strong sense of hierarchy, layout, and brand consistency to my work. I design interfaces that are visually engaging while remaining accessible and easy to navigate. Every visual decision I make supports usability and enhances the overall experience rather than distracting from it.

Prototyping & Interaction Design

Prototyping allows me to explore ideas, test interactions, and refine experiences before they’re finalized. I use prototypes to communicate concepts clearly, gather feedback, and iterate thoughtfully. This process helps ensure interactions feel natural and intuitive from the user’s perspective.

Accessibility & Inclusive Design

I design with accessibility in mind to ensure experiences are usable by as many people as possible. From color contrast and typography choices to clear navigation and interaction patterns, I strive to create inclusive designs that consider diverse abilities and needs. Accessibility isn’t an afterthought—it’s a core part of my design process.

Collaboration & Communication

I thrive in collaborative environments and value open communication throughout the design process. I enjoy sharing ideas, participating in critiques, and incorporating feedback to strengthen my work. By approaching collaboration with empathy and clarity, I contribute to teams that create thoughtful, well-informed design solutions.

User Research & Strategy

I start every project by understanding the people I’m designing for. Through research methods like interviews, testing, and analysis, I uncover user needs, behaviors, and pain points that inform thoughtful design decisions. My goal is to translate insights into clear direction, ensuring every solution is grounded in empathy and real user context rather than assumptions.

UX Design

I design intuitive, user-centered experiences that prioritize clarity and ease of use. I focus on creating logical flows and meaningful interactions that guide users naturally through a product. By balancing user needs with project goals, I aim to create experiences that feel simple, intentional, and genuinely helpful.

UI & Visual Design

With a background in visual and graphic design, I bring a strong sense of hierarchy, layout, and brand consistency to my work. I design interfaces that are visually engaging while remaining accessible and easy to navigate. Every visual decision I make supports usability and enhances the overall experience rather than distracting from it.

Prototyping & Interaction Design

Prototyping allows me to explore ideas, test interactions, and refine experiences before they’re finalized. I use prototypes to communicate concepts clearly, gather feedback, and iterate thoughtfully. This process helps ensure interactions feel natural and intuitive from the user’s perspective.

Accessibility & Inclusive Design

I design with accessibility in mind to ensure experiences are usable by as many people as possible. From color contrast and typography choices to clear navigation and interaction patterns, I strive to create inclusive designs that consider diverse abilities and needs. Accessibility isn’t an afterthought—it’s a core part of my design process.

Collaboration & Communication

I thrive in collaborative environments and value open communication throughout the design process. I enjoy sharing ideas, participating in critiques, and incorporating feedback to strengthen my work. By approaching collaboration with empathy and clarity, I contribute to teams that create thoughtful, well-informed design solutions.

User Research & Strategy

I start every project by understanding the people I’m designing for. Through research methods like interviews, testing, and analysis, I uncover user needs, behaviors, and pain points that inform thoughtful design decisions. My goal is to translate insights into clear direction, ensuring every solution is grounded in empathy and real user context rather than assumptions.

UX Design

I design intuitive, user-centered experiences that prioritize clarity and ease of use. I focus on creating logical flows and meaningful interactions that guide users naturally through a product. By balancing user needs with project goals, I aim to create experiences that feel simple, intentional, and genuinely helpful.

UI & Visual Design

With a background in visual and graphic design, I bring a strong sense of hierarchy, layout, and brand consistency to my work. I design interfaces that are visually engaging while remaining accessible and easy to navigate. Every visual decision I make supports usability and enhances the overall experience rather than distracting from it.

Prototyping & Interaction Design

Prototyping allows me to explore ideas, test interactions, and refine experiences before they’re finalized. I use prototypes to communicate concepts clearly, gather feedback, and iterate thoughtfully. This process helps ensure interactions feel natural and intuitive from the user’s perspective.

Accessibility & Inclusive Design

I design with accessibility in mind to ensure experiences are usable by as many people as possible. From color contrast and typography choices to clear navigation and interaction patterns, I strive to create inclusive designs that consider diverse abilities and needs. Accessibility isn’t an afterthought—it’s a core part of my design process.

Collaboration & Communication

I thrive in collaborative environments and value open communication throughout the design process. I enjoy sharing ideas, participating in critiques, and incorporating feedback to strengthen my work. By approaching collaboration with empathy and clarity, I contribute to teams that create thoughtful, well-informed design solutions.

Testimonials

Words from Clients

“Your professionalism and collaborative ideas significantly improved our website’s user experience, while your dedication strengthened our mission and made it more accessible to those who need it”.

“Your professionalism and collaborative ideas significantly improved our website’s user experience, while your dedication strengthened our mission and made it more accessible to those who need it”.

-Father Gustavo Adolfo Gutierrez [Director]

-Father Gustavo Adolfo Gutierrez [Director]

“Maria demonstrated initiative, creativity, and strong organizational skills that brought key projects to completion, including a thoughtful website audit that streamlined the user experience and enhanced our online presence.”

“Maria demonstrated initiative, creativity, and strong organizational skills that brought key projects to completion, including a thoughtful website audit that streamlined the user experience and enhanced our online presence.”

-Shannon Briones [Owner]

-Shannon Briones [Owner]

More About Me

A Glimpse Behind the Screen

When I’m not designing, you can usually find me going for walks, listening to music, thrifting with friends, or getting lost in a good book. I also enjoy exploring local coffee shops, discovering cozy spots for a fun drink, people-watching, and letting my mind wander into creative brainstorming.

Fun fact: I’m always on the lookout for unique finds at thrift stores, whether it’s vintage decor, questionable fashion, or inspiration for my next project.

When I’m not designing, you can usually find me going for walks, listening to music, thrifting with friends, or getting lost in a good book. I also enjoy exploring local coffee shops, discovering cozy spots for a fun drink, people-watching, and letting my mind wander into creative brainstorming.

Fun fact: I’m always on the lookout for unique finds at thrift stores, whether it’s vintage decor, questionable fashion, or inspiration for my next project.

When I’m not designing, you can usually find me going for walks, listening to music, thrifting with friends, or getting lost in a good book. I also enjoy exploring local coffee shops, discovering cozy spots for a fun drink, people-watching, and letting my mind wander into creative brainstorming.

Fun fact: I’m always on the lookout for unique finds at thrift stores, whether it’s vintage decor, questionable fashion, or inspiration for my next project.

Contact

Have a project in mind or just want to chat about design?
I’d love to hear from you.