Maria
Varela
BRAND
DESIGNER
Hi, I’m Maria.
Founder and brand designer behind Maria’s Creative Haus.
I work with founders and growing teams to design clear, cohesive brand systems for brands in motion—work that supports the next phase of growth with intention, consistency, and impact. My background spans visual identity, art direction, web, and brand collateral, allowing me to design across touchpoints while keeping the bigger picture in focus.
Originally from Chile, I moved to the U.S. over a decade ago driven by curiosity, creativity, and a belief that thoughtful design can shape how businesses grow and connect. That perspective continues to inform how I work today: design isn’t just about how something looks, but how it feels, functions, and holds together as a system.
Through Maria’s Creative Haus, I partner closely with clients as an extension of their team—bringing clarity to complex ideas, structure to growing brands, and creative direction that scales. Whether I’m building a brand from the ground up or refining an existing one, my goal is always the same: to create work that feels confident, considered, and built to last.
Outside of client work, I’m usually recharging with my Goldendoodle, Belle! equal parts studio companion and morale booster, who firmly believes she’s the real creative director.
Biography
Design isn’t just what I do — it’s how I think, communicate, and solve problems. It blends storytelling with intention, creating work that people don’t just see, but connect with.
Over the years, that mindset has shaped my work across a range of clients—from commercial real estate teams and lifestyle brands to local businesses with big visions. No matter the project, the goal is always the same: to design with intention, lead with clarity, and bring ideas to life in a way that’s both visually compelling and genuinely useful.
Skills and Expertise
Brand Design & Visual Systems
Art Direction & Creative Direction
Web & Digital Design
Marketing, Collateral & Presentation Design
Work experience
Senior Manager, Creative | JBG Smith
2023—2025
Graphic Designer | Various Clients
2021—2023
Graphic Designer | Rappaport
2020—2021
Consultant | non-profit LEDC
On-going


