# Esmeralda Velazco > Art Direction, Branding & UI | Helping Brands Tell Clear, Emotionally Resonant Stories with Cultural Relevance Location: San Francisco Bay Area, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/esmeraldavelazco Hola! Hola! I'm a first-generation Mexican-American designer based in the Bay Area. I specialize in Art Direction, Branding, and UI Design that tells clear, emotionally resonant stories with heart. I focus on understanding a brand’s true essence to craft compelling visuals that connect with people while communicating effectively. My approach blends cultural relevance, playful spirit, and strategy to help brands enhance product recognition, campaign success, and community alignment. I’ve collaborated with studios, agencies, and in-house teams to provide tailored design support rooted in each brand’s values. I care deeply about advancing community well-being while maintaining brand integrity, creating work that fosters connection and solidarity among people from similar cultures and backgrounds. If you’re looking for design that is thoughtful, impactful, and human, I’d love to connect. hey@esmeraldavelazco.com ## Work Experience ### Senior Visual Designer @ Huge Jan 2026 – Present ### Freelance Art Director, Brand & UI Designer @ Esmeralda Velazco Jan 2020 – Present • Develop comprehensive brand identities and design systems across multiple communication touchpoints, boosting client engagement and driving measurable marketing growth for diverse global audiences • Create cohesive visual narratives that simplify complex business concepts into compelling, accessible design solutions • Collaborate with cross-functional teams including product managers, marketers, and engineers to ensure pixel-perfect execution and consistent brand representation across digital platforms, presentations, and marketing materials • Lead high-visibility design projects from concept to final output, managing stakeholder feedback and maintaining design excellence in fast-paced environments ### Brand Designer @ Out Of Office Network Jan 2023 – Jan 2024 | New York City Metropolitan Area Out of Office Network is a research & design lab, a community of practice reimagining how we live and work in a modern world. • Spearheaded brand refresh, implementing cohesive visual identity, boosting product recognition and campaign effectiveness. • Refined brand guidelines, ensuring precise implementation of design elements and maintaining brand integrity across all touchpoints. ### UI Designer @ Purpose Venture Group Jan 2022 – Jan 2022 | New York City Metropolitan Area • Designed mobile UI applications for Rewiring America, the leading electrification nonprofit. • Directly collaborated with the Product team to prototype, design, and deliver the UI/UX experience for Airbnb’s first electrification pilot program. ### Brand Designer / UI Designer @ Progress Labs Jan 2021 – Jan 2022 | New York City Metropolitan Area • Responsible for creating and producing innovative brand identities for eCommerce storefronts via omni-channel experiences. • Collaborated with product and development teams throughout all stages of the process. From ideation and strategy to production and launch. Clients: Loisa and Cardon Skincare ### Content Designer @ Haus Jan 2021 – Jan 2021 | New York City Metropolitan Area • Crafted compelling narratives that elevated brand identity and user engagement via email/newsletter and paid socials across digital platforms. • Directly collaborated with the creative director and marketing team on the, “My Haus Campaign”, a series on life during the pandemic. ### Graphic Designer @ EMPIRE Jan 2020 – Jan 2020 | San Francisco Bay Area • Crafted bespoke lettering titles for Jean Deaux’s albums “Watch This!”, “Moody!” and “Valid”. Infusing each design with unique artistic flair to elevate identity and visual appeal. ### Lead Graphic Designer @ Women Sound Off Jan 2019 – Jan 2020 | Oakland, California, United States • Spearheaded design initiatives at Women Sound Off, elevating brand presence across multiple platforms. Crafted visually striking campaigns that amplified the organization’s message and boosted engagement. • Led visual identity redesign for WSO’s 2019 and 2020 festivals. Implemented targeted ad campaigns, driving a substantial increase in ticket sales for WSO events. • Managed a designer to develop support graphics for social platforms. Art-directed photography to capture the brand’s essence and diversity. Crafted custom iconography, animations, GIFS, and prints for WSO’s music festival/conference. ### Junior Designer @ Math Times Joy Jan 2019 – Jan 2019 | San Francisco, California, United States • Designed and assisted iconography work for Google’s Material Design. • Created newsletter and email designs for a health tech company, Color Health. ### Graphic Designer @ Women Sound Off Jan 2019 – Jan 2019 | Oakland, California, United States • Collaborated with the marketing team to create visually engaging digital and print materials, including posters, flyers, social media graphics, and banners, enhancing festival and conference visibility and driving attendee excitement. • Actively participated in creative brainstorming sessions, contributing fresh ideas and incorporating feedback from senior designers and team members to improve design quality and project outcomes. ## Education ### Bachelor of Fine Arts - BFA in Graphic Design California College of the Arts ### Design and Visual Communications in General Couvent des Recollets ### Graphic Communications in Mobile Design Santa Monica College ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/esmeralda-velazco --- Source: https://flows.cv/esmeraldavelazco JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/esmeraldavelazco/resume.json Last updated: 2026-04-13