Designer specialising in brand systems, motion, and emotionally intelligent design

I design scalable visual systems rooted in audience understanding, emotional clarity, and long-term relevance.

With 10+ years across illustration, motion, and digital design, I work with strategy and research leading my design direction. My focus is on building coherent systems that hold up under growth, change, and real-world complexity.

From narrative illustration to brand systems

I began my career in narrative illustration and graphic novels, where I learned to think in story, pacing, and emotional impact. That foundation continues to shape how I approach all my design work today.

As my practice expanded into animation, I became increasingly focused on how movement can clarify ideas, guide attention, and create meaning, not just embellishment. This naturally led me into brand and digital design, where systems, consistency, and long-term thinking became central to my work.

Over time, my role evolved from individual execution to designing frameworks that support growth, change, and multi-channel use. Today, I specialise in building emotionally intelligent brand systems across digital, motion, and illustration.

How I like to work

How I solve creative problems

I make sure I understand the problem in front of me as much as possible, by asking questions and trying to educate myself as much as possible before any creative ideation starts.

I also make sure I understand

What good design looks like to me

I believe design should do more than look good. Whether it’s a visual identity, templated campaign toolkit, or explainer animation, I build work that’s flexible, consistent, and easy for anyone to use; from seasoned designers to non-technical team members.

How I work

My process is structured but flexible, grounded in research, strategy, and close collaboration.

My process is structured but flexible, grounded in research, strategy, and close collaboration.

1. Research & audience understanding

My process is structured but flexible, grounded in research, strategy, and close collaboration.

2. Strategy & visual direction

I translate insights into clear visual principles that guide tone, hierarchy, and system behaviour.

3. Design systems & execution

I build scalable frameworks that work across brand, motion, and digital, ensuring consistency without rigidity.

4. Iteration & collaboration

I work closely with stakeholders, product teams, and creatives to refine, test, and strengthen outcomes.

How I like to work

How I solve creative problems

I make sure I understand the problem in front of me as much as possible, by asking questions and trying to educate myself as much as possible before any creative ideation starts.

I also make sure I understand

What good design looks like to me

I believe design should do more than look good. Whether it’s a visual identity, templated campaign toolkit, or explainer animation, I build work that’s flexible, consistent, and easy for anyone to use; from seasoned designers to non-technical team members.

Testimonials

Greyhound Racing UK

Anahita Yahyaei

Head of Marketing

Working with Mari at GRUK was an absolute joy. She brought creativity, positivity, and a strong sense of ownership to every project she worked on, always pushing ideas further and delivering designs that truly elevated our campaigns.

She developed branding and logos for multiple clients in a short time, showing incredible patience, creativity, and kindness towards everyone she collaborated with. Mari always paid attention to the smallest details and took the time to research and understand each brief, ensuring there was meaningful storytelling behind every piece of her work - not just beautiful design, but design with purpose.What really stood out was her dedication and work ethic.

She consistently went above and beyond what was asked of her, showing genuine care for every project. During the busy Derby period, she put in extra hours to make sure deadlines were met and our work stayed at the highest standard.Mari is reliable, collaborative, and an all-around wonderful person to have on any team. Any company would be lucky to have her - both for her design talent and her positive, can-do attitude.I truly hope our paths cross again in the future - working with her was a pleasure from start to finish.

Working with Mari at GRUK was an absolute joy. She brought creativity, positivity, and a strong sense of ownership to every project she worked on, always pushing ideas further and delivering designs (...)

Go.Compare

Amy Smith

Content Designer

I was lucky enough to work with Marilena when we were both on the brand team at Go.Compare.

Marilena took the words I wrote and brought them to life - it was a joy to work with someone who could so effortlessly interpret briefs and design guidelines, while still bringing plenty of creative flair to any project she was involved in.

She produced a range of engaging graphics for social media posts and the website, and was our expert on all things motion design - she created wonderful animations which helped us communicate key messages to our audience. It’s not easy to make insurance and financial services look interesting and relatable, but Marilena did it!

Marilena is an invaluable creative and motion designer - hardworking, talented and a truly lovely person. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a dedicated and detail-focussed team member. 

I was lucky enough to work with Marilena when we were both on the brand team at Go.Compare. Marilena took the words I wrote and brought them to life - it was a joy to work with someone who could so effortlessly interpret briefs and design guidelines (...)

Greyhound Homing UK

Jade Dewey

Marketing Coordinator

I had the pleasure of working with Mari during our time at Greyhound Homing UK, where she supported me with a wide range of social graphics. From day one, Mari consistently went above and beyond on every brief, delivering creative, thoughtful designs that truly elevated our content.No request was ever too much.

Mari was always open to feedback, happy to make tweaks when needed, and ensured I was completely happy with the final result before anything got approved with management. Mari’s attention to detail, professionalism and commitment to getting things just right really stood out.

Beyond their design talent, Mari brought a genuinely lovely personality to every interaction, she was friendly, reliable and a real pleasure to collaborate with. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Mari to anyone looking for a talented and dependable graphic designer.

I had the pleasure of working with Mari during our time at Greyhound Homing UK, where she supported me with a wide range of social graphics. From day one, Mari consistently went above and beyond on every brief (...)

Staysure Group

Kelly Johnstone

Head of Content

Mari is an outstanding designer, creator of beautiful illustrations and great animator. Finding a great designer is hard enough but Mari is a golden ticket. She's able to use her illustrative skills to flex design to a new level - and a skill as a designer that really sets her apart! I could have easily framed some of her rough sketches on my wall with pride. Working in the financial services industry is a tall ask for any designer, bound by tight FCA guidelines that could dampen creativity. Mari took this in her stride, making beautiful and consistent designs.

Mari is an outstanding designer, creator of beautiful illustrations and great animator. Finding a great designer is hard enough but Mari is a golden ticket. She's able to use her illustrative skills to flex design to a new level (...)

Go.Compare

Liyya Atcha

Brand and Campaigns Manager

I had the pleasure of working alongside Marilena in the brand team at Go.Compare and I can confidently say she is an incredibly talented and innovative creative and motion designer. Mari consistently brought fresh, engaging design ideas to the table.

Beyond her design expertise, Mari was a true team player, always open to collaboration and feedback.

I highly recommend Marilena to anyone looking for a creative designer who brings both skill and a positive attitude to everything she does.

I had the pleasure of working alongside Marilena in the brand team at Go.Compare and I can confidently say she is an incredibly talented and innovative creative and motion designer. Mari consistently brought fresh, engaging design ideas (...)

Staysure Group

Luke Davies-Hearn

Head of Creative

I had the pleasure of working with Mari on a number of projects while she was at Staysure. Mari's stand-out talents revolved around 3D design and animation, as well as illustration. Her work offered that rare quality you seek when you design; it made you smile. Her work has always had charm and personality to it, as does Mari herself.

Mari was also reliable and hardworking across many of the digital campaigns we worked on, helping with builds of banners, adverts and brochureware assets. Mari is somebody who will bring inventiveness, personality and talent into any team she works in.

I had the pleasure of working with Mari on a number of projects while she was at Staysure. Mari's stand-out talents revolved around 3D design and animation, as well as illustration. Her work offered that rare quality (...)

Staysure Group

Ria Wong

Content Manager

Friendly, talented, and collaborative, Mari elevated our content with her animations and videos, helping our blogs and social posts stand out. Her approachable nature made her a great teammate.

If you’re looking for someone who’s creative, professional, and just REALLY good at what they do, Mari would be a fantastic addition to any team.

Friendly, talented, and collaborative, Mari elevated our content (...)

Selected recognition & cultural work

Silhouette of a group of people standing in front of an art exhibit wall.
2023: Open Walls Series 4, Cass Art, Bristol
Exhibited public illustration work as part of a curated city-wide show.
2018: Dirty Diamonds - Being
Published illustrated short story focused on personal growth and vulnerability.
Illustration in pink and blue of a stack of graphic novels. Top graphic novel is labelled 'Dirty diamonds'.
Illustration with blue backdrop.
Graduation cap in the top left, exhibitor's pass in the bottom right corner
2016: D&AD New Blood Festival, London
Represented Arts University Bournemouth at the national graduate showcase.
2016: Dirty Diamonds - Sex
Wrote and illustrated a short narrative exploring intimacy and identity.
Comic book with a comic page lying next to it and a pencil.
Avanti Travel insurance logo - whiteGo.Compare logoStaysure logo - whiteLook after my bills logo. Shaped like the infintiny sign, sideways 8.My Voucher Codes - White logoPetsure Logo -  Petsure is a pet insurance brand.
Avanti Travel insurance logo - whiteGo.Compare logoStaysure logo - whiteLook after my bills logo. Shaped like the infintiny sign, sideways 8.My Voucher Codes - White logoPetsure Logo -  Petsure is a pet insurance brand.