Hi, I’m Aniela Villafán.
Originally from Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, my creative process is inspired by the bold colors, geometric shapes, and deep symbolism of my Mexican heritage.
While my heart is in traditional art, my hands are in modern branding. Whether I'm creating a playful brand identity for an ice cream shop, designing magazine layouts for creative media, or crafting custom illustrations for a legal firm, I approach every project with curiosity and care.
I love the "magic" of the conceptual phase just as much as the precision of the final execution. My goal is always the same: to translate big ideas into visual systems that feel thoughtful, expressive, and authentic.
Brand Identity: Developing logos, color systems, and typography that make a brand recognizable.
Packaging Design: Creating labels, bottle tags, and physical materials that represent the brand on a shelf.
Editorial & Layout: Organizing content for magazines, restaurant menus, and printed business materials.
Social Media & Digital: Designing posts and campaigns for artists, nonprofits, and businesses to improve their online presence.
Illustration: Using hand-drawn characters and cultural symbols to give a project a unique personality.
EXPERIENCE
Graphic Design Intern/Coordinator | Hazze Media | Jun 2025 - Present
Create magazine layouts for published articles.
Design branded social media content for clients including tax firms, therapists, and music artists.
Create digital campaigns and promo materials, such as intern introduction posts.
Collaborate with the creative team to deliver visually cohesive designs tailored to each client’s brand identity.
Social Media Design Intern | Localgood | Sep 2025 - Feb 2026
Collaborated with artists, fellow interns, and staff to develop creative campaigns.
Assisted in maintaining and updating content for the organization’s website.
Contributed design skills to strengthen brand consistency across platforms.
FREELANCE DESIGN
Brand Identity| Casas Villuza | Apr 2026 - Present
Developing brand identity for a short-term rental management company, including logo, color palette, and typography to establish a professional presence distinct from the Airbnb platform.
Building a visual system that positions Villuza as a trusted, independent brand while operating within the Airbnb ecosystem.
Brand Identity | Delicias de Michoacán | Jul 2024 - Mar 2025
Developed logo, color palette, and typography for the ice cream shop’s brand identity, creating a playful and inviting visual presence.
Created marketing materials including invitations, vinyl decals, and posters.
Reinforced the brand’s playful and inviting atmosphere through consistent visuals.
Menu Design | Terzo Restaurant | March - April 2025
Designed a food and wine menu for a Mediterranean & Italian-inspired SF restaurant.
Applied elegant typography and refined layout to match the brand’s identity.
Balanced visual appeal with usability to enhance the dining experience.
Direct Mail Design | Summerall Law | Apr 2024
Designed a professional postcard incorporating the firm’s logo, color palette, and typography creating a clear layout.
Created a custom illustration to enhance messaging and brand personality.
EDUCATION
BFA Graphic Design – California State University East Bay · Hayward, CA · 2022 - 2024
Graphic Design – Laney College · Oakland, CA · 2019 - 2022
International Business – Universidad de Guadalajara (CUCEA) · Guadalajara, México · 2016
SKILL & TOOLS
Design – Adobe Illustrator · InDesign · Photoshop · Premiere · Audition · Dimension · Canva · Procreate · Figma
Languages – Spanish (Native) · English (C2 – Proficient / EFSET)
Productivity – Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
PROFRESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Foundations of UX Design – Google | Coursera
Start the UX Design Process: Empathize, Define, and Ideate – Google | Coursera
Figma UI UX Design Essentials Pt.1: Tools & Foundations – Skillshare | Coursera
Figma UI UX Design Essentials Pt.2: Layout & Components – Skillshare | Coursera