Hire Me!

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¡Trabaja Conmigo!

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Hire Me! 〰️ ¡Trabaja Conmigo! 〰️

A Little About Me

I was born in Australia, raised in Chile, and eventually found my home in Chicago. I’m a designer and educator with over a decade of experience in agency, freelance, and print environments. Oh! And I am Bilingual!

I have a Master’s (SAIC) and Bachelor’s (Ai) degree in Visual Communications. Yes, that is how much I love design!

I am always looking for new skills or hobbies to keep my creative brain active and occupied. I am currently obsessed with strips of paper to make Quilling and learning about Figma and the most careful ways to use AI.

Outside of work, I’m usually planning my next trip, spending time with my cats Uhtred (Uhtchie) and Fiona (Fifi), gathering with family and friends, or trying a new recipe (Antoni’s cookbooks are in regular rotation!).

We believe in keeping things simple, smart, and human. Every project starts with listening and ends with something we're proud to share.
I care deeply about the small details, the right color choices, and the kind of design that feels both thoughtful and lasting.
I partner with small businesses, women-led ventures, and community-driven projects to create work that’s intentional, approachable, and built to grow with them. With experience in hands-on design, leadership, client relationships, and project management, I bring both heart and structure to every collaboration.

A Fun Fact: All photography, with the exception of headshots, were taken in various locations in Chile by me. You can also find a font by a Chilean Typography Studio - Latino Type used in banners.

How Can I help?

Now it is your turn to tell me about yourself

Book a call

Let’s Bring Your Vision to Life

Your vision matters and so does the way it reaches your community.
I partner with women-led, purpose-driven projects to create design that’s thoughtful, approachable, and meaningful, helping your ideas grow and connect.

Print

Whether you're a business seeking to enhance your marketing materials or an individual with a special event in mind, I've got you covered!

Branding

Your logo and brand don’t have to feel overwhelming. I guide you through the entire process from start to finish, making it clear, collaborative, and intentional. By the end, it won’t just feel like something I designed, it’ll feel like something we built together.

Digital

Think engaging social media graphics and eye-catching websites crafted for your audience. Investing in digital design is about visual storytelling that elevates your brand.

"Marlys is a talented and efficient graphic designer who has created excellent marketing materials for the Stone Center for Latin American Studies. She is responsive to feedback and strikes the perfect balance between both our mission, specific event needs, our vision, and her innovative design sensibility. We highly recommend her and look forward to future collaborations.

—Cynthia Garza, Public Engagement & Evaluation, Tulane University Stone Center for Latin American Studies
"Our Chamber had not hosted a restaurant crawl in years. Marlys' vibrant design was instrumental to our success! We will definitely work with her again this year on this initiative!"

Nilda Esparza, Executive Producer at Logan Square Chamber of Commerce
"Marlys is fantastic to work with!! She got to know me, my vision for my business, and my style. When creating my logo, she provided a variety of options then helped me focus in. Marlys made sure to provide me education on the logo and technology so I was able to use it seamlessly. I could not recommend Marlys more!!"

Meredith Anne Becks Ringhausen, MA, BCBA, LBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
"Marlys was hired to work on the graphic and layout design for the Peace On Earth Film Festival. Her work ethic was superb, she was given tasks to complete on tight deadlines, she works independently well and great in a team environment. Her layout and design skills are well developed and she has great eye for detail. Her ability to take an idea to creation and successfully fulfill the needs of the project are more than expected. Marlys is able to add her creative touches to projects and create a exceptional completed project within the timeline, and above expectation. I highly recommend Marlys for any project."

—Clayton Monical, Peace on Earth Film Festival
"I had the privilege of working with Marlys at Foodstuffs, where she brought creativity, precision, and professionalism to every project she touched. Even in a fast-paced catering environment, her design expertise and leadership stood out. She managed multiple priorities seamlessly, elevated our brand presentation, and consistently delivered thoughtful, high-quality work."

—Brendan O’Brien, Foodstuffs Events & Catering
"Marlys is incredible to work with on any creative project. She is thoughtful, talented, timely, and such a strong communicator throughout the entire process. We’ve collaborated on everything from custom bachelorette posters and event signage to clothing logos, and holiday décor. Every single piece has turned out beautifully. What I appreciate most is her ability to blend her own creative style with exactly what the client envisions. Marlys truly listens, she is always open to tweaks or adjustments, and she consistently deliver designs that exceed expectations. I love working with her and can’t recommend her enough!

Ami Kothari, Director of Human Resources at Ansira
"Working with Marlys for over a year now has been an incredible experience. She is extremely knowledgeable, efficient, and consistently goes above and beyond to stay on top of the latest advancements in graphic design and technology. As a business owner who struggles with understanding website design and how to effectively use AI to improve company visibility and marketing, having Marlys on my team has been invaluable. Not only does she truly know her craft, but she also takes the time to explain things clearly and provide practical solutions. What really sets Marlys apart is her speed and reliability. She answers questions quickly and completes projects in less than half the time I’ve experienced with other graphic designers—without ever sacrificing quality. Her creativity, professionalism, and dedication make her someone I would highly recommend to any business looking to elevate their brand and online presence."

Brooke Walker, Ph.D., LBA, BCBA-D, Transformation ABA, Sangamon County