Maria Diaz is a full-time Art Director based in Dallas. She specializes in conceptualizing and creating visuals for branding and marketing campaigns. Originally from Honduras, Maria has worked in agencies like BBDO Honduras, BBDO Atlanta, LERMA/ Dallas, and the Honduran Institute of Tourism. She has recently graduated from Miami Ad School in the Art Direction program and has a Master’s in Global Strategic Communication from Florida International University.
In her professional career Maria has worked with world renown clients among: Revlon, Mitsubishi, The Home Depot, Pantene, Hyundai, Honduran Government and tourism, Avocados from Mexico, Georgia Lottery, Honey Baked Ham, Bayer, Dove, Nivea, Durex and others.
Maria also enjoys creating art and illustration, which was a hobby she acquired during lock down, and it has been giving very fruitful work.
Maria hopes to open her own creative boutique and keep creating more award-winning work in the future.
Why are you into Advertising?
My passion for advertising goes back to my days in university, I took a class called creative advertising and that sparked my interest in pursuing creativity.
Did you attend school for fine art or design or Communications?
I did one Bachelor’s in Communications and advertising, with a specialization in communication for development, I got another Bachelor’s in Graphic Design.
Were there any particular role models for you when you grew up?
My parents have always been a great role model. My mom I learnt how to pursue things with passion, from my dad the rational side of things, from my stepmother she always taught me to be responsible and from my grandmother her willingness to help in whatever she could
Who was the most influential personality on your career in Advertising?
I think one of the creatives I came across in the early stages of my career that just impacted me was Stefan Sagmeister, from him I learnt that advertising can be much more than just selling. His eye for detail, his use of organic elements. It inspired me.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
When I am looking for visual inspiration, I go to Behance, Pinterest, good old google, social media. If I am brainstorming for a specific concept or an advertising campaign, I like to ask people who know nothing about advertising their opinion, you get very good insights from them.
Tell us something about your current place’s work environment. How do you keep motivating yourself and your team creatively.
I really love the place I am working at currently, LERMA/ is a great agency the people around me make the agency feel like a family. I have counted with their support since the first approach we had until now, that I am about to have 1 year working.
Do you think brands whose advertising wins awards, do well in the market?
I think that they are not always related, brands who win awards are not always doing well in the market but sometimes it is correlated. Awards help to validate your work.
What advice do you have for aspiring creative professionals?
I would say work on your portfolio, learn and practice your networking skills they are so important.
What’s your dream project?
I really love art; I would enjoy working with a museum like the MoMa or any other museum. I also enjoy working on social campaigns, using creativity for good is a great way to put our gifts and talents to good use.
Where do you see yourself in 15 years?
Wow. We are getting deep huh! I see myself working in advertising, hopefully having my own shop. Mostly I want to see how much more knowledge and experience I can achieve. Knock on wood hopefully score a Cannes.
Who would you like to take out for dinner?
My family and friends, I like to celebrate big moments in life and be surrounded by the people who have helped me achieve them.
What’s on your iPod? Spotify?
I am a Jack of all trades when it comes to music, I can go from classical, to latin, rnb, reggae, reggaeton and rock. I even have a Hindi mood playlist. But if you want to check out more look for me on Spotify: MJ Diaz Diaz
Mac or PC?
My first computer was a PC, but my last computers have all been Macs, I enjoy it.
What’s your Twitter Handle? Instagram?
My Instagram is @mjdpinkreative but also my portfolio is a great way to follow my work mjdiazdiaz.com
