Maria Abraão
@mariaabrao
I build cohesive brand identities and intuitive UX/UI experiences across digital and print.
PortugalWhat I'm looking for
I build cohesive brand identities, visual systems, and user-centered interfaces across digital and print. My work combines visual communication with user research, information architecture, wireframing, and prototyping.
At Brand22 Creative Agency, I managed visual identity and design systems for 20+ clients, led design critiques with a six-person team, and mentored junior designers. I also created brand guidelines, editorial work, packaging, social content, and email campaigns.
As a freelance designer, I led creative direction for National Socialist Youth campaigns and Summerfest, helping grow Instagram from 9,000 to 11,000 followers in two weeks and generate over 500,000 interactions. I also designed the Portuguese Cistercian Route website and visual identity for an international event spanning 15+ countries.
Experience
Work history, roles, and key accomplishments
Freelance UX/UI & Graphic Designer
Independent
Sep 2025 - Present (1 year)
Developed visual identities and creative direction for campaigns, including a National Socialist Youth Legislative Campaign and Summerfest, with significant social media growth and engagement.
Lead Graphic Designer
Brand22 Creative Agency
Apr 2025 - Sep 2025 (5 months)
Managed visual identity and design systems for 20+ clients, led design critiques and brainstorming sessions, and supervised junior designers.
Mid Graphic Designer
Brand22 Creative Agency
Mar 2024 - Apr 2025 (1 year 1 month)
Designed visual identities, brand guidelines, and component systems, and produced editorial and packaging design for various clients.
Freelance Designer & Photographer
Monastery of Alcobaça
Jan 2024 - Mar 2024 (2 months)
Photographed a stamp collection for a CTT collaboration, distributed nationally.
Designer, Social Media Manager & Photographer
Monastery of Alcobaça
Feb 2023 - Nov 2023 (9 months)
Grew Instagram audience by 300%, designed visual identity for an international event, and built a website for the Portuguese Cistercian Route.
Freelance Graphic Designer
Zeni
Jun 2022 - Dec 2022 (6 months)
Delivered graphic design and visual communication assets for advertising and marketing campaigns.
Graphic Design Intern
Creative Lemons
Mar 2022 - Jun 2022 (3 months)
Completed curricular internship, contributing to real client projects in branding and visual communication.
Communication & Image Collaborator
Academic Association of UTAD
Jan 2021 - Jan 2022 (1 year)
Supported the communication and visual identity of the student association's public-facing materials.
Education
Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework
The Starter
Intermediate UX Design Course, UX Design
Intermediate-level UX design training with a hands-on project applying user research, wireframing, and prototyping methodologies.
ESAD.CR (Polytechnic Institute of Leiria)
Postgraduate Degree, Graphic Design
2022 - 2023
Postgraduate degree in Graphic Design from ESAD.CR, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, from 2022 to 2023.
University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro
Bachelor's Degree, Multimedia
2019 - 2022
Bachelor's degree in Multimedia from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, from 2019 to 2022.
Institute for Employment and Vocational Training
CET, Multimedia
2018 - 2019
CET in Multimedia from the Institute for Employment and Vocational Training, from 2018 to 2019.
Tech stack
Software and tools used professionally
Availability
Location
PortugalAuthorized to work in
Salary expectations
Social media
Skills
Interested in hiring Maria?
You can contact Maria and 90k+ other talented remote workers on Himalayas.
Message MariaGet matched with your dream remote job
Sign up now and join over 250,000+ remote workers who receive personalized job alerts, curated job matches, and more for free!
