About
Maya is a freelance art director & designer specializing in live experiences.
Work Experience:
As an Art Director and 2D/3D Designer, I have spent over a decade creating live events, interactive environments, and social moments for Google, YouTube, HBO, Spotify, Tiffany & Co., Kokuyo, and more. I’ve worked at some of New York City’s best experiential/event agencies, picked up a few awards, collaborated with studios in Tokyo, and freelanced on both sides of the globe. I’ve experienced the highs (e.g. art-directing a Grammy’s party attended by the one and only Beyoncé) and the lows (like getting a near-concussion from a flag pole on a windy install day in Miami).
Stories aside, my experiences with many teams over the years have shaped my approach and given me a global perspective on how culture, craft, and creativity come together differently in different communities.
Skill Set:
I'm skilled in concept-to-completion creative and 2D/3D design. A former boss used to call me a Swiss Army knife, complete with every tool to take on creative ideation, design direction, 3D modeling, graphic design, technical drawings, presentation decks, and art direction/styling on-site. I use Sketchup/Enscape/Podium, the Adobe Creative Suite, and Vectorworks to design, and I will create super-organized, self-explanatory collaborative decks in Google Slides (clients love it). I’ve managed small design teams and coordinated with producers, project managers, account managers, and vendors to ensure that the creative vision is brought to life.
…Random, but other skills include origami/paper art (featured in Better Homes and Gardens and InStyle magazines), and independently running a dance studio I founded in Tokyo in 2022 (yes, I can lead you in a dance break!)
My Story:
From a young age, my play dates always had a creative mission: host a themed tea party, choreograph a dance, have an on-location photo shoot, film a commercial, create collaborative artwork, etc.
Today, I get to do all of this professionally, as an art director who creates experiential touchpoints for all kinds of brands and occasions.
Why events? Besides the fact that it combines a little bit of all things creative, I love a reason to invite people to gather IRL, wow them from the moment they enter, and leave them with a lasting impression. Events and experiential spaces take guests (i.e. us) out of our normal routines to educate, celebrate, enchant, and give us reasons to connect and aspire to something greater.
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Whether it’s a brand activation, a media launch, a festival, or a one-day-only moment, I look forward to working with you. Feel free to reach out for collaborations and project opportunities below!
✨ Let’s create magic together~
