E—info(at)mariamontes(dot)net
T—+61 (0) 421 244 612

About Maria Montes

With almost twenty years professional experience, I specialise in identity design developing the means for brands to connect deeper with their audience.

I also have extensive experience working in partnership with leading brand design agencies around the world, helping them craft and develop their identity systems with emotionally charged visual elements including, display type, logotypes, lettering, illustration, patterning, packaging design, collateral, and digital assets.

My passion is helping clients and designers bring their ideas to life through truly unique and beautifully-crafted design elements.

My Background

I am a Melbourne based multilingual, multicultural type nerd. Originally from Catalonia, I moved to Australia in 2006 where I currently reside.
My practice is set by the principals of constant learning, sharing and educating about the creative process. Above all, I have a story to tell.

Do and Dont’s

I specialise in brand identity, graphic design with a strong typographic approach, calligraphy, lettering and illustration.
I craft identity systems and emotionally charged visual language involving display type, logotypes, lettering, illustration, patterning, packaging design, collateral, and digital assets, among other crafts.
I teach calligraphy and lettering at my studio in Melbourne. I run corporate workshops and private 1:1 classes.
I offer public speaking engagements at design conferences, in-house agencies and universities.
I write a bi-monthly email newsletter announcing my workshops, community events, type related matter and other topics which often include creative mental health and fostering women in the industry.

I don’t do wedding calligraphy or wedding stationery.

“Maria is a rare breed. A designer, illustrator, typographer and creative force, Maria is a design partner in the truest sense. Her work is consistently exquisite and is guaranteed to elevate your brand, idea and spirit. I cannot recommend her highly enough.”

Andrew Thomas
Co Founder and creative director, Inaria (London, UK)

Values

High quality work, communication, collaboration, transparency, respect and trust.
I’m an advocate for women’s rights, gender equality, cultural diversity, social inclusion and climate action.
I am a proud member of the TDC, Alphabettes, Typism, and YesEqual. I support First Things First 2020 manifesto; and I think “What I have to offer is me. What you have to offer is you” by Charlie Kaufman, is one of the best lectures I have ever seen.

Selected Clients

Bloomsbury Publishing, Inaria Luxury Brand Design, Art Centre Tinglado 2, Art Centre La Panera, Hardie Grant Publishing, Shillington College, McCANN Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Hodder & Stoughton Publishing, National Trust of Australia (Victoria), Esprit, Megan Park, Country Road, Hew, Australian Red Cross, Queensland Health, Zara, Mango, Massimo Dutti and Uterqüe among others.

Featured Talks

2019. Live Streaming Interview at Adobe France

2019. Love for Letterforms. Type@Paris TpTalks, France

2018. The Use of Language as Cultural Identity. Keynote speaker TDCBNE Conference, Australia
2018. What a Shitshow Catalan Interview at the Art Centre La Panera, Spain
2017. Scared Shitless. Keynote speaker Typism Conference, Australia

2017. Drunk on Lettering Podcast, USA

Exhibitions

2020. Letterform Group Exhibition. Revolver Upstairs, Melbourne
2020. Front Lines: Takayna to Adani. Long Gallery Hobart, Tasmania
2019. Planet Before Profit Group Exhibition. Work-shop Melbourne
2019. Typo EINA 15 Anys Group Exhibition. Eina Espai Barra de Ferro, Barcelona
2019. What a Shitshow Solo Exhibition. Centre d’Art Tinglado 2, Tarragona, Spain
2019. La Tipografía en la Cultura Contemporánea Group Exhibition, Mexico
2018. What a Shitshow Solo Exhibition. Centre d’Art La Panera, Lleida, Spain
2017. High Risk Dressing/Critical Fashion Group Exhibition. RMIT Design Hub
2016. Yelp After Work Drink Party Group Exhibition. Work-shop Melbourne
2015. Breaking The Ice Solo Exhibition. Nieuw Amsterdam, Melbourne
2015. People Can Change Group Exhibition. Melbourne Arts Club Gallery
2015. Pick Me Up London Group Exhibition represented by Supergraph Australia
2015. Supergraph Group Exhibition. Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne
2014. Tone of Voice Group Exhibition. CATC College, Melbourne
2013. Homage to Josep Maria Pujol Group Exhibition, Barcelona

Corporate and In-house Workshops

2020. Brush Calligraphy at MPavilion, Melbourne
2019. Calligraphy Workshop at St Columba’s College Essendon, Melbourne
2019. Lettering and Typography Semester at RMIT University, Melbourne
2019. Corporate Calligraphy Workshop at Mind Australia, Melbourne
2018. Copperplate Calligraphy Workshop at Griffith University, Brisbane
2018. Corporate Calligraphy Workshop at Carnegie Library, Melbourne
2018. Corporate Calligraphy Workshop at Moose Toys, Melbourne
2017. Carolingian Calligraphy Workshop at Emmanuel College, Melbourne
2017. Copperplate Calligraphy Workshop at Griffith University, Gold Coast
2017. Copperplate Calligraphy Workshop at Shillington College, Melbourne
2017. Art Deco Calligraphy Workshop at Rippon Lea House, Melbourne
2017. Brush Calligraphy Workshop, Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centre
2017. Italic Calligraphy Workshop at Moose Toys, Melbourne
2017. Gothic Calligraphy Workshop at Work-shop Melbourne
2017. Copperplate Calligraphy Workshop at Como House, Melbourne
2016. Copperplate Calligraphy Workshop at Tractor Design School, Melbourne
2016. Brush Calligraphy Workshop at Reed Gift Fairs, Melbourne
2016. Copperplate Calligraphy Workshop at Work-shop Sydney
2016. Carolingian Calligraphy Workshop at SAE Quantum Institute, Melbourne
2016. Italic Calligraphy Workshop at Work-shop Brisbane
2016. Copperplate Calligraphy Workshop at Como House & Garden, Melbourne
2016. Copperplate Calligraphy Workshop at Labassa House, Melbourne
2016. Fraktur Calligraphy Workshop at Work-Shop Melbourne
2015. Copperplate Calligraphy Workshop at Work-Shop Brisbane
2015. Copperplate Calligraphy Workshop at CATC Design School, Melbourne
2015. Calligraphy Workshops at Work-Shop Melbourne
2014. Introduction to Neuland Script. Imagination Industry, Melbourne

Press Publications

2020. Escriptura i sensibilitat by Jordi Ribas
2019. The Heroine’s Journey Website by Peter De Kuster
2019. L’univers de Maria Montes by Anna Vilamú Bosch, surtdecasa.cat, Spain
2019. La lletra esdevé art by Gloria Aznar, Diari de Tarragona, Spain
2019. Interview with Maria Montes. Type@Paris, France
2019. Green Fairy Font. Typism Book 5, Australia
2018. Interview with Maria Montes. Design Feast by Nate Burgos
2018. Stop Feeding The Beast. Nibster Mag, Spain
2018. Ten, Skateboard Design. Typism Book 4, Australia
2018. Letterpressed Illustrated Cocktails. Scripted Book, China
2018. LOVE. Good Type The Book Volume Two, USA
2018. Green Fairy Font Family. Available commercially at MyFonts
2017. Green Fairy Font. Typodarium, Germany
2017. Cocktail Cards That Pack A Punch. Neenah Papers, USA
2017. Entrevista con Maria Montes. Puentestudio, Argentina
2017. Fresh Illustration by Maria Montes. Communication Arts, USA
2017. Lettering and Illustration by Maria Montes. The Design Files, Australia
2017. Scare Shitless: Facing fear and getting out of your comfort zone. Alphabettes
2017. Interview with Maria Montes. Typerie, Australia
2017. Five Typographers Share Their Treasured Finds. Communication Arts, USA
2017. Shit Just Got Real with Maria Montes. Typograph.her, Australia
2016. Hidden Gems in Melbourne: Renaissance Bookbinding, Alphabettes
2016. The Richardson Family. Good Type The Book Volume One, USA
2016. Introduction to Calligraphy. Lettering Hub, Australia
2016. Profile Interview. Lettering Hub, Australia
2015. 15.05.2014 Lettering Artwork. Typism Book Two, Australia
2014. Profile interview. Baronmag
2014. Our First Six. The Loop, Australia
2014. Profile interview. Magic Timeout
2013. Homage to JMP Lettering Artwork. Typism Book One, Australia
2011. Miłosz Italic Typeface Design. Desktop Magazine, Australia

Education

2016. TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training & Assessment, Melbourne
2012. Typeface Design Condensed Program at Type@Cooper, New York City
2011. Postgraduate Course of Advanced Typography. Eina, Barcelona
2003 – 2004. MA in User Interface Design (UI). Elisava, Barcelona School of Design
1996 – 2000. BA (Hons) Graphic Design. Eina, School of Art & Design, Barcelona