T­—0421.244.612
E­—info@mariamontes.net
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, custom 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.

Biography

  • I am a Melbourne based multilingual, multicultural type nerd with endless passion and determination. Originally from Catalonia, I moved to Australia in 2006, where I currently reside.
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  • 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.
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  • “The Melbourne-based designer and artist creates intricate, nostalgic and downright FUN lettering and illustrations out of her studio in Fitzroy, where she also runs workshops teaching others the art of writing.
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  • Trained as a graphic designer, Maria Montes studied in Barcelona in 1996, where learning calligraphy was compulsory. After spending over a decade working in the field, she decided to re-explore letterforms, resulting in a postgraduate course in Advanced Typography, followed by a year-long stint and further study at Type@Cooper in New York City. Her journey ultimately ended in Australia, where she’s been living, working and loving over the last thirteen years.
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  • Working out of one of Melbourne’s most vibrant, creative areas, Maria finds inspiration in the community around her, and strength in the reciprocal support of other women. ‘I am surrounded by students and creatives who respect and support my practice,’ she says,  ‘Listening to more female voices in the industry means a lot to me; they encourage my work and help me to build confidence.’” – words by Sally Tabart from The Design Files.

Values

“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)

Do and Dont’s

  • I specialise in brand identity, graphic design with a strong typographic approach, calligraphy, lettering and illustration.
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  • I craft identity systems and emotionally charged visual language involving custom type, logotypes, lettering, illustration, patterning, packaging design, collateral, and digital assets, among other crafts.
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  • I teach calligraphy and lettering at my studio in Melbourne. I run corporate workshops and private 1:1 classes.
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  • I offer public speaking engagements at design conferences, in-house agencies and universities.
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  • 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.
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  • I don’t do wedding calligraphy or wedding stationery.
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Selected Clients

  • Inaria Luxury Brand Design, Art Centre Tinglado 2, Art Centre La Panera, Hardie Grant, Shillington College, The Cleverness, McCANN Melbourne, University of Melbourne, National Trust of Australia (Victoria), Esprit, Megan Park, Country Road, Retro Print Revival, Chorus, Hew, Australian Red Cross, Makedo, Queensland Health, Zara, Mango, Massimo Dutti and Uterqüe among others.

Featured Talks

  • 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

Press Publications

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

Rotson Studios (Fitzroy), Melbourne. Photograph by Peter Tarasiuk