Lucía Merlo, Designer in Madrid, Spain
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Lucía Merlo

Verified Expert  in Design

Bio

A visual designer, Lucía has spent the last ten years working with companies and museums like IKEA, LEGO, Munch Museum, and the Museum of the Future, helping them build experiences for their customers. She is a keen problem solver and can deliver visual guidelines, exhibition artwork, event design, interface design, illustrations, and animations. Lucía loves challenging herself to find a unique voice for each project and developing it further through innovative yet simple visual communication.

Portfolio

Work Experience

Design Consultant (Freelance)

2012 - PRESENT
Lucía Merlo
  • Designed a digital campaign for a private learning institution, which significantly increased the number of students enrolled.
  • Created an animated presentation deck for an innovation hub project, which attracted the interest of multiple collaborators. As a result, the project is now in the process of coming to fruition.
  • Designed animated GIFs and an Apple Watch game for kids, which attracted the interest of several investors.
  • Led the design of an AI-powered app for high school students. Crafted a full UI system with custom illustrations and animations, and collaborated on testing to ensure a user-friendly experience focused on enhancing creative development.
Technologies: 2D Graphics, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Photoshop, Animation, Art Direction, Editorial Design, Data Visualization, Motion Graphics, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Email Design, Email Templates, Multimedia, Video Design, Multimedia Design, Marketing Collateral Development, Pitch Decks, Visual Assets, Marketing Design, User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Advertising Design, Brochure Design, Adobe Creative Suite, 2D Animation, Dashboard Design, Dashboards, Label Design, Character Illustration, Typography, Color Palettes, Package Design, Packaging, UI Branding, Healthcare, Graphic Design, Design, Health IT, Icon Design, Naming, Consumer-facing Product Design, Presentations, Poster Design, Creative Design, PowerPoint Design, Design Leadership, PowerPoint Templates, Microsoft PowerPoint, Landing Pages, Web, Print, Visual Design Language, Executive Presentations, Funding Presentations, eCommerce, Shopify, Fashion & Beauty, Luxury Goods, Mockups, Style Guides, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Printing Materials, Iconography, Director, Animated GIFs, Videos, Animated Videos, Animated Explainer Videos, B2C, Vector Illustration, Advertising, Maps, Consumer Products, UX Design, Digital Illustration, Web UI, Brand Identity, Brand Strategy, Food & Beverage, 2D Illustrations, Squarespace, Newsletter Design, Tablet UI, Usability, Web UX Design, Responsive UX Design, Tablet UX, Web UI Design, Web Usability, Mobile UI, UX Wireframes, Mobile UX, Diagrams, Conceptual Design, MVP Design, User Journeys, Design Systems, Wireframing, Information Architecture (IA), Visual Storytelling, Figma, Prototyping, Website Redesign, User Experience Design, Visual Communication, Brainstorming, Communication Design, Vector Graphics, Product Design, User Testing, Rapid Prototyping, User Flows, Concept Development, Visual Brand Guidelines, Brand Awareness, Project Management, Cross-functional Collaboration, Detail-oriented

Motion Design Specialist

2024 - 2024
Reformation
  • Delivered two animated explainer videos within a week, optimizing the client’s script by reducing the length and restructuring it into two more engaging, manageable scripts.
  • Designed over 60 unique, hand-drawn illustrations to create a warm, human visual language that stayed true to the brand identity.
  • Received client praise for clear communication, problem-solving approach, and deep understanding of the brand, which resulted in a creative yet brand-aligned outcome.
  • Coordinated voiceover casting and sound design to ensure a cohesive final product.
Technologies: Animation, Motion Graphics, 2D Animation, Video Design, Video Editing, Visual Design

Product and Brand Designer

2024 - 2024
NanoNebula LLC
  • Designed and implemented a cohesive brand identity for the parent company and its first product, ensuring a consistent visual language across all platforms.
  • Designed and prioritized core app features for the MVP, focusing on key functionalities that address the primary needs of theater students, ensuring a streamlined and effective user experience from the initial launch.
  • Created high-fidelity UI mockups and interactive prototypes for the app and websites, leading to a client approval rate of 95% on the first review.
  • Executed a full Figma handoff to the development team, providing detailed design specifications and assets, which streamlined the development process and reduced implementation errors.
  • Produced visually compelling promotional materials for the app’s pre-launch, which contributed to generating early interest and positive feedback from potential users.
  • Led user research and testing sessions, gathering feedback that informed iterative design improvements and resulted in a user-centered final product.
Technologies: Web Design, Branding, Visual Design, App Design, Illustration, Motion Design, 2D Animation, Ad Banners, Brand Design, Product Design, App UI, Web UI, App UX, User Experience Design, Visual Communication, Brainstorming, Communication Design, Vector Graphics, User Flows, Visual Brand Guidelines, Digital Innovation, Detail-oriented

Brand Strategist and Designer

2024 - 2024
Puppapets - The Selected Label LLC
  • Developed the complete branding for a new pet product company, including a distinctive logo, comprehensive visual system, and a detailed brand book, ensuring a cohesive and compelling brand identity to effectively represent it across all platforms.
  • Conducted in-depth user interviews with cat owners and the company owner to gather valuable insights, which were used to establish the brand voice, personality, mission, and values, creating a strong foundation for the brand's identity and strategy.
  • Designed innovative packaging concepts and a user-friendly website, producing engaging logo animations to enhance brand visibility and meticulously prepare the brand for a successful launch, with products set to sell before Christmas.
Technologies: Branding, Brand Strategy, eCommerce, Advertising, Consumer Products, Food & Beverage, Workshops, Brand Identity, Logo Design, Color Palettes, Typography, Brand Guidelines, Advertising Design, Visual Design, Marketing Design, Web UX Design, Web UI Design, User Journeys, Design Systems, Visual Communication, Brainstorming, Communication Strategy, Vector Graphics, Concept Development, Visual Brand Guidelines, Brand Awareness, Detail-oriented

Visual Designer

2024 - 2024
Invygo Tech FZ
  • Worked with the chief financial officer, refining presentation slides to communicate the company's challenges and success.
  • Illustrated several concepts and statistics to provide a clear and simple representation of their vision.
  • Contributed to their visual brand with multiple icons and vector drawings that they can use on different presentations.
Technologies: Visual Design, Presentation Design, Presentations, Adobe Creative Suite, Apple Keynote, Graphic Design, Branding, Digital Illustration, 2D Illustrations, Diagrams, Design Systems, Visual Storytelling, Communication, Visual Communication, Communication Design, Vector Graphics, Board Decks, Detail-oriented

Graphic Designer

2024 - 2024
Vadim Klet
  • Created a whole concept for an amusement park proposed within a shopping mall.
  • Carried along tasks such as concept development, market research, visual identity, naming, illustrations, and pitch deck design.
  • Worked on this concept, which won over competitors such as Uniqlo and is currently under development.
Technologies: Presentation Design, Pitch Decks, Graphic Design, Logo Design, Presentations, Mockups, 3D Mockups, Creative Direction, 2D Illustrations, Design Systems, Visual Communication, Brainstorming, Vector Graphics, Visual Brand Guidelines, Detail-oriented

Visual Designer

2023 - 2023
ECONWARD TECH LLC
  • Designed and implemented a visually compelling infographic to communicate a sophisticated waste management model, transforming a complex process into an easily understandable and aesthetically pleasing presentation.
  • Integrated technical insights from the director of operations and sales perspectives to create a cohesive infographic that communicated the environmental advantages and addressed the concerns and needs of key stakeholders.
  • Leveraged the infographic as a catalyst for elevating the brand's communication style, establishing a visually engaging and cohesive illustration style that resonates with the modern and environmentally conscious ethos.
Technologies: Adobe Photoshop, Branding, Infographics, Visual Design, Adobe Illustrator, Environmental Graphics, Professional Services, Iconography, Vector Illustration, Digital Illustration, 2D Illustrations, Diagrams, Design Systems, Visual Storytelling, Visual Communication, Communication Strategy, Vector Graphics, Brand Awareness, Detail-oriented

Visual Designer

2023 - 2023
Invygo Tech FZ-LLC
  • Developed and implemented a creative and innovative design illustration concept for presentation backgrounds based on the client's visual identity, while introducing a new layer of symbolism.
  • Crafted visually compelling illustrations that strategically conveyed the narrative outlined by the client.
  • Produced tailor-made infographics that not only adhered to the client's requirements but also added a unique and impactful visual dimension to the presentation.
  • Received high praise and positive feedback from the client for the delivered design work.
Technologies: Visual Design, Presentation Design, Presentations, Adobe Creative Suite, Apple Keynote, Graphic Design, Branding, Style Guides, Iconography, Vector Illustration, Digital Illustration, 2D Illustrations, Diagrams, Design Systems, Visual Communication, Brainstorming, Communication Design, Communication Strategy, Vector Graphics, Board Decks, Detail-oriented

Creative Director

2022 - 2023
Talkiatry
  • Refined the pre-existing brand identity by adding innovative motion principles to communicate the brand values in advertising.
  • Created multiple concepts aligned with the new brand identity to infuse deeper meaning into visual assets.
  • Developed a comprehensive digital campaign featuring over 60 assets across five distinct channels, including social media and various TV platforms.
Technologies: Art Direction, Branding, Visual Design, Concepting, Motion Design, Campaign Design, Social Media Design, Social Media, Ad Design, Adobe Photoshop, Digital Design, Digital Graphics, Illustrator CC, Motion Graphics, Multimedia, Sound Design, Video Design, Multimedia Design, Marketing Collateral Development, Design Direction, Visual Assets, Storytelling, Marketing Design, User Interface (UI), Advertising Design, Adobe Creative Suite, 2D Animation, Lottie, Landing Page Design, Color Palettes, Healthcare, Creative Direction, Graphic Design, Design, Icon Design, Presentations, Banner Design, Banner Ads, Animated Banners, Ad Banners, Creative Design, Landing Pages, Web, Print, Visual Design Language, Mockups, Iconography, Animated GIFs, Videos, Animated Videos, Vector Illustration, Advertising, UX Design, Digital Illustration, Web UI, Brand Identity, Brand Strategy, 2D Illustrations, Web UX Design, Responsive UX Design, Web UI Design, Diagrams, Conceptual Design, Visual Storytelling, Visual Communication, Brainstorming, Communication Design, Communication Strategy, Vector Graphics, Concept Development, Visual Brand Guidelines, Brand Awareness, Cross-functional Collaboration, Detail-oriented

Art Director

2017 - 2022
YOKE
  • Worked with IKEA and LEGO. Delivered visual concepts for various interactive and physical experiences under tight deadlines.
  • Designed a graphic identity for DI Topmødet, an international business event that gathers critical actors in the Danish industry. After a positive process and results, the same project was commissioned by the agency again for three years in a row.
  • Won an international competition to work with Munch Museum in Oslo. The exhibition got positive reviews from the international media as well as enthusiastic comments from visitors from around the world.
  • Developed more than 30 unique character animations for the new Museum of the Future in Dubai. For the same project, I designed 120 animated mandalas, the essence of an interactive installation about the senses.
Technologies: Adobe InDesign, Figma, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Illustrator, Drawing, Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography, Design, Design Thinking, Motion Design, Art Direction, Infographics, After Effects CC, 2D Graphics, Visual Design, Food Illustration, Websites, Brand Design, Logo Design, PDF Design, Web Design, Motion & Animation Design, UX Design, Presentation Design, Interactive UI, UI Design, Pitch Presentations, Web App Design, Prototyping, Logotype, Photoshop CC, Photo Editors, Artwork, Web to Print, Digital Design, Brand Books, Motion Logo Design, Digital Graphics, Print Design, Posters, Illustrator CC, Banner, Canva, Data Visualization, Motion Graphics, Video Editing, Multimedia, Video Design, Multimedia Design, Marketing Collateral Development, Design Direction, Interactive Prototypes, Pitch Decks, Visual Assets, Storytelling, Responsive UI, Marketing Materials, Brochure Design, Adobe Creative Suite, 2D Animation, Mobile Design, Mobile UI Design, Mobile UX Design, Landing Page Design, Character Illustration, Character Design, Typography, Color Palettes, Experience Design, Interactive Videos, UI Branding, Healthcare, Creative Direction, Touchscreens, Interior Design, Museums & Exhibits, Stop-motion Animation, Health IT, User Experience (UX), Gaming, UI Animation, Event Artwork, Icon Design, Presentations, Poster Design, App UI, Mobile, Layout, Interaction Design (IxD), iOS Animations, iOS, App Design, Creative Design, Design Leadership, Workshop Facilitation, Web, Print, Visual Design Language, Executive Presentations, Funding Presentations, WordPress, Mockups, Style Guides, Printing Materials, Iconography, Director, Animated GIFs, Videos, Animated Videos, Adobe Premiere Pro, Mobile App Design, Vector Illustration, Maps, Digital Illustration, Web UI, Brand Identity, Workshops, Brand Strategy, 2D Illustrations, Usability, Web UX Design, Responsive UX Design, Tablet UX, Web UI Design, Web Usability, Mobile UI, UX Wireframes, Mobile UX, Diagrams, Conceptual Design, Brochures, MVP Design, User Journeys, Design Systems, Wireframing, Information Architecture (IA), Visual Storytelling, Interactive Design, Website Redesign, Game Design, User Experience Design, Communication, Visual Communication, Brainstorming, Internal Communications, Communication Design, Communication Strategy, Vector Graphics, Product Design, User Testing, Rapid Prototyping, User Flows, Concept Development, Visual Brand Guidelines, Digital Innovation, Brand Awareness, Cross-functional Collaboration, Detail-oriented

Graphic Designer

2014 - 2017
YOKE
  • Designed illustrations for a permanent exhibition of the largest aquarium in Northern Europe, the National Aquarium Denmark (Den Blå Planet), becoming our regular client since then.
  • Designed an interactive installation for Ørsted, the largest energy company in Denmark. It consisted of projections on a wall that, when triggered by motion sensors, would show an entire cycle of resources until they become heat and electricity.
  • Won an open competition to develop a visual identity for FiSK, a national research and communication project around fish. It would, later on, become a project for two years. This project changed the way Danish children perceive fish in their diet.
Technologies: Adobe After Effects, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Drawing, Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography, Design, Motion Design, Infographics, After Effects CC, 2D Graphics, Visual Design, Brand Design, Logo Design, PDF Design, Web Design, Motion & Animation Design, Presentation Design, Interactive UI, UI Design, Pitch Presentations, Web App Design, Logotype, Photoshop CC, Artwork, Web to Print, Digital Design, Motion Logo Design, Digital Graphics, Print Design, Posters, Illustrator CC, Banner, Motion Graphics, Marketing Collateral Development, Visual Assets, Adobe Creative Suite, 2D Animation, Typography, Color Palettes, Touchscreens, Museums & Exhibits, Stop-motion Animation, User Experience (UX), Event Artwork, Icon Design, Presentations, Poster Design, Creative Design, Web, Print, Visual Design Language, Funding Presentations, Mockups, Style Guides, Printing Materials, Iconography, Vector Illustration, UX Design, Digital Illustration, Web UI, 2D Illustrations, Responsive UX Design, Tablet UX, Web UI Design, Mobile UI, UX Wireframes, Mobile UX, MVP Design, Design Systems, Wireframing, Visual Storytelling, Website Redesign, Visual Communication, Vector Graphics, Concept Development, Detail-oriented

Digital Experience Designer

2014 - 2014
Designit
  • Worked for Novo Nordisk, fine-tuning the design production of three interactive digital experiences at the EASD Annual Meeting, one of the largest scientific congresses in Europe.
  • Designed a social media app for Merial, a US-based animal health company.
  • Became part of a core internal design team, helping out in the company's new graphic identity process.
Technologies: Adobe After Effects, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Graphic Design, Design, Motion Design, 2D Graphics, Visual Design, UI Animation, PDF Design, Motion & Animation Design, Presentation Design, Interactive UI, UI Design, Photoshop CC, Digital Design, Motion Logo Design, Digital Graphics, Illustrator CC, Motion Graphics, Marketing Collateral Development, Brochure Design, Adobe Creative Suite, Color Palettes, Health IT, User Experience (UX), Icon Design, Creative Design, Web, Visual Design Language, Mockups, Iconography, Vector Illustration, Digital Illustration, Mobile UI, UX Wireframes, Mobile UX, User Journeys, Design Systems, Wireframing, Visual Communication, Vector Graphics, User Flows, Detail-oriented

Graphic Designer

2013 - 2013
Greenpeace
  • Designed several social media pieces that were effectively shared by thousands of users, starting conversations about different environmental problems.
  • Created content for a monthly subscriber's magazine, bringing new donors at a time when the organization needed to increase its income rapidly.
  • Participated in an urgent campaign that brought back 30 activists retained in a boat in the Arctic.
Technologies: Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Illustrator, Drawing, Graphic Design, Illustration, Design, Infographics, 2D Graphics, Visual Design, PDF Design, Presentation Design, Data Visualization, Adobe Creative Suite, Typography, Color Palettes, Banner Design, Banner Ads, Animated Banners, Ad Banners, Creative Design, Print, Visual Design Language, Mockups, Printing Materials, Iconography, Vector Illustration, Digital Illustration, 2D Illustrations, Visual Communication, Vector Graphics, Detail-oriented

Graphic Design Intern

2011 - 2011
IS Creative Studio
  • Designed artwork for an annual photography festival, Getxophoto, which gathered the best young photographers in Europe. The festival's identity was a success, and the studio designed it three years in a row.
  • Produced a design item called Fantone. Carried along the logistics, contacted manufacturers in China, and designed the packaging.
  • Developed the visual production of Caravana, a restaurant chain in Lima, Peru.
Technologies: Adobe InDesign, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Graphic Design, Design, 2D Graphics, Visual Design, Brand Design, Logo Design, PDF Design, Web Design, Presentation Design, Collateral Design, Logotype, Brochure Design, Adobe Creative Suite, Typography, Color Palettes, Package Design, Packaging, Museums & Exhibits, Creative Design, Print, Visual Design Language, Printing Materials, Iconography, Vector Illustration, Advertising, Digital Illustration, Brand Identity, Visual Communication, Brainstorming, Vector Graphics, Detail-oriented
2007 - 2012

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fine Arts

Complutense University of Madrid - Madrid, Spain

2010 - 2011

Exchange Program in Design

School of Arts, Design, and Architecture | Aalto University - Helsinki, Finland

AUGUST 2024 - PRESENT

AI for Visual Design

Designlab

Tools

Figma, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, After Effects CC, Photoshop CC, Illustrator CC, Banner, Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft PowerPoint, Apple Keynote, Adobe Premiere Pro, Photo Editors, AI Tools

Languages

Visual Design Language

Industry Expertise

Healthcare, Professional Services, Fashion & Beauty, Luxury Goods, Advertising, Consumer Products, Food & Beverage

Platforms

Mobile, iOS, Web, Shopify, Director, WordPress

Other

Graphic Design, Design, Illustration, Motion Design, Art Direction, User Interface (UI), Museums & Exhibits, Motion Graphics, Animation, Brand Guidelines, Visual Design, 2D Graphics, Infographics, Logo Design, PDF Design, Web Design, Branding, Motion & Animation Design, UX Design, Presentation Design, UI Design, Pitch Presentations, Web App Design, Prototyping, Logotype, Social Media Design, Social Media, Ad Design, Artwork, Web to Print, Digital Design, Brand Books, Motion Logo Design, Digital Graphics, Print Design, Posters, Data Visualization, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Multimedia, Video Design, Multimedia Design, Marketing Collateral Development, Pitch Decks, Visual Assets, Storytelling, Marketing Design, Advertising Design, Brochure Design, 2D Animation, Label Design, Typography, Color Palettes, Experience Design, Interactive Videos, UI Branding, Creative Direction, Touchscreens, Event Branding, Icon Design, Presentations, Poster Design, Banner Design, Banner Ads, Animated Banners, Ad Banners, App UI, Layout, Interaction Design (IxD), iOS Animations, App Design, Creative Design, PowerPoint Design, Design Leadership, Workshop Facilitation, Landing Pages, Print, Executive Presentations, Funding Presentations, eCommerce, Environmental Graphics, Mockups, Style Guides, Printing Materials, Iconography, Animated GIFs, Videos, Animated Videos, Animated Explainer Videos, B2C, Vector Illustration, Maps, Digital Illustration, Web UI, 2D Illustrations, Tablet UI, Usability, Web UX Design, Responsive UX Design, Tablet UX, Web UI Design, Diagrams, Conceptual Design, Brochures, Design Systems, Wireframing, Visual Storytelling, Interactive Design, Website Redesign, Game Design, User Experience Design, Communication, Visual Communication, Brainstorming, Internal Communications, Communication Design, Communication Strategy, Vector Graphics, User Testing, Board Decks, Concept Development, Visual Brand Guidelines, Digital Innovation, Brand Awareness, Project Management, Cross-functional Collaboration, Detail-oriented, Drawing, Photography, Product Design, User Experience (UX), Brand Design, Event Artwork, Interactive UI, Collateral Design, Book Cover Design, Video Editing, Sound Design, Design Direction, Interactive Prototypes, Responsive UI, Marketing Materials, Dashboard Design, Dashboards, Lottie, Mobile Design, Mobile UI Design, Mobile UX Design, Landing Page Design, Character Illustration, Character Design, Package Design, Packaging, Consumer-facing Product Design, PowerPoint Templates, Mobile App Design, Brand Identity, Workshops, Brand Strategy, Squarespace, Newsletter Design, Web Usability, Mobile UI, UX Wireframes, Mobile UX, MVP Design, User Journeys, Information Architecture (IA), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Rapid Prototyping, User Flows, Art History, Philosophy, Design Thinking, Ethical Design, Visual Identity, Corporate, Stop-motion Animation, Health IT, Digital Health, Business, Politics, Unity, Gaming, UI Animation, Event Design, Food Illustration, Websites, Concepting, Campaign Design, Editorial Design, Email Design, Email Templates, Interior Design, Naming, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), 3D Mockups, App UX, Motion AI

Experience

  • Drawing - 15 years
  • Illustration - 11 years
  • Design - 10 years
  • Motion Design - 10 years
  • Adobe Illustrator - 10 years
  • Adobe After Effects - 10 years
  • Graphic Design - 10 years
  • Art Direction - 6 years

Tools

  • Adobe After Effects
  • Adobe Illustrator
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