MariA vela

Character design is one of the most powerful tools to tell a story—and Maria’s favorite area to work and teach in. She helps artists create characters that go far beyond visual appeal: characters that connect deeply with personality, emotional arcs, psychology, environment, and narrative purpose.
Whether starting from foundational principles or diving into advanced techniques and storytelling strategies, Maria guides artists in shaping designs that are meaningful, expressive, and truly built to belong in their world. For her, great character design isn’t just about how they look—it’s about who they are, and how their design reflects that.

Maria contributes to worldbuilding by developing moodboards, concept art, and key visual explorations that define a project’s tone, palette, and artistic direction. Her goal is to build cohesive visual languages that elevate storytelling and help teams connect emotionally with the world before a single frame is animated. She thrives in collaboration with directors and art teams to bring imagined worlds to life.

Maria views props as essential storytelling elements—whether it’s a magical object with emotional weight or a background detail that supports the logic of a world. Her designs strike a balance between believability and stylization, ensuring every prop supports the story, complements the tone, and enhances the world it lives in.

For Maria, costume design is where personality meets silhouette. She creates outfits that reflect character identity, cultural context, and narrative progression, always paying attention to shape language, materials, and symbolism. Her costume work reveals not just how characters dress, but who they are.

As an Art Director, Maria brings both creative clarity and collaborative leadership. She guides visual development across departments, ensuring a unified artistic vision while supporting each artist’s contribution. She’s deeply invested in mentorship, providing feedback that’s both actionable and encouraging, and keeping the team aligned with the emotional and visual goals of the project.