HELLO!
I'm Maria, and I've been crafting digital experiences for brands for over 12 years.
I'm Maria, and I've been crafting digital experiences for brands for over 12 years.
THE PERSON BEHIND THE PIXELS
I’m passionate about user-centric design and creative problem-solving that helps people and businesses thrive. I believe in doing great work with great people and to never stop learning - I even have a tattoo to prove it.
Originally from Birmingham, I was drawn to Manchester in 2011 for university and have called it home ever since. Whilst my weekdays are spent at CTI Digital, on weeknights and weekends you’ll usually find me playing or watching football, rustling up a Mob Kitchen recipe, or catching up with friends in some of Manchester’s brilliant bars and restaurants.
Let's chat - contact me via the links below.
I’m passionate about user-centric design and creative problem-solving that helps people and businesses thrive. I believe in doing great work with great people and to never stop learning - I even have a tattoo to prove it.
Originally from Birmingham, I was drawn to Manchester in 2011 for university and have called it home ever since. Whilst my weekdays are spent at CTI Digital, on weeknights and weekends you’ll usually find me playing or watching football, rustling up a Mob Kitchen recipe, or catching up with friends in some of Manchester’s brilliant bars and restaurants.
Let's chat - contact me via the links below.
THE STORY SO FAR
HEAD OF DIGITAL DESIGN (UX/UI)
LESNIAK SWANN
Oct 2024 - Nov 2025
Following the acquisiton of Don't be Shy, I led all digital and UX/UI design projects for the agency. Taking an active role throughout, from early workshop stage, through to design, test, delivery and ongoing optimisation.
SENIOR EXPERIENCE DESIGNER
CTI DIGITAL
Dec 2025 - Present
HEAD OF DESIGN
DON'T BE SHY
Apr 2023 - Oct 2024
Responsible for ensuring excellence in all creative and UX/UI design outputs of the agency. As a member of the Senior Management Team I assisted in the strategic running of the business and managed the Creative Team's professional development.
SENIOR DIGITAL DESIGNER
DON'T BE SHY
Jul 2022 - Apr 2023
Mentored junior members of the Creative Team whilst leading the creative on various brand and digital projects for clients such as M&S, Uber and TPXimpact. Involved in new business pitches, demonstrating our strong insight-led approach.
MIDWEIGHT DIGITAL DESIGNER
DON'T BE SHY
Nov 2021 - Jul 2022
Led the rebrand and new website for global edtech company, Kognity. Introduced and maintainted the agency design system library to streamline projects and improve the Creative Team workflow.
LEAD DESIGNER
DESIGN BY DAY
May 2019 - Nov 2021
Led numerous brand and website projects for clients such as Joseph Holt, Octagon Theatre. Stretford Public Hall and Manchester Jazz Festival. Assisted the Creative Director in new business pitches.
BRAND & DIGITAL DESIGNER
DESIGN BY DAY
Jul 2014 - May 2019
Worked alongside senior team members on a range of digital and print projects for the likes of Arts Council England, the NHS, University of Manchester and Barnardo's. Involved in various workshops to understand how best to meet client goals.
THE STORY
SO FAR
SENIOR EXPERIENCE DESIGNER
CTI DIGITIAL
Dec 2025 - Present
SENIOR EXPERIENCE DESIGNER
CTI DIGITIAL
Dec 2025 - Present
HEAD OF DIGITAL DESIGN (UX/UI)
LESNIAK SWANN
Oct 2024 - Nov 2025
Following the acquisiton of Don't be Shy, I led all digital and UX/UI design projects for the agency. Taking an active role throughout, from early workshop stage, through to design, test, delivery and ongoing optimisation.
HEAD OF DIGITAL DESIGN (UX/UI)
LESNIAK SWANN
Oct 2024 - Nov 2025
Following the acquisiton of Don't be Shy, I led all digital and UX/UI design projects for the agency. Taking an active role throughout, from early workshop stage, through to design, test, delivery and ongoing optimisation.
HEAD OF DESIGN
DON'T BE SHY
Apr 2023 - Oct 2024
Responsible for ensuring excellence in all creative and UX/UI design outputs of the agency. As a member of the Senior Management Team I assisted in the strategic running of the business and managed the Creative Team's professional development.
HEAD OF DESIGN
DON'T BE SHY
Apr 2023 - Oct 2024
Responsible for ensuring excellence in all creative and UX/UI design outputs of the agency. As a member of the Senior Management Team I assisted in the strategic running of the business and managed the Creative Team's professional development.
SENIOR DIGITAL DESIGNER
DON'T BE SHY
Jul 2022 - Apr 2023
Mentored junior members of the Creative Team whilst leading the creative on various brand and digital projects for clients such as M&S, Uber and TPXimpact. Involved in new business pitches, demonstrating our strong insight-led approach.
SENIOR DIGITAL DESIGNER
DON'T BE SHY
Jul 2022 - Apr 2023
Mentored junior members of the Creative Team whilst leading the creative on various brand and digital projects for clients such as M&S, Uber and TPXimpact. Involved in new business pitches, demonstrating our strong insight-led approach.
MIDWEIGHT DIGITAL DESIGNER
DON'T BE SHY
Nov 2021 - July 2022
Led the rebrand and new website for global edtech company, Kognity. Introduced and maintainted the agency design system library to streamline projects and improve the Creative Team workflow.
MIDWEIGHT DIGITAL DESIGNER
DON'T BE SHY
Nov 2021 - July 2022
Led the rebrand and new website for global edtech company, Kognity. Introduced and maintainted the agency design system library to streamline projects and improve the Creative Team workflow.
LEAD DESIGNER
DESIGN BY DAY
May 2019 - Nov 2021
Led numerous brand and website projects for clients such as Joseph Holt, Octagon Theatre. Stretford Public Hall and Manchester Jazz Festival. Assisted the Creative Director in new business pitches.
LEAD DESIGNER
DESIGN BY DAY
May 2019 - Nov 2021
Led numerous brand and website projects for clients such as Joseph Holt, Octagon Theatre. Stretford Public Hall and Manchester Jazz Festival. Assisted the Creative Director in new business pitches.
BRAND & DIGITAL DESIGNER
DESIGN BY DAY
July 2014 - May 2019
Worked alongside senior team members on a range of digital and print projects for the likes of Arts Council England, the NHS, University of Manchester and Barnardo's. Involved in various workshops to understand how best to meet client goals.
BRAND & DIGITAL DESIGNER
DESIGN BY DAY
July 2014 - May 2019
Worked alongside senior team members on a range of digital and print projects for the likes of Arts Council England, the NHS, University of Manchester and Barnardo's. Involved in various workshops to understand how best to meet client goals.