MAURA BEAR
[BENÍTEZ ARELLANO]
I’m a graphic designer and illustrator with a background in industrial design. After changing paths, my practice grew through experimentation, constant learning, and the people I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with.
I enjoy learning, blending techniques, and turning stories into visual systems. My work often reflects my love for food, music, and art—and I’m especially drawn to projects in those areas. You can take a closer look into my process here.
For creative collaborations, reach out: maurabenitez.are@gmail.com
Instagram
WHAT I DO
Illustration
Graphic Design
Editorial Design
Motion Design
Concept Development
Art Direction
3D Modeling
Web DesignTOOLS
Photoshop
Illustrator
Figma
After Effects
Premiere Pro
InDesign
Blender
Webflow
DESIGN ELEMENTS I’M PROUD OF
A SELECTION FROM DIFFERENT PROJECTS
These are specific design challenges I've struggled with and found joy in solving. If you're curious to learn more, feel free to reach out.
BUILDING AN ILLUSTRATION WORLD WITH FIGMA COMPONENTS
From the UPENN/NIH C4R Visual System
Full project here
Figma components are usually used in UI/UX for consistency and speed, and that's exactly what this project needed. I built the mascot as a component system. Instead of buttons or footers, each body part became a component—eyes, feet, wings, hats and accessories (at one point, even feathers were variants defined by the user). This made the mascot easier to update and keep consistent (and fun to use).
DESIGNING THIS LINE GRAPH TO BE CLEAR AND ENGAGING
From the FAO 60 Years Young Publication
Full project here
This is a very specific one.
Keeping hard data engaging was crucial for this book, and the line graph was especially tricky. My first iteration (left column), thankfully rejected by the art director, was painfully technical and plain. So I brought in color—not just because it's beautiful, but because it had been used throughout the document to differentiate each decade. This kept it engaging and easy to read even with all the data points together.
EXPLORING WITH DIGITAL AND ANALOG TOOLS
For the Hardcore Artbook Fair in CDMX
More artwork here
One of my favorite things is blending tools to create eye-catching visuals without a specific purpose or communication need. With the Hardcore Artbook Fair in CDMX as an excuse to print some risographs, I wanted to make a piece but wasn't sure where to start. Playing with Blender, I created this abstract shape, which I then worked on in Photoshop and printed with Impresos Mexico. I love the colors and exploration process.
(Only the risography is mine; all the other beautiful items from the stand are by Zamme Projects)
THESE WATERCOLORS THAT HELPED ME SHAPE MY STYLE
From the Llano Campaign
Full project here
This self-initiated project, inspired by my dad's 35mm slides, was purely to practice my skills. I took my time to experiment with different materials, even flour dough, but at one point I got really stuck, so I called him about that day. He said it was the '80s, so of course everyone wore colorful attire that contrasted with the endless blue and white mountains. Inspired by that and the long shadows on the snow, I created watercolors that brought me closer to the loose, expressive illustration style I have today.
ALL THESE HANDRAWN ILLUSTRATIONS
From the Electric Banana Visual Identity
Full project here
As a child, I always had a hard time drawing—it felt awkward and frustrated me. I abandoned it for a long time, except for product sketching classes in college. This project helped me go back to drawing and discover its expressive side.