Let’s work together!
There’s so much we can do! Feel free to reach out for any questions or concerns. I’m happy to talk!
Email
maariyah.mustafa@gmail.com
Phone
+1 (201) 815-7800
Education
School of Visual Arts // New York, NY
BFA Animation Class of 2021
Illustration and visual concept work, industry level preproduction design, and digital compositing.
Google // UX Design Professional Certificate — 2023
UX research, wireframe building and mockup creation, low fidelity, high fidelity prototypes, design systems, responsive web and app design.
Awards & Honors
SVA Thesis Highlights in film festivals — 2021
Screened at TAAFI 2022
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards — 2014/2015
Gold key, silver key, and honorable mentions
Congressional Recognition — 2014
Tools
Motion | 2D | 3D |
---|---|---|
Harmony Pro | Photoshop | ZBrush |
Storyboard Pro | Illustrator | Autodesk Maya |
Adobe Animate | InDesign | Unreal Engine |
AfterEffects | XD | Substance |
Premiere Pro | Figma |
Skills
Editorial Design | Design Thinking |
Typography | Marketing content |
Printing Production | Copywriting + Editing |
Illustration | Communication |
Attention to Detail | Customer Service |
Collaboration | Empathy |
Experience
Media & Design Lead // Verne Adventures
March 2024-Present
Led visual asset creation for The Lost Lands of Verne, designing over 100 unique elements, icons, and game board components to ensure cohesive, immersive player experiences. Collaborated across departments to deliver high-fidelity mockups and playtest-ready prototypes, contributing to iterative UX/UI improvements that increased positive player feedback by 30%. Created visual assets and promotional materials used in community-building and crowdfunding, supporting a successful Kickstarter campaign raising over $50,000.
Digital Media & Project Manager // The Noor Project
March 2023-August 2025
Designed The Noor Project’s website using WordPress, from layout and interface design to image selection, typography, and brand integration. Designed all annual mailed collateral of which achieved a 38% open rate and a 12% donation conversion rate, helping surpass the $220,000 fundraising goal for the quarter. Streamlined the design workflow for fundraising collateral, reducing production turnaround time by 35%. Optimized donor landing pages, resulting in a 25% increase in completed online donations.
Illustrator // Curious Custom
August 2022-Present
Coloring book illustrator for custom client projects. Responsibilities include rendering vector graphics, editorial design and typography.
Freelance Designer + Illustrator
2018-Present
Graphic services for several clients including: Reload Graphicz, CMYK album/music videos, OFF-WORLD, Slam Sky, Twitch streamers
Print & Marketing Associate // Staples
July 2019-April 2023
Provided hands-on customer service. Relayed production information with remote artist teams and printing facilities. Directly involved in setup and printing clients materials, including business solutions.
Activities
UI/UX & Visual Design for fictional video games. Involves graphic design, typography, and compositing with several programs.
Leadership Positions in non-profit digital and printed zine work. Dabbles in entrepreneurship and merchandise creation/marketing.
Level Design and Content Designer in game projects such as Ludum Dare 54/55/56.