Curriculum Vitae

A curious and adaptive creative currently specializing in design thinking, info design and UX/UI for AI solutions


University-educated designer with strong visual expertise, experienced in freelance, in-house and agency settings. Academic training provided conceptual and critical thinking skills, versatile communication skills, and project management skills due to heavy demands of assignments and research. Balanced internships during the last two years while completing degree and minor requirements as well as landing first agency opportunity before graduation, where I have devised print/digital content and worked within small teams meeting impossible deadlines. 

Currently leveraging design expertise while developing strategic business sense for AI within a major consulting firm, helping clients across industries from consumer; energy, resources and industrial; financial services; government and public services; life science and healthcare; and technology, media and telecom.


Education

BDes Graphic Design, Art History minor | OCAD University, Toronto
2012–2017

OCAD U's Graphic Design curriculum has a strong focus on design process, typography, image-making and critical, strategic thinking. It engages students in the creation of principled, conceptually strong, imaginative and formally sound responses to many types of issues.

Students discover the impact of graphic design in the larger context of culture and society. They learn to design with humility while minimizing harm and emphasize the good. They are encouraged to use design to challenge stereotypes and generate dialogue as they explore complex concepts and develop their aesthetic.

The Art History minor includes a wide range of historical and contemporary art history courses. Students may choose to focus on specific areas such contemporary art history (20th century), European art history, global art history (non-Western) or on issues in criticism and theory.

(Source: ocadu.ca)

Major courses

  • Branding: Strategic Organization
  • Think Tank: Awareness
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Sustainable Design Practices
  • Interactive Media: Web
  • Editorial Design: Authorship
  • Experience Design
  • Experimental Typography
  • Package Design

Minor courses

  • Modernism and Postmodernism
  • The History and Theory of Art Criticism
  • Contemporary East Asian Art
  • Issues in Inuit Art


Experience

Designer | AI Strategy, Omnia, Deloitte Canada's AI practice
July 2019–Present

Part of the Information Design team for AI Strategy and working in cross-functional team settings, helping transform clients business objectives into data-driven solutions through design thinking methodology and UX/UI best practices for AI solutions across industry sectors.

Designer | Centre of Excellence & Greenhouse, Financial Advisory, Deloitte Canada
July 2018–June 2019

Working within a tight-knit team, played a key role as creative designer for various analytics initiatives with a focus on labs and events for Deloitte Greenhouse, an incubator for design and innovation strategy.

Junior Designer | Pigeon Brands
October 2017–April 2018

Continuing to work collaboratively with ECDs, Client Services, Strategy, and Creative teams, owned design tasks and jobs with a focus on digital projects including web page designs and social media content. Major project included leading the design of Pigeon's website refresh featuring the company's new identity.

Graphic Design Intern | Pigeon Brands
June 2017–October 2017

Worked and learned with professional design, concept and marketing team to support creative production in brand identity, integrated campaign programs, point-of-sale advertising, strategy and ideation for national and international clients. Major project included design and art direction support for a campaign program for a new Vuse Vapor product. 

Digital Banking Marketing Intern | Equitable Bank
August 2016–December 2016

Worked and learned with Digital Banking Department on various marketing initiatives including branding, sponsorships, PR campaigns and events, product and customer research; content and social media strategies. 

Communications and Marketing Summer Student/Graphic Designer | Ontario College of Trades
May 2014–October 2014

Worked and learned with Communications and Marketing team on various marketing initiatives. Designed promotional and corporate materials, presentations, social media assets, editorial and OOH advertisement. Major project included designing a youth microsite with in-house web developer.

Specialties

  • Strategic branding
  • Art direction
  • Visual identity
  • UX and UI design
  • Marketing / advertising
  • Typography / layout
  • Information design
  • Web and digital
  • Experiential
  • Packaging

Presentations & Critiques

Guest Critique
December 2017

Invited by OCADU Professor Isabel Meirelles as guest alumni to offer constructive feedback on students presentation and work.

Guest Speaker
November 2017

Invited by OCADU Professor Isabel Meirelles to present to current fourth-year graphic design students.

Guest Speaker
May 2017

On behalf of thesis Professor Sheila Sampath, presented and participated in a discussion panel as graduating student alongside select professors and peers to third-year students.

Awards

Project 31 Graphic Design Award
May 2017

Granted by private donor affiliate of OCAD University for undergraduate thesis project The Aut(hers) exhibited at GradEx 102. Winner selected by a jury.


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© MARICAR LEONARDO 2022
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