In Conversation: Arianna Ares, Creative Designer
Creative Designer Arianna Ares has worked in politics, won festival awards, and moved continents for her craft. Here's what she's learned.
What do you do, and for how many years have you been working in your field?
My official title is Creative Designer, but honestly, I wear a ton of different hats. On any given day, I'm doing anything from brand design and motion graphics to social media and producing. I've been navigating the creative world for about seven years now, and I love that it keeps me on my toes.
What did you do post-high school? Do you have a degree?
After high school, I went to Northern Arizona University, where I ended up double-majoring in graphic design and filmmaking. I worked full-time for a few years after graduating, but the itch to keep learning hit me, so I packed up my life in Arizona and moved to London to get my master's degree at Kingston University.
What do you wish someone had told you when you were starting out?
Looking back, I really wish someone had told me to find a mentor or an industry sounding board early on. I did a lot of stumbling through the whole process, job hunting, interviewing, managing clients, you name it. While that's a totally normal part of growing up, I really missed having someone in my corner who truly understood the field. I didn't need someone to just critique my portfolio; I just wanted genuine conversations and a little perspective.
What does breaking into your field actually look like — what are employers really looking for?
Breaking into this industry isn't a single "Eureka!" moment where you've suddenly made it. It's a slow build. To me, breaking through means finding confidence in your craft, building real connections, and getting to a place where you're proud of your work and willing to help others who are still climbing the ladder. Every company is looking for something different, too. Big agencies usually want reliable team players who crush deadlines, while medium-sized places might love it when you push boundaries and speak your mind. It's all about doing your homework to find where you actually want to fit.
Any advice for young people who want to do what you do?
My biggest piece of advice is to always challenge yourself and experiment. Don't be afraid to dabble in random, niche interests! I've found that even the weirdest little side hobbies end up helping my career at some point down the road. Plus, it keeps your work fresh and gives you something fun to do outside of your day job.
What do you actually do day-to-day — what does a typical week look like?
The absolute best part of my job is that no two days look the same. I usually kick things off with a morning chat with my boss to catch up and map out the day. I'm lucky to have a manager who gives me the breathing room to actually research and understand a brief before I dive in. From there, it's a total mix. Some days I'm deep in branding and social content, and other days I'm completely lost in motion graphics and animation.
What is the most exciting thing you've done/encountered throughout your career?
By far, the coolest thing I've ever done was animate a short film. It was easily the hardest, most grueling work of my life since I was the sole animator, but seeing the end result was incredibly satisfying. It actually went on to play at a few film festivals and won some awards, which I'm so incredibly proud of.
How did you get into your field? Was it a straight path or did it take a few unexpected turns?
My path definitely wasn't a straight line. I messed around with yearbook design and photography in high school, but I had no idea you could actually make a living doing it. Because of that, I actually spent my first year of university studying business, definitely not my finest hour! Once I switched to design and filmmaking, things clicked. After graduating, I ended up working in politics, designing for Democratic candidates through the 2019, 2020, and 2021 cycles. It was a massive pressure cooker, but it taught me so much about what I want out of my career.
What's the best and hardest thing about working in your industry?
The absolute best thing about this industry is the community. Meeting other creative people, making real connections, and being able to throw freelance gigs each other's way is just so cool. The toughest part? Keeping up with how fast the industry changes, and constantly having to educate people on the value of good design. Tools like Canva are awesome for what they are, but they don't replace deeply thought-out, strategic design. Good creativity shapes how everyone experiences the world, even if they don't realize it, and it's our job to show them how that magic happens.