Maryam Kianjam

Art Director, Digital Designer

I help brands communicate with intention by building systems that scale, teams that thrive, and visual stories that make lasting impressions.

How I Lead Design

Clarity first

Every project starts with understanding the problem, the people, and the goal. Clear direction early creates better decisions, fewer revisions, and work that feels intentional rather than rushed.

Clarity first

Every project starts with understanding the problem, the people, and the goal. Clear direction early creates better decisions, fewer revisions, and work that feels intentional rather than rushed.

Clarity first

Every project starts with understanding the problem, the people, and the goal. Clear direction early creates better decisions, fewer revisions, and work that feels intentional rather than rushed.

Systems that scale

I design frameworks, templates, and systems instead of one-off solutions. This helps teams move faster, stay consistent, and build work that holds up as products and brands grow.

Systems that scale

I design frameworks, templates, and systems instead of one-off solutions. This helps teams move faster, stay consistent, and build work that holds up as products and brands grow.

Systems that scale

I design frameworks, templates, and systems instead of one-off solutions. This helps teams move faster, stay consistent, and build work that holds up as products and brands grow.

Human-centered execution

Design succeeds when it respects real people. I balance strategy, usability, and craft to create experiences that feel intuitive, accessible, and emotionally considered.

Human-centered execution

Design succeeds when it respects real people. I balance strategy, usability, and craft to create experiences that feel intuitive, accessible, and emotionally considered.

Human-centered execution

Design succeeds when it respects real people. I balance strategy, usability, and craft to create experiences that feel intuitive, accessible, and emotionally considered.

FAQ.

What do I actually do?
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I shape ideas into clear, compelling visual experiences. My work sits at the intersection of art direction, UX, and design systems, helping brands communicate with clarity, consistency, and purpose across digital products and marketing.

How did I get into design?
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Many years ago, I spent hours drawing on my uncle’s Pentium II computer using PC Paint and Microsoft Paint (and no, I’m not trying to age myself here). Growing up in an artistic family meant creativity was always part of daily life. That early curiosity evolved into drawing, illustration, photography, and eventually led me to formally study graphic design in college and build a career around visual storytelling.

How do I approach a new project?
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I start by setting the foundation. I like to establish clear processes, templates, and structure before jumping into execution. Organizing the work early, defining systems, and aligning expectations allows the creative to move faster and more confidently later. I believe in sharpening the saw first, so the work that follows is focused, efficient, and intentional.

What kind of work excites me the most?
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I am most energized by work that sits at the intersection of brand, product, and systems. I love shaping visual languages, defining how things work together, and creating experiences that feel intentional across every touchpoint. Whether it is a design system, a product interface, or a campaign rollout, I enjoy work that brings clarity, consistency, and meaning at scale.

How do I approach leadership and collaboration?
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I lead by creating clarity first. Clear goals, strong foundations, and thoughtful systems give teams the confidence to do their best work. I care deeply about giving designers real opportunities to learn, grow, and stretch their skills, not just deliver outputs. I am influenced by the book Zapp! The Lightning of Empowerment, which focuses on trust, ownership, and unlocking people’s energy rather than controlling it. I believe great leadership removes friction, empowers decision making, and creates momentum. When people feel trusted and energized, creativity accelerates and the work becomes stronger, smarter, and more meaningful.

What excites me most about design right now?
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What excites me most is the intersection of design, systems, and emerging technology. I am especially interested in how AI is changing the way we think, design, and build, not as a replacement for creativity, but as a tool that sharpens it. When used intentionally, AI can remove repetitive friction, accelerate exploration, and give designers more space to think strategically and creatively. I enjoy exploring how new tools fit into real workflows, how systems can scale without losing craft, and how design can stay human even as technology evolves. For me, the future of design is not about doing more faster, but about doing better with more intention.

What do I actually do?
icon

I shape ideas into clear, compelling visual experiences. My work sits at the intersection of art direction, UX, and design systems, helping brands communicate with clarity, consistency, and purpose across digital products and marketing.

How did I get into design?
icon

Many years ago, I spent hours drawing on my uncle’s Pentium II computer using PC Paint and Microsoft Paint (and no, I’m not trying to age myself here). Growing up in an artistic family meant creativity was always part of daily life. That early curiosity evolved into drawing, illustration, photography, and eventually led me to formally study graphic design in college and build a career around visual storytelling.

How do I approach a new project?
icon

I start by setting the foundation. I like to establish clear processes, templates, and structure before jumping into execution. Organizing the work early, defining systems, and aligning expectations allows the creative to move faster and more confidently later. I believe in sharpening the saw first, so the work that follows is focused, efficient, and intentional.

What kind of work excites me the most?
icon

I am most energized by work that sits at the intersection of brand, product, and systems. I love shaping visual languages, defining how things work together, and creating experiences that feel intentional across every touchpoint. Whether it is a design system, a product interface, or a campaign rollout, I enjoy work that brings clarity, consistency, and meaning at scale.

How do I approach leadership and collaboration?
icon

I lead by creating clarity first. Clear goals, strong foundations, and thoughtful systems give teams the confidence to do their best work. I care deeply about giving designers real opportunities to learn, grow, and stretch their skills, not just deliver outputs. I am influenced by the book Zapp! The Lightning of Empowerment, which focuses on trust, ownership, and unlocking people’s energy rather than controlling it. I believe great leadership removes friction, empowers decision making, and creates momentum. When people feel trusted and energized, creativity accelerates and the work becomes stronger, smarter, and more meaningful.

What excites me most about design right now?
icon

What excites me most is the intersection of design, systems, and emerging technology. I am especially interested in how AI is changing the way we think, design, and build, not as a replacement for creativity, but as a tool that sharpens it. When used intentionally, AI can remove repetitive friction, accelerate exploration, and give designers more space to think strategically and creatively. I enjoy exploring how new tools fit into real workflows, how systems can scale without losing craft, and how design can stay human even as technology evolves. For me, the future of design is not about doing more faster, but about doing better with more intention.

What do I actually do?
icon

I shape ideas into clear, compelling visual experiences. My work sits at the intersection of art direction, UX, and design systems, helping brands communicate with clarity, consistency, and purpose across digital products and marketing.

How did I get into design?
icon

Many years ago, I spent hours drawing on my uncle’s Pentium II computer using PC Paint and Microsoft Paint (and no, I’m not trying to age myself here). Growing up in an artistic family meant creativity was always part of daily life. That early curiosity evolved into drawing, illustration, photography, and eventually led me to formally study graphic design in college and build a career around visual storytelling.

How do I approach a new project?
icon

I start by setting the foundation. I like to establish clear processes, templates, and structure before jumping into execution. Organizing the work early, defining systems, and aligning expectations allows the creative to move faster and more confidently later. I believe in sharpening the saw first, so the work that follows is focused, efficient, and intentional.

What kind of work excites me the most?
icon

I am most energized by work that sits at the intersection of brand, product, and systems. I love shaping visual languages, defining how things work together, and creating experiences that feel intentional across every touchpoint. Whether it is a design system, a product interface, or a campaign rollout, I enjoy work that brings clarity, consistency, and meaning at scale.

How do I approach leadership and collaboration?
icon

I lead by creating clarity first. Clear goals, strong foundations, and thoughtful systems give teams the confidence to do their best work. I care deeply about giving designers real opportunities to learn, grow, and stretch their skills, not just deliver outputs. I am influenced by the book Zapp! The Lightning of Empowerment, which focuses on trust, ownership, and unlocking people’s energy rather than controlling it. I believe great leadership removes friction, empowers decision making, and creates momentum. When people feel trusted and energized, creativity accelerates and the work becomes stronger, smarter, and more meaningful.

What excites me most about design right now?
icon

What excites me most is the intersection of design, systems, and emerging technology. I am especially interested in how AI is changing the way we think, design, and build, not as a replacement for creativity, but as a tool that sharpens it. When used intentionally, AI can remove repetitive friction, accelerate exploration, and give designers more space to think strategically and creatively. I enjoy exploring how new tools fit into real workflows, how systems can scale without losing craft, and how design can stay human even as technology evolves. For me, the future of design is not about doing more faster, but about doing better with more intention.