Claudia Zelaya

About Me: My name is Claudia Zelaya, and I am a designer and illustrator based in Dallas, Texas. I feel, in many ways, that my mother and family nurtured my creativity. Growing up, I was surrounded by the prowess of her green thumb, with all the lush plants at every window. My father played guitar and sang, and my older brothers had imaginative skills. Creating art has been constant in my life, though I discovered my interest in design later on. During high school, my art teacher challenged me to explore a new form of art; I chose collage-making. I immediately fell in love with the idea of making a unique piece, forming a narrative, and experimenting with any materials. Since then, my enthusiasm for design has grown. I strive to create meaningfully crafted solutions to elevate everyday experiences as a designer. Branding, packaging, and editorial design are what excites me the most. This past year, I received recognition in the Packaging and Publication category from Salute, Student Design Competition, Graphex52, and DSVC National Student Show. In my free time, I enjoy exercising, listening to Kaytranada, eating dumplings, and spending time with my four cats, Simba, Tippy, Homer, and Oreo.

What’s something that is always on your work desk? My headphones – I love listening to podcasts while I work; my favorite is the H3 Podcast.