︎Marissa Balbuena
![]()
is an Asian-Latina who utilizes her multidisciplinary approach to fine art and design as a tool for introspection and an enhancement of education. After studying Visual Communications at Design & Architecture Senior High
![]()
and Fine Arts at Florida International University,
![]()
she now pursues a ︎︎︎BFA in Graphic Design and an ︎︎︎MS in Management at the University of Florida.
![]()
She is employed as Senior Designer & Illustrator @ UF Lastinger Center for Learning
![]()
and freelancer. Previously, she worked @ UF Mint Design Studio![]()
, III Points Music Festival![]()
, and Miami-Dade County![]()
. In her free time, Marissa volunteers as Student Liaison for AIGA Gainesville![]()
and Social Media Contributor for AIGA Unidos![]()
. On account of her family’s guidance, Marissa believes education is a vital practice that fosters equity and human connection. Using the meaningful language of design and typography, she hopes to highlight social change, ensure barrier-free access to learning, and promote awareness of human realities.
︎︎︎Click here to view full CV
Services
Selected Clients
Achievements
Ligature 30 Best Junior Award
Feb 2021
Awarded for Ama la Vida Type Specimen at UF's Ligature 30 Symposium.
James J. Rizzi Scholarship
Dec 2020
Rewarded $1,000 for artistic and academic merit.
UF Dean's List
Fall 2018 – Fall 2020
Completed a minimum of 12 hours per term and achieved a grade point average of 3.50 or higher.
Young Designers Scholarship Fund
July 2016 – Aug 2016
Full merit scholarship to study for 3 weeks at the School of Visual Arts. Made possible by Rosa and Carlos de la Cruz and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation with support and grant management from The Miami Foundation.
Feb 2021
Awarded for Ama la Vida Type Specimen at UF's Ligature 30 Symposium.
James J. Rizzi Scholarship
Dec 2020
Rewarded $1,000 for artistic and academic merit.
UF Dean's List
Fall 2018 – Fall 2020
Completed a minimum of 12 hours per term and achieved a grade point average of 3.50 or higher.
Young Designers Scholarship Fund
July 2016 – Aug 2016
Full merit scholarship to study for 3 weeks at the School of Visual Arts. Made possible by Rosa and Carlos de la Cruz and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation with support and grant management from The Miami Foundation.
Featured
Times New Woman
Remote | 2021
Featured 36 Days of Type letter O and Mía Display poster for #8M.
Design by Women
Remote | 2021
Featured Mía Display typeface and poster design for International Women’s Day.
AIGA March Book Review
Gainesville, FL | 2021
AIGA March book review of Women in Graphic Design 1890–2012 by Gerda Breuer and Julia Meer.
Ligature 30
Gainesville, FL | 2021
Featured pieces Timeless like a Broken Watch, Mía Display, The Future is Minimalism, and Ama la Vida for UF's juried showcase in the Gary R. Libby Gallery.
Designing the Vote
Remote | 2020
Featured redesign of the "I Voted" sticker in order to address how the vote-by-mail system is vital to many marginalized individuals.
AIGA GNV Member Spotlight
Gainesville, FL | 2020
Featured article on AIGA GNV website regarding work as Student Liaison and involvement with AIGA Unidos.
Disability Liberation Art Gallery
Gainesville, FL | 2020
Featured pieces Conversations with Grandma, El Deseo, and Romualdo.
Femme Type Directory
Remote | 2020
Celebration of womxn type designers that are active in the type community.
Tea Literary & Arts Magazine
Gainesville, FL | 2020
Publication of Conversations with Grandma, Family Quilt, and Orfelina's Empanadas for volume 22.
Art Bash
Gainesville, FL | 2018, 2019
Exhibition of pieces 2 much 4 U, Family Quilt, sunday brunch, and Let’s Talk about Intimacy.
WARP Student Exhibition
Gainesville, FL | 2018
Showcase of sculpture titled Microcosmic Matter.
DASH Senior Showcase
Miami, FL | 2018
Exhibition of Sensorium where people played functional game.
Dashing Through New York
Miami, FL | 2017
Photo and video exhibition curated by Young Designers Consortium.
School of Visual Arts Exhibition
New York City, NY | 2016
Screening of The Simplicity of Time.
Remote | 2021
Featured 36 Days of Type letter O and Mía Display poster for #8M.
Design by Women
Remote | 2021
Featured Mía Display typeface and poster design for International Women’s Day.
AIGA March Book Review
Gainesville, FL | 2021
AIGA March book review of Women in Graphic Design 1890–2012 by Gerda Breuer and Julia Meer.
Ligature 30
Gainesville, FL | 2021
Featured pieces Timeless like a Broken Watch, Mía Display, The Future is Minimalism, and Ama la Vida for UF's juried showcase in the Gary R. Libby Gallery.
Designing the Vote
Remote | 2020
Featured redesign of the "I Voted" sticker in order to address how the vote-by-mail system is vital to many marginalized individuals.
AIGA GNV Member Spotlight
Gainesville, FL | 2020
Featured article on AIGA GNV website regarding work as Student Liaison and involvement with AIGA Unidos.
Disability Liberation Art Gallery
Gainesville, FL | 2020
Featured pieces Conversations with Grandma, El Deseo, and Romualdo.
Femme Type Directory
Remote | 2020
Celebration of womxn type designers that are active in the type community.
Tea Literary & Arts Magazine
Gainesville, FL | 2020
Publication of Conversations with Grandma, Family Quilt, and Orfelina's Empanadas for volume 22.
Art Bash
Gainesville, FL | 2018, 2019
Exhibition of pieces 2 much 4 U, Family Quilt, sunday brunch, and Let’s Talk about Intimacy.
WARP Student Exhibition
Gainesville, FL | 2018
Showcase of sculpture titled Microcosmic Matter.
DASH Senior Showcase
Miami, FL | 2018
Exhibition of Sensorium where people played functional game.
Dashing Through New York
Miami, FL | 2017
Photo and video exhibition curated by Young Designers Consortium.
School of Visual Arts Exhibition
New York City, NY | 2016
Screening of The Simplicity of Time.