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I think one of the strangest parts of doing your own thing is realizing how much of the work happens in your head.
The planning.
The second-guessing.
The “maybe I should try this instead.”
The random idea that shows up when you’re supposed to be doing something completely different.
Sometimes the actual work is the easy part.
Anyway, I’m figuring things out, trying new spaces, meeting new people, and seeing where things go.
Hello, Contra 👋
The network for creativity
Join 1.25M professional creatives like you
Connect with clients, get discovered, and run your business 100% commission-free
Creatives on Contra have earned over $150M and we are just getting started
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Engaging website for a New York–based architecture and construction studio, balancing bold typography, immersive imagery and a minimal editorial layout.
I just joined Contra and I’m still figuring out how things work around here, so I thought I’d introduce myself instead of quietly lurking.
I’m Mariya, founder, strategist and lead designer behind Mariya Design. I’ve worked internationally since 2015, and today I run a boutique branding studio focused on brand identity systems for premium and luxury-led brands.
Most of my work sits somewhere between identity, packaging and the wider system around them. I’m particularly interested in what happens after the logo: how typography, color, packaging, digital applications and brand rules actually hold together as the business grows.
One project I’ve been revisiting recently is SAE-REN, a premium beauty and wellness identity system. I’m currently rebuilding some of my case-study presentation system, so it felt like a good one to share here first.
And since I’m genuinely new to Contra, I’d love to hear from people who have been active here for a while:
What actually helped you become part of the community here?
Was it sharing work regularly, joining conversations, applying to opportunities, or something else entirely?
Any early mistakes worth avoiding are welcome too.
great designs..
Starting the week with 3 client calls in a row.
2 active Framer + brand projects
1 new product design lead
Later this week I’m catching up with a former client who went from Seed to enterprise in 3 years. Could turn into my biggest project so far ✌️
Going from Seed to enterprise in 3 years is a serious journey. What interests me is how much changes operationally as a business scales. More customers, more data, more moving parts, and suddenly visibility becomes just as important as growth itself. Excited to see what comes from that conversation! 🔥
