Manjary Levins
Q What do you do?
“I’m a graphic designer and an artist. I balance between expressive and functional. I aim to create work that leans into playfulness and doesn’t take itself too seriously. I enjoy bringing concepts to life and giving it my full creative spin.”
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
I have a background in traditional art. That’s what I originally wanted to go to school for. Instead I taught myself Photoshop and Illustrator. I completed the Communication Design Certification Program from UCSD Extentions shortly after. While in my program I started working full time with Plant Power and freelancing on the side.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I stand out by being intentional and open minded with my creative process. By exploring and pushing my ideas to their full capacity I end up with creatively fulfilling work for both the client and myself. Being open to change and redirection keeps my designs and ideas fresh and constantly evolving.
Q What are you working on right now?
Right now, I am working on expanding my portfolio. I’m working on a tour poster for a Brooklyn-based singer and illustrating a small collection of poems for a fellow creative friend. I appreciate working with other creatives and getting to try out new design styles in the process.
Q What’s your style?
I combine editorial makeup and photography with graphic elements to create self portrait collages. These represent my style most as all creative direction is my own. It’s a form of self expression and a way for me to explore and evolve my personal taste.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I’d love to learn more about photography. I like using photos I take myself in my projects and want to build my own photo bank to pull from.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
There’s never enough coffee.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
I’d love to have a personal therapist, and at the rate they go for 20 an hr sounds like a steal.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
I would tell myself to have more trust. I felt so much pressure to figure out my life plan when I just needed to be more confident in the choices I made. In the end everything came together better than I would’ve thought, so trust the process!
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
I’d love to learn more about website design and have a private masterclass just for me. That’d be a dream.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I’m looking to work on more expressive projects that allow me to push the aesthetic norm and try something new. I’d love to work with other creatives and try out different design fields like beauty, music, or fashion.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
I’ve always loved techno music and would love to collaborate with an artist in that scene. Anywhere from event posters to album covers – that would be really fun!
Q: What is your rate?
I create custom packages based on scope, timelines, budget and so on. Reaching out would be best, this way we can discuss what is needed and go from there.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Shoot me a friendly email, and we can get to work. Manjarylevinsinfo@gmail.com
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Margie Rischiotto, she's a great creative that pushes boundaries and isn't afraid to get weird with her designs.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
I stay creative by trying new things and getting out of my comfort zone.
This member profile was originally published in August 2024.