Hi! I'm Paulo Mariano.
Senior Art Director and Creative Lead with more than 23 years of experience developing strategic and award-winning creative work for global brands.
My focus is on visual communication and storytelling — particularly in crafting integrated campaigns, activations, and product development that capture attention, deliver measurable outcomes, and present compelling brand narratives.
Over my career, I've developed work across Brazilian and European markets, with international recognition across advertising, design and effectiveness categories. In recent years, I have incorporated Generative AI (Midjourney, Sora, Gemini, Adobe Firefly) into my creative process to support the development of visual concepts, moodboards, and storyboards.
Alongside my professional practice, I also contribute to international jury panels and pre-selection committees, supporting the evaluation of creative work across diverse markets.
Outside advertising, I maintain a strong interest in music, literature, philosophy, running, scuba diving — and being a father.
If something looks interesting, I'm probably open to it — collaborations, jury panels, or just a good conversation. (EU/Remote).
︎︎︎ If you want to chat, reach me
+351 962 978 723
paulomariano23@gmail.com
︎ LinkedIn ︎ Behance ︎ Instagram ︎ Medium
"To know and work with Paulo has been a gift. A bright, cultured mind, structured upon a beautiful human being. Talent follows. His flawless technique, refined aesthetics and artistic eye. His drive to discover and innovate. His resilience and determination in face of adversity. His cleverness in ideating. All qualities that he uses to tackle small and complex projects with the same passion.
Though he is a brilliant art director, his passion for advertising took him to learn creative writing among many other things, in a continuous improvement process he designs for himself. Someone who is listened to and organized, he bears those qualities that make a great team mate and a leader.
In the end, the work speaks for itself. Go and check it out."
Pedro Pires
CEO/CCO _ Solid Dogma
December 19, 2023 - on Linkedin recommendations
Find the best questions, or at least ask better ones. Seek fresh ideas and work hard to make them happen. Inspire people and have fun.
:: International Jury Experience ::
2026
_ MAD STARS - Final Jury Member
(Busan International Advertising Festival)
_ New York Festivals Advertising Awards – Pre-Selection Jury
_ AdForum PHNX Awards - Jury Member
_ AIVA Communicator Awards - Jury Member
_ Lusófonos Creativity Awards – Jury Member | Design
2025
_ FIAP Awards - Jury Member
(Festival Iberoamericano de la Creatividad)
_ Portuguese Creative Club (CCP) - Pre-Selection Jury | Design
2024
_ Portuguese Creative Club (CCP) - Pre-Selection Jury | Craft Advertising
_ 25th Abril Advertising Award - Jury Member
(Brazil)
Particular interest in work where craft drives measurable effectiveness.
:: Awards ::
ADC Europe Awards
_ Gold | Design Packaging
_ Bronze | Design
EFFIE Awards Brasil
_ Bronze | Services | 2015 | "Compre do Pequeno Negócio" | Sebrae
CCP (Creative Club Portugal)
_ Multiple Gold, Silver and Bronze awards
across design and advertising categories
_ TOP 5 BEST Illustrator/Programmer 2024
CCSP (Creative Club Brazil)
_ Bronze | Direct Marketing
_ Bronze | Design
_ Work featured in CCSP 40th YEARBOOK
LUSÓFONOS CREATIVITY AWARDS
_ Gold | Media
_ Bronze | Media
_ Bronze | Outdoor
M&P DESIGN - Portugal
_ Recognitions in Illustration, Branding, Label and App Design
COLUNISTAS BRASIL/DESIGN
_ Gold | Integrated Campaign
_ Silver | Branding
:: Industry Recognition ::
Lürzer's Archive
_ Selected for 200 Best Digital Artists Worldwide (2024/25)_ Featured works (2015, 2018, 2023)
AdAge
_ Pick of the Day
Adweek
_ Featured Work
Best Ads on TV
_ Top 5 Campaign
PRESS
Hypebeast
_ Featured project (2015)
Markt & Kommunikation
_ Featured project (2015)
:: Experience ::
O Escritório / Portugal - Mar 2024 _ Currently
Solid Dogma / Portugal - Jun 2019 _ Mar 2024
Torke CC / Portugal - Apr 2018 _ Mar 2019
ComOn / Portugal - Feb 2018 _ Apr 2018
Lew'Lara/TBWA / Brazil - Sep 2009 _ Dec 2017
DM9 DDB / Brazil - May 2008 _ Aug 2009
SetteGraal / Brazil - Jun 2005 _ May 2008
:: Selected Clients ::
NETFLIX, Emirates, LIDL, Super Bock, SL Benfica, EDP, Sogrape, Gatorade, DELTA Cafés, Mimosa, Izidoro, Nacional, Vitalis, DHM Hotels, Ok! Teleseguros, Bank of Brazil, WOO, SONAE, O Globo Newspaper.
