Maria Kostourkova
Graphic Designer and former Pro Athlete
Design that's
built to perform.
Branding / Graphic Design / Social Media Content Creation
mariakostdesigns@gmail.com Sofia, Bulgaria
About me
I'm Maria — a graphic designer specialising in branding, visual identity, and social media. I help brands show up with clarity, consistency, and intention.
Available for freelance projects and full-time opportunities.
I didn't start at a desk. I started on a court. For years, I competed as a professional basketball player across Europe — learning what it means to perform under pressure, read a room instantly, and show up consistently when it counts. That discipline didn't leave when I stepped off the court. It just found a new form.
Today I work as a graphic designer specialising in branding and visual identity. I bring the same focus and standards I built as an athlete into every project — attention to detail, clear thinking, and work that actually holds up.
I believe good design isn't decoration. It's communication. And I'm here to make yours count.
Skills
Technical Skills
Branding and Visual Identity, Editorial Design, Social Media Content Creation, Short-Form Video, Website Design, AI-Generated Visuals and Creative Direction
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Digital Technology and Culture
Washington State University
Minor in Spanish and Global Studies
Languages
English, Portuguese, Bulgarian, Spanish
Services
Branding & Identity - Full brand systems built for consistency and longevity — strategy, visual language, and the details that make a brand instantly recognizable.
Logo Design - Marks that mean something. Clean, versatile, and built to last across every platform and format.
Social Media Design - Visual content that stops the scroll and stays on brand — templates, campaigns, and content systems designed for real-world use.
Print & Editorial - From pitch decks to printed materials — layouts that are as functional as they are polished.
Logo Design
& Branding
A strong brand is more than a logo — it's the first impression that shapes how the world sees you. I work with businesses to craft visual identities that are intentional, memorable, and built to last. From concept to final deliverable, every design decision is rooted in strategy, ensuring that the end result not only looks exceptional but drives real recognition and connection with the right audience. The brands I've built have helped clients stand out in competitive markets, communicate their value instantly, and show up with confidence across every touchpoint.
Restaurant Soleira
Performance Wear Apex
Fashion Store Veloura Bloom
Zsofi Simon: Physical Training, Medical and Sports Rehab
Social Media
Content Creation
Great social media isn't just about posting consistently — it's about creating content that stops the scroll, builds a community, and makes people come back. I design and develop social media content that is visually sharp, platform-native, and rooted in a clear brand strategy. From campaign graphics and Reels covers to story templates and launch assets, every piece is crafted with both aesthetics and performance in mind. I understand what works on each platform — and more importantly, why it works — so the content I create doesn't just look good, it drives real engagement and growth.
Planeta Basket Store
This specialised basketball store has a huge variety of brands and styles, therefore their social media is also very diverse and colourful. Each brand or model has a specific style that is maintained throughout their page, and many campaigns have been created for specific premium models or events.
Veloura Bloom
Fashion Industry is a very broad area in which each brand has their own style and vision. For Veloura Bloom elegance and feminine energy are fundamental, and this is reflected in the design of every post and element of their social media.
Soleira Restaurant
As a premium Portuguese restaurant it's very important to show an elevated look, but still maintain a family and traditional style to bring this feeling that only a home cooked meal can give.
Get Better Evolve
This organisation targets players, parents and coaches, so it's fundamental to keep a very friendly and relatable tone to attract the right audience. In addition to these posts, reels and videos are extremely important to convey the message of the brand.
Print & Editorial
Some of the most important design happens offline. Print demands a different kind of precision - no shortcuts, no quick fixes, no second chances once it goes to press. I design print and editorial materials that are as intentional as they are polished, from pitch decks and presentation layouts to brochures, posters, and branded collateral.
Every layout is built with hierarchy, readability, and purpose in mind. Whether it's a single-page flyer or a multi-page document, the goal is always the same - design that communicates clearly, looks exceptional in print, and represents your brand at its best.
Solstice Magazine
A travel magazine dedicated to discovering and sharing the best destinations, with tips on what to do, where to stay, and all necessary information for a great vacation.
Sports Flyers and Brochures
Both Get Better Evolve and Planeta Basket Store are Sport related businesses. It's fundamental to share and show their services in public events and tournaments - that's where Flyers and similar materials are a great tool.
AI Image Generation
AI is only as good as the person directing it. I use AI image generation as a creative tool - combining precise prompting, art direction, and design thinking to produce visuals that are intentional, original, and ready to use. From campaign imagery to concept visuals, every image starts with a clear creative brief and ends with something that actually serves the brand.
The work in practice.
These aren't concepts — they're deliverables.
Every image here was created for active social media campaigns across Planeta Basket Store and Planeta Futsal, two of Portugal's leading sports retail brands. The brief was clear: visuals that stop the scroll, match the brand, and work natively on the feed.From sneaker launches to product spotlights, each image was built through precise creative direction — prompt engineering, style iteration, and post-production refinement — to meet the same standard as a full studio shoot, at a fraction of the time and cost.
This is what AI image generation looks like when it's used as a professional tool, not a shortcut.
