Today we’d like to introduce you to Indira Prieto.
Hi Indira, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My story has been a long, colorful, and very personal journey. I’m an immigrant from Cuba, and I moved to Miami about 15 years ago. Starting over in a new country shaped so much of who I am, not only as a person, but as a creative. Miami became home, and my Latin heritage, the energy of the city, and my own experience of building a life from scratch have all deeply influenced my work.
I started my career working as a designer and art director for companies like Sandals, Chewy, and Coursera, where I had the chance to work across campaigns, brand moments, digital design, illustration, and creative direction. Those years taught me how to think strategically, collaborate with teams, and create work that feels both visually strong and meaningful.
Over time, I felt more and more pulled toward illustration, lettering, and building my own creative voice. For the last year and a half, I’ve been a full-time independent freelance illustrator and designer, which has been one of the biggest leaps of my life. It has been challenging, but also incredibly rewarding.
Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to work with clients like Nike, and now my artwork is currently being sold through retailers like Michaels and Walmart. Seeing my art out in the world in that way has been such a full-circle moment. I feel like everything I’ve lived, from immigrating to Miami to working in-house and now building my own creative business, has led me here. My work today is rooted in culture, joy, color, and storytelling, and I’m excited to keep growing from here.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it definitely has not been a completely smooth road. There have been many beautiful moments, but also a lot of uncertainty, fear, and moments where I had to start over or figure things out as I went.
One of the biggest turning points in my career happened when I was laid off from Coursera. At the time, I was also becoming a new mother, so that season came with a lot of uncertainty on both a personal and professional level. It forced me into a step I may not have taken on my own so quickly: becoming a full-time independent freelance illustrator and designer. It was not part of the perfect plan, but looking back, it has been one of the most beautiful blessings in my life.
That transition came with a lot of challenges. I had to learn how to run my own creative business, find clients, pitch myself, manage my time, handle the uncertainty of freelance work, and believe in my own voice in a much deeper way, all while navigating the newness, beauty, and responsibility of motherhood.
So while the road has not been easy, every struggle has shaped me. Being an immigrant, rebuilding my life in Miami, navigating the corporate creative world, becoming a mother, and then being pushed into independence have all taught me resilience. What started as a forced career move has become a path that feels incredibly meaningful, and I’m grateful for where it has led me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an illustrator, lettering artist, and designer known for creating bold, colorful, joyful work rooted in culture, storytelling, and emotion. My work often combines vibrant illustration, expressive typography, and a strong sense of personality. I love creating pieces that feel warm, human, and full of life, whether they are for brand campaigns, merchandise, packaging, editorial projects, licensing collections, or large-scale visual moments.
I specialize in illustration and lettering for brands, campaigns, products, and cultural storytelling. A big part of my work is inspired by my Latin heritage, Miami, motherhood, nature, and the everyday beauty of being a woman building a creative life. I’m drawn to color, movement, hand-drawn details, and messages that make people feel seen, inspired, or connected.
Some of the work I’m most proud of includes creating official merchandise artwork for the Nike Miami Marathon, working on major brand and campaign projects for companies like Erin Condren, Univision, and SHEIN, and now seeing my artwork sold through retailers like Michaels and Walmart. Those moments have been really special because they represent different chapters of my career, from corporate creative work to building my own independent art business.
What sets me apart is that my work is not just decorative. It carries a story. It comes from my experience as an immigrant, a Latina, a mother, and a creative who has had to rebuild, adapt, and keep going. I bring both the strategic experience of a designer and art director, and the heart of an illustrator who wants the work to feel meaningful. My goal is always to create art that feels joyful, culturally rich, and commercially strong, but still deeply personal.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I’ve been very lucky to find wonderful mentors through work, but most of those relationships happened organically. They were not always formal “will you be my mentor?” situations. They came from working with people I admired, asking questions, being open to feedback, and paying attention to how people with more experience handled the work, the process, and the challenges.
My biggest advice, especially for young designers, is to stay humble. Don’t be an asshole. Talent matters, but attitude matters just as much. Be kind, listen, be open to feedback, and understand that critique is not personal. It is part of growing. Some of the best lessons I’ve learned came from people who challenged my work or pushed me to see something differently.
I also think it’s important to learn from everyone around you. Of course, you can learn so much from people with more experience, but you can also learn from someone more junior than you. Everyone brings a different perspective, and staying open to that makes you better.
For networking, what has worked best for me is being genuine. Build real relationships, support other creatives, stay curious, and don’t approach every interaction like a transaction. The best connections usually come from being yourself, doing good work, being generous when you can, and treating people well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.indysigncreative.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theindysign/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/indirap/
- Other: https://dribbble.com/indysign
