Catalina Vásquez Salazar

Art director and senior brand designer working across illustration, motion and visual storytelling, most recently in fintech and emerging technology.

Based in
Colombia · GMT−5
Email
katavasquez1@gmail.com
Profile
LinkedIn
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Experience

  1. Aug 2025–2026
    ReserveSenior Brand Designer

    Contributed illustration, animation and launch assets for CMC20 and AI-sector DTFs, and to the Reserve.org redesign. Worked with design, marketing, product and strategy teams; took part in research pods, user interviews and market research.

  2. Feb–Aug 2025
    Confusion CapitalCreative Consultant

    Led art direction, illustration and motion for Monetarium 2025 in Washington, D.C. Connected the city’s institutional architecture with symbols of exchange and modular finance across the event identity, print and motion.

  3. Mar 2023–Mar 2025
    UGLYCASHBrand Illustrator & Animator

    Part of the design team that built UGLYCASH’s brand. Designed the original Uglyman character and its initial visual concept and personality; created illustration, animation and assets for marketing, social and campaign launches.

  4. Mar 2021–Mar 2023
    ReserveIllustrator & Community Lead, Latin America

    Illustration, regional brand communication and Instagram content and community initiatives. Grew the account from 9K to 70K+ followers; created 150+ illustrations and brand assets, the homepage illustrations and merchandise for Devcon Bogotá 2022.

  5. 2021–now
    DomestikaCourse Instructor

    A best-selling course on frame-by-frame animation, with more than 11,000 students.

  6. Freelance
    Snap Inc.Animator and Illustrator

    Mass Snaps, filters and stickers for national holidays across Latin America, with creative direction on the Mexico and Central America edition.

  7. 2014–now
    Kathiuska StudioVisual Artist and Art Director

    Designs and produces apparel and printed editions, and directs the campaigns, shoots, styling and casting that launch them.

Recognition

Education

  • 2026Master’s studies, Latin American Cultural StudiesPontificia Universidad Javeriana · thesis with honorable mention
  • 2014BA, Audiovisual and Multimedia CommunicationUniversidad de Antioquia
  • 2014Diploma in Journalism and Historical MemoryUniversidad de Antioquia
  • 2014Diploma in Audiovisual DramaturgyUniversidad de Antioquia

Filmography

  • 2020NieblaExecutive producer and producerDirected by Leonardo Romero Zarza. The film won the Poulain de Bronze, Fantasia 2022.
  • 2018CárcelScript and directionWorld premiere, DOK Leipzig international competition; Best Animated Short, Popayán.
  • 2014IslasScript and directionShort Film Corner, Cannes, 2015.
  • 2010Reciclando recuerdosScript and directionBest Documentary Video, New Creators, FICCI 2011.

Illustrated books

  • 2020A Estória do Sol e do RinoceronteText by Ondjaki · Alfaguara, Portugal
  • 2017Las aventuras de UlisesColombia’s Ministry of Culture
  • 2018México cuentaTragaluz Editores
  • 2015Manual para cazar una ideaWith José Andrés Gómez · Tragaluz Editores

Certifications

Residencies

  • 2018Graphic novel residency, Maison des AuteursAngoulême, France · granted by Colombia’s Ministry of Culture
  • 2016Animation Production LabBridging The Gap, Valencia, Spain
  • 2014Filming in Colombia with Abbas KiarostamiProimágenes Colombia

Conceptual skills

Art direction, concept development, visual storytelling, brand and visual systems, campaign strategy, research and user interviews, creative direction of shoots.

Craft skills

Illustration, character design, frame-by-frame animation, cut-out animation, motion design, storyboarding, editorial layout, merch and print production.

Languages

Spanish, native English, professional proficiency

Design and motion

Figma, Framer, Claude Design, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Premiere Pro, Procreate.

AI tools

AI literacy, Prompt engineering, Claude/Claude Code, ChatGPT/Codex, Midjourney, RunwayML, Google AI Studio.