Meet Ana Despres | Creative Director at Ytech

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ana Despres and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ana, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
My career started as a graphic designer, and I’ve been one for more than 15 years. I worked on branding, visual identities, and all kinds of graphic systems. But after a while, when you do the same type of work for many years, you start to notice repetition. You feel you’re bringing the same solutions to different projects, that creatively you’re not adding anything new, and that your role might even feel a bit obsolete—especially in a moment where AI is taking such a central place.

That said, my profession has given me an incredible amount of satisfaction. One of the most important ones was realizing that design could evolve into something broader. I started moving my work into other platforms and formats, transforming my discipline into a richer form of communication. That’s how I began collaborating on documentary productions, using them as a way to tell stories about architecture and interior design.

This shift has been a big challenge for me—from a more static, graphic form of communication to a role focused on art direction and creative direction, where brands are expressed in a much more complete way, through many layers and languages, not just visuals.

That’s when I realized that giving up doesn’t always mean stopping. Sometimes it’s just a shift. A change in direction. There are so many paths you can take within your profession, your career, or even a hobby…as long as it’s something you truly enjoy and something where you still feel the desire to give more of yourself.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Alongside my professional work, one of the things I’m most excited and proud of is a side project I’ve been developing called AIRES. It’s a brand created for coffee lovers, focused on thoughtfully designed ceramic products that are meant to both work beautifully and live beautifully in your space.

Our first product, which I designed and produced together with my colleague Sarah, is a ceramic French press. From the very beginning, this project has been entirely in-house. From the stoneware design and material testing to the logo, brand identity, and packaging. We approached it with the same level of care and intention we bring to our professional projects, but with the freedom and passion that comes from building something of our own.

AIRES was born from our shared love for coffee and from a desire to offer something meaningful, especially to a market like Miami. We wanted to create a product that feels aesthetic in the kitchen, tactile and warm, but also truly functional—something people enjoy using every day, not just looking at.

Professionally, getting to where I am today hasn’t been linear or easy. It’s been a process of constant learning, adapting, and expanding the skill set beyond traditional design. What I want people to know about my work (and my brand) is that it’s driven by curiosity, intention, and a genuine love for creating things that connect design, function, and storytelling.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I split my time between Buenos Aires, New York, and Miami, so my favorite places are always connected to design, coffee, one of my other passions, and interior spaces.

In Buenos Aires, I love vintage furniture, and “Un Lugar Asi” is a true gem. They restore vintage and mid-century pieces with incredible care and taste. I’d also take them to “Korto Café” in Devoto (a neighborhood in Buenos Aires, a beautiful coffee spot where I designed the brand identity; special food, great coffee, and a very thoughtful atmosphere.

In New York, I’d stop by “Shop Quarters”, a place that perfectly blends interior design, curated objects, and a great drink. It’s deeply connected to my work and my love for storytelling through space.

And in Miami, I’d recommend Sana Studio: architecturally calming, beautifully designed, and home to one of the best facial treatments I’ve experienced in the city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would definitely dedicate my shoutout to my mentor, Sarah Garrido, a Marketing and Public Relations professional, brand strategist, and a true master of communication. Her clarity, generosity, and way of thinking have shaped how I approach storytelling and branding, and she has been a constant source of guidance and trust throughout my journey.

I’d also like to recognize my coworker Gia Zapattini, one of the most talented architects in Miami. Working alongside her has been incredibly inspiring—her rigor, sensitivity, and commitment to design excellence raise the bar every day and push me to be better in my own work.

Website: https://anadespres.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anidespres/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anadespres/

Other: https://www.instagram.com/drinkaires/
https://www.drinkaires.com/

Image Credits
Ana Despres Design
Aires Curated Goods
Ytech
Spring and Thompson
Loba Studio