Meet Anna-Maria Vassilevska | Freelance graphic designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anna-Maria Vassilevska and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anna-Maria, what matters most to you?
Sustainability! Now, before you roll your eyes and move on because you’ve heard this word a million times, hear me out. I’m talking about it in a much broader sense, beyond the typical political speeches and environmental discussions. I mean sustainability as a mindset and a guiding principle to everything we do in life. Sustainability for me is making choices that last. It’s about thinking long-term rather than going for quick fixes. Instead of reaching for a painkiller right away, try to figure out what’s causing the pain. And instead of jumping into extreme diets, focus on regular exercise and healthy eating habits. Dig deep, examine, put in the work, endure, and stay committed for the long haul. Slow and steady wins the race!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Since childhood, I’ve been fascinated by brands: their packaging, billboards, and ads. I always wondered: who came up with the idea, how it was filmed, and what the creative process behind it was.My family saw it more as a whim and my sisters teased me with the nickname ‘brand aficionado.’ I’m not sure if it’s because of my introverted nature, but I just loved observing and developed a keen eye for aesthetics. In primary school, I took charge of poster presentations, meticulously handwriting the text and arranging layouts with pictures. By high school, the rise of social media turned me into the go-to photographer for my friends’ profile pictures. I styled them, chose locations, snapped the shots, and edited them in Picasa (that felt nostalgic). Despite no one in my family pursuing a creative career and opting for a very math-focused education for me, my parents still encouraged my creative interests by sending me to summer schools abroad.
After high school, when I finally had the opportunity to pursue my passions, I enrolled in a Foundation program where I could try various disciplines across art and design. It was there that I discovered graphic design—a perfect blend of what I loved: photography, typography, and visual storytelling.
Further pursuing my BA in Graphic Design in Milan felt like fate, piecing everything together. I was in the right place at the right time. It was a moment of completion when I landed my first job in a creative agency there, finally answering all the questions posed by my seven-year-old self.
By all that being said, I would say my art is translating ideas into brands and stories into visuals. I’m happy that I followed my interests, explored different paths, and was brave enough to delve deeper into what truly fulfils me. It’s been an intuitive journey, and the best part of it is that it’s a never-ending one.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Currently, I’m living in my hometown Sofia, and when I have international friends visiting, that’s where I usually take them. We would start from Ploshtad Orlov Most, then head to Oborishte, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard, and end up at Ekzarh Yosif Street for breakfast. The whole area is filled with cool hipster food and coffee places such as “Sabale” for breakfast/brunch, “Obred” for bagels, “&bread” for bakery products, and “Sezon” for fresh fruits and veggies from local farms. Afterwards, we would visit the National Palace of Culture and the National Theater “Ivan Vazov” by passing through Angel Kunchev Street and Rakovska Street. For lunch, I would book a table at “Raketa Rakia Bar,” a restaurant with great Bulgarian food and retro communist interior. Usually, we would end the day at “Sense Rooftop” for drinks and a beautiful view of the city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As cliché as it may sound, my family and close friends have been my unwavering support system through thick and thin, and I can’t thank them enough. But if I had to shout out one person outside of my family circle who’s made a huge difference, it’s gotta be Charles—my mentor in the past 4 years. I met him after I graduated university in Milan, just as I was diving into adulthood, self-sufficiency, and all that good stuff. This period coincided with the beginning of the pandemic, so it was a wild ride. Besides involving me in his exciting creative world, working with Charlie has greatly contributed to my personal growth. He played a pivotal role by believing in me and mentoring me through challenges. I’m immensely grateful for everything he’s done. Thank you, Charlie!

Website: www.annamariavassilevska.com

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

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