About

I’m a digital entertainment design engineer. I started in 3D and illustration, and today I design digital experiences built around people.

I have professional experience in visual design, 3D modeling and digital communication. I’m driven by empathy and research: understanding what people struggle with and turning it into clear, intuitive interfaces.

My path ↓Download résumé Let’s talk

Portrait of Daniel Maya on a blue background — Daniel

Daniel with his dog Layla, a husky — Layla

About me

Spanish: nativeEnglish: fluentFrench: basic

Hi, I’m Daniel. I design for the future and for life.

I’m a design engineer from Medellín, Colombia. I’m passionate about art, video games, animals, music (especially alternative rock and instrumental music), animation, the internet, books and film.

I love animals, and my dog Layla, the one on the right in the photo. I enjoy being out in nature and birdwatching; seeing Layla run free in the countryside fills me with joy and calm.

Medellín, ColombiaDesign EngineerMy dog’s name is LaylaBirdwatcher

My story

From the web as a playground to product design

The web
A playground full of possibilities
As a kid I used the family computer more than the TV (dutifully sticking to my allowed hours). I loved virtual worlds like Club Penguin and saw the web as a playground full of possibilities.
Video games
The spark of a calling
Video games have been with me my whole life: first Super Mario Galaxy on the Wii, then Skyrim on the Xbox 360. That interest in virtual experiences led me to study Digital Entertainment Design Engineering at UPB in 2021.
Art
From poster paint to oils
At 7 I started painting with poster paint on canvas in a recreational class at EAFIT. My favorite subject was animals, inspired by the wildlife photography books in the classroom. Over the years I moved on to acrylics and then to oils.
Music and books
Guitar, sagas and soundtracks
I play guitar and compose as a hobby. I mostly read fiction: my favorite saga is A Song of Ice and Fire and my favorite book, The Brothers Karamazov. My love of instrumental music comes from The Lord of the Rings soundtrack.

Why UX/UI

“Leave it better than you found it.”

The philosophy our mothers taught us

My interest in UX/UI grows out of my experiences, my interests and the people around me. I want to contribute to a sustainable future, where technology works for people and not at their expense: the future we imagined as kids, where technology evolved to take care of nature.

Right now

What’s keeping me company these days

On repeat

Bailando triste

Nicolás y Los Fumadores

Como pez en el hielo

0:004:26

Currently reading

Don Quijote de la Mancha

Miguel de Cervantes · Penguin Clásicos

Part one30%

Interests

Video games
Oil painting
Guitar
Songwriting
Alternative rock
Gym
Instrumental music
Animation
Reading
Film
Birdwatching
Nature
Animals

Favorite game

Elden Ring

FromSoftware · 2022

Action RPGOpen world

Movie of the moment

Marty Supreme

Josh Safdie · A24 · 2025

DramaSports

Favorite series

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Bones · 2009–2010 · 64 episodes

AnimeFantasy

My path

From 3D worlds to interfaces

Education

2021 – 2025

B.Eng. in Digital Entertainment Design Engineering

Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana · Graduated February 2025

Eight semesters that bring together engineering, design and art. I learned to conceive and produce video games, interactive experiences and animated pieces: 3D modeling and animation, storytelling, programming and game mechanics design, in projects with multidisciplinary teams. That’s where my foundations in visual design, 3D and user-centered experiences come from.

Universidad Pontificia BolivarianaEducation · B.Eng. in Digital Entertainment Design Engineering

2026 – 2027

Master’s in User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) Design

Universidad Europea de Madrid · In progress, until October 2027

A 60-ECTS online master’s focused on digital products: user research, concept development, interface design, prototyping, design systems and growth design. It ends with an internship and a final project with a real client and brief.

Universidad Europea de MadridMaster’s · User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) Design

Design and 3D experience

2018 – 2026

3D modeler and animator

La Mar Media Lab · Jul 2024 — Jul 2026

3D design for “Bubbles & Friends,” a U.S. children’s animated series, and similar productions.

Communication design

Microempresas de Colombia · 2021 — 2023

Graphic design, video editing, 2D animation and illustration for the brand’s social media.

Freelance designer

Independent · 2018 — present

Design commissions for clients such as Fogafín and Microempresas de Colombia, plus 3D and 2D art in digital and traditional media.

Logos of La Mar Media Lab, Microempresas de Colombia, Benteveo and Daniel Maya — Where I’ve workedLa Mar Media Lab · Microempresas de Colombia · Benteveo (artist) · Daniel Maya (designer)

Today: UX/UI and design engineering

Present

Design Engineer focused on UX/UI

Medellín, Colombia

I bring my visual and 3D experience to product design: I research, design and prototype interfaces, and take them closer to code. My case studies show that process, from idea to prototype.

See case studies →

Daniel Maya · UX/UI designMy designer brand: a d and an m shaped like a musical note

Certifications

Courses that round out my education

Professional certificate · 8 courses

Google UX Design

Google · Coursera · October 2026

Eight hands-on courses developed by Google that walk through the design process from start to finish: empathizing with users, defining their problems, ideating solutions, creating wireframes and prototypes, and testing designs to get feedback.

Foundations of UX
Empathize, define and ideate
Wireframes and low fidelity
Research and testing
High fidelity in Figma
Dynamic web interfaces
UX for social good
AI-powered job search

Verify certificate ↗ID VLZZTS6N0TEE

Shall we work together?

Write to me and let’s talk about your project or your team.

juan.maya402@gmail.com · +57 305 233 7134

Let’s talk Download résumé