We recently connected with Maria Pimenova and have shared our conversation below.
Maria, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I found my purpose by reconnecting with something I had explored years ago—paper as an artistic medium. While my concentration is in graphic design, I started identifying as a paper artist about four years ago, after creating a “Self-Portrait” project entirely from paper.
Interestingly, my first experience with paper art was actually years ago, when I built a paper version of New York City’s landscape and some Chinese lanterns. At the time, it felt like a fun experiment, and I didn’t return to the medium for a long while.
But during a portfolio presentation in the first year of my master’s degree, I shared some of those early paper projects, and people were especially drawn to them. That positive feedback sparked the idea to revisit the medium more intentionally. Creating the Self-Portrait project reminded me how much I enjoy the tactile, meditative nature of working with paper—and that’s when something clicked. I realized paper could be more than just a material—it could be the language of my artistic voice.
Since then, I’ve been exploring paper art more deeply, and it’s helped me find a balance between design and personal expression, which now feels central to my purpose as a creative.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I hail from Moscow, Russia—a city rich in history and layered with artistic diversity. My journey began at Moscow State Pedagogical University, where I studied graphic design within a rigid academic system that offered little space for creative exploration. Yet, within those limitations, I developed a strong foundation in visual problem-solving and design fundamentals.
Fueled by curiosity and a desire to expand my creative boundaries, I moved to the United States to pursue my MFA at Florida Atlantic University. The contrast in educational models was profound—and liberating. I gained the freedom to select courses, shape my schedule, and, most importantly, discover my own voice as both an artist and an educator.
Today, I specialize in crafting sculptural 3D forms from flat sheets of paper, merging traditional design principles with modern technologies. I use Adobe Illustrator to plan intricate designs, and a laser cutter for precise cutting and engraving. Before I had access to this technology, every element was hand-cut—a process where even the smallest mistake could cost hours of work. The introduction of digital tools transformed my workflow, enabling greater experimentation and refinement.
The intersection of art, science, and design is where I’ve found my creative purpose. My work often fuses traditional craftsmanship with emerging technologies such as AI and laser cutting, resulting in layered, tactile pieces that challenge expectations of what paper can do.
Currently, I serve as an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at Northwest Missouri State University, where I bring this interdisciplinary approach into the classroom. For instance, in my 2D Design course, students conclude the semester by producing a fully designed accordion book—a physical portfolio of their progress that showcases their skills in layout, structure, and creative cohesion. This project reflects both design thinking and craftsmanship, encouraging students to connect concept with execution.
At the core of my teaching philosophy is the belief in combining the theoretical and innovative methodologies I’ve experienced in the U.S. with the practical, functional design approach rooted in my Russian background. This fusion offers students a holistic education—grounded in strong fundamentals while embracing modern tools and thinking. It not only prepares them for a competitive labor market but also encourages a deeper understanding of design as a meaningful, intentional practice.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, I’d say the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been:
1. Adaptability
Moving from one country to another, and transitioning between two very different educational systems, required me to stay open-minded and flexible. Whether it was learning new software, teaching in a second language, or adjusting to a new cultural context—being adaptable helped me grow faster than I expected.
Advice: Step outside your comfort zone. Take on challenges that scare you a little. The more you practice being uncomfortable, the more confident and capable you become.
2. Curiosity and Lifelong Learning
My curiosity pushed me to explore mediums beyond digital design, which is how I returned to paper art. It also led me to embrace tools like laser cutters and AI, rather than fear them.
Advice: Stay curious. Ask questions, explore new tools, and treat every project as a learning opportunity. The creative field evolves quickly—those who keep learning stay relevant.
3. Clear Communication
Whether it’s presenting your work, teaching students, or collaborating on a team, being able to clearly communicate your ideas and intentions is critical. Design is a visual language, but how you explain your thinking matters just as much.
Advice: Practice talking about your work. Write about it, present it, and get feedback. The ability to articulate your ideas makes you stand out—not just as a designer, but as a leader.
For anyone early in their journey: be bold, stay open, and never stop experimenting. The path isn’t linear—but every step adds to your story.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Absolutely—I’m always open to new collaboration opportunities and love connecting with creative minds from different fields. Whether you’re an artist, educator, designer, content creator or maybe a business owner, I’d be happy to explore how we can work together.
I’m especially interested in collaborations related to graphic design, education, and art, but I’m also a big fan of social media and open to creative content partnerships. If you have a topic, message, or concept you’d like to visualize, I can help bring it to life through graphics, videos, or reels. Whether it’s visualizing information, developing branded content, or even co-creating a discussion-based piece, I’d love to hear your ideas.
I’m open to both paid collaborations and barter-based partnerships, depending on the nature of the project.
If this sounds like something you’d like to explore, feel free to reach out:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/maria-pimenova-806219259
Looking forward to connecting!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mariapimenova.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-pimenova-806219259
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