HEY THERE ☻ I'M DUSTIN MATTAIO MARA ⛟ A TYPE AND VISUAL DESIGNER ♛
HÅfa adai + Salut
I'm Dustin Mattaio Mara — a type and visual designer whose passions and work explore the intersection between language, culture, and typography.
I received a Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication Design (cum laude, with excellence) and Bachelor of Arts in International Studies (cum laude) from the University of Washington.
After graduation, I moved to New York to work as a product designer at Lippincott. Following that stint, I returned to Seattle and was a designer at Studio Matthews. I also coached youth rowing on the side.
In an effort to shift my career closer to my passions, I moved to Paris and continued my education. I attended the TypeParis program, learning the nuance of type design. I left Paris with a type diploma (with distinction) and a new international outlook on design.
Since then I've been working on setting up my own practice, TAIO TYPE. Our mission is to break away from the type industry's exclusive domain. By focusing our collaborations with queer-identifying, people of color, and women we are committed to designing solutions that resonate with individuals who, like us, pursue excellence and embrace diversity.
Beyond this I'm spending my free time learning languages. It's my goal to become proficient in Arabic and Hangul type design. As well as research and revive the ancient Filipino script, Baybayin.
Interested in collaborating or want to employ me? Reach out!
Accolades + FEATURES
2× Award of Excellence, Communication Arts Typography
Silver Cube, Typography via Typeface / Font Systems, Art Directors Club
Bronze Cube, Typography via Typeface / Font Systems, Art Directors Club
6× Certificate of Typographic Excellence, Type Directors Club
2× Merit Award, Art Directors Club
Shortlist, Young Ones Portfolio
Shortlist, Type Directors Club
2× Shortlist, Communication Arts Typography
Ranked #1 Designer, Young Ones Awards
Ranked #11 Overall Creative, Young Ones Awards
Dean’s Medal Nominee, UW College of the Arts
Husky 100 Nominee + Selectee
Natalie Malone Graduating with Excellence Award
Kenneth L. Striker Design Award
Oarsman of the Year, Everett Rowing Association
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Mastering Type, Typostammtisch Berlin
4× Feature, The World’s Best Typography
3× Type Directors Club Global Exhibitions
Interview, Global Visionaries
Best of Cargo, Cargo.Site
Studio Feature, Designer Daily
Commencement Speaker, UW SOAAHD
Interview, Steady State Network
cHEERS