In the ever-evolving world of branding and design, Maria Burgelova stands out as a visionary leader. As the CEO and Creative Director of More By Us, she has helped businesses shape their identities with groundbreaking designs and visual storytelling techniques. Recently, Crowdcreate had the pleasure of interviewing Maria to gain insights into her journey, the industry’s latest trends, and what it takes to build a truly unforgettable brand.
From Factory Floors to Design Studios – Maria’s Creative Journey
Though she initially pursued marketing and management at her father’s encouragement, her creative passion never faded. Over 15 years ago, she made the bold decision to return to university and formally study design. This combination of business acumen and creative expertise turned out to be a game-changer. Today, as the founder of More By Us, Maria seamlessly blends her marketing expertise with her design sensibilities, bringing brands to life through innovative visual storytelling and impactful design.
“Now, I get to use that mix every day as a Creative Director. I also love sharing my knowledge with marketing experts and other founders through workshops focused on visual storytelling. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch them discover how a single image can tell an entire brand story.”
Her workshops focus on empowering businesses to embrace visual storytelling as a means to enhance brand perception, engagement, and authenticity. She firmly believes that a well-crafted visual identity can transcend language barriers and instantly communicate the essence of a brand.
Transforming Brands: Notable Projects & Success Stories
Maria and her team at More By Us work with businesses ranging from emerging startups to well-established companies, helping them craft strong, unique visual identities that resonate with audiences.
One standout project was their collaboration with Bits’n’Bites, a rapidly growing tech startup. The team handled branding, web design, mobile app design, and communication strategy, ensuring a cohesive and compelling brand experience across all touchpoints. The project’s success was highlighted when it won three A’Design Awards, earning international recognition with exhibitions in New York City and Italy.
“That experience felt like a fairytale—red carpets, awards, global recognition. It set the bar high for future projects, and we’re always up for the challenge.”
Maria and her team pride themselves on their ability to create innovative, award-winning brand experiences. Their approach is deeply rooted in understanding a brand’s core values, mission, and audience, ensuring that every visual element speaks directly to the target market.
The Secret Sauce: Tools, Strategies & Industry Trends
While Maria and her team utilize top industry-standard design tools like AI, Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and other design software, she believes that true creativity transcends software.
“The real magic is in the mindset. Flexibility, continuous learning, and raw creativity are what make a designer truly effective. The software is just a tool to bring that creativity to life.”
Go-To Strategies for Growth & Lead Generation
When it comes to growing More By Us, Maria swears by the power of word-of-mouth marketing.
“We’re lucky to have amazing clients who trust us and refer us. A strong reputation goes a long way in this industry.”
She also leverages content marketing, engaging storytelling, and strategic social media campaigns to attract new clients. The firm’s success in lead generation comes from the philosophy of providing value first—whether through insightful blog posts, detailed case studies, or impactful design showcases.
AI & The Future of Branding
AI has become a hot topic in the creative industry, but Maria sees it as an enhancement rather than a replacement for human ingenuity.
“Right now AI is like an overenthusiastic intern—it can generate ideas, but it lacks the strategic vision and emotional intelligence that true branding requires. Brands thrive on individuality, and no AI can replicate human creativity at that level.”
She believes that AI-powered tools can accelerate the creative process, automate repetitive tasks, and enhance efficiency. However, they cannot replace the intuition, storytelling ability, and emotional connection that human designers bring to branding.
Branding Wisdom: Actionable Advice for Businesses
For businesses looking to elevate their brand, Maria offers this golden advice:
“Be yourself. Talk like a human, not a corporate robot. Give people value, not just a sales pitch. And most importantly—be consistent.”
She warns against the common mistake of rebranding too often.
“I see so many brands constantly changing their identity out of boredom. But consistency is key. Sometimes, all you need is a small refresh rather than a complete overhaul.”
Maria emphasizes the importance of a strong brand narrative that remains authentic and cohesive over time. She encourages businesses to invest in thoughtful, strategic branding that aligns with their long-term vision rather than chasing short-term trends.
Rapid-Fire Insights from Maria Burgelova
- One tool you can’t live without? → TikTok – it’s an unexpected but incredible source of creative inspiration.
- Biggest myth in branding? → “You have to shout to stand out.” Nope! Sometimes, a whisper is more powerful.
- Best career advice you’ve received? → “Many grandmas, sick baby.” (A Bulgarian saying that means too many opinions can kill creativity—trust your gut.)
- A common industry mistake? → Brands rebranding too often instead of refining their identity.
- Go-to productivity hack? → Using Mac’s ‘Focus’ feature to block distractions and dive deep into creative work.
Final Thoughts
Maria Burgelova is redefining what it means to build a brand. Her journey from the factory floor to the global stage is proof that passion, creativity, and strategic storytelling can turn a brand into an unforgettable experience. As the world of branding continues to evolve, one thing remains certain—Maria and More By Us will be at the forefront of innovation.
