Hello! My name is Gabriela Maria Penafiel, and I am a graphic designer and digital artist. I grew up in Crofton, a small town located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. I have always been drawn to art, but it was not until seventh grade when a new art teacher deepened my interest in it. However, I did not take art classes in high school after making the decision to take orchestra due to scheduling conflicts. Other than my interest in art, I  was extremely active in swimming, both my club and school team, taekwondo, and serving her community through her parish, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton through the music and peer ministry. Before graduating high school, I was unsure of what my major should be. During my first semester at the University of Maryland, College Park in 2018, she considered going into engineering, medicine, and government. At first, I decided to pursue medicine and become a pediatrician, until she found interest in becoming an art major instead. By the end of her third semester, she decided to pursue a career in art, specifically graphic design.

I did not go into graphic design right away, since it would take a year to apply for the graphic design concentration. While preparing my portfolio, I began exploring 2D art and drawing. The biggest challenge for me at the time was learning art through Zoom calls when the COVID pandemic hit in 2020. During this time, I created pieces though 2D/3D art, painting, drawing, and digital art using p5.js. After being accepted into the graphic design concentration, I worked with graphic design and outside the concentration, I learned how to use 3D printers in making models on Fusion 360 and Meshmaker. I made use of my graphic design skills in entering my designs in contents and creating designs for the university's Senior Council, UMD Swim Club, Maryland Institute of Public Health, Maryland Hillel, and much more. Currently, I am starting a new chapter in my life as I prepare for the Business of Art and Design Masters Program at the Maryland Institute of College of Art (MICA).