Maria Barrios: Designing With Humanity at the Center

Maria Barrios
Architectural Designer, MG2, Seattle / Age: 32
Favorite Season: Fall

WHY MARIA?

Maria translates a human perspective into her retail designs, blending technical precision with a strong understanding of how people experience space. At MG2, she contributes to concept development, documentation and construction coordination, ensuring that brand stories translate appropriately to the built environment.

Her work spans projects for major brands including Nordstrom and Starbucks, as well as experiential environments such as Flight Club (shown) and the expansion of Salish Lodge & Spa. For the firm’s first Flight Club project, Maria helped develop custom assets that streamlined the design process for future locations. Across projects, she focuses on the intersection of storytelling, merchandising and customer flow, ensuring spaces are both emotionally engaging and operationally effective.

Maria was instrumental in designing custom assets that would streamline the design for future Flight Club locations. PHOTO: ROSS VAN PELT

Originally from Guatemala, Maria considers herself a “lifelong learner,” and draws inspiration from vibrant, people-centered environments and her background in the arts – from painting and dance to graphic design and architecture. What began as a childhood passion at age six for painting, dance and drawing, led to a formal interior design education during her middle school and high school years. Her multidisciplinary perspective informs both her design work and her commitment to mentorship within the studio. Outside the office, she volunteers with organizations including Habitat for Humanity and YouthCare, reinforcing her belief that thoughtful design can positively shape communities far beyond the retail floor.

How did you get into retail design?

I grew up in Guatemala surrounded by vibrant colors, layered textures and culturally rich spaces that celebrated people and community. From a very young age, I was immersed in the fine and performing arts (painting, dance and drawing) which later evolved into formal studies in graphic design, interior design and architecture. Retail design felt like the perfect intersection of all those disciplines. It combines storytelling, branding, spatial awareness and human psychology. I was especially drawn to how global retail brands can connect with people across cultures through physical space. Retail allows me to design environments that are not only functional, but emotional and experiential.

Who or what has been the greatest influence on you in your work?

The greatest influence on my work has always been people. I truly believe design has the power to transform through experience: how someone feels, moves and connects within a space matter deeply to me. Understanding human behavior and emotion is at the core of how I approach every project. I’m constantly inspired by the world around me: nature, culture, the people I meet, the conversations I have, the cities I explore, the music I listen to, the art I experience, as well as fashion, photography and films. All that shapes the way I think and understand space. I pay attention to textures, color palettes, movement, light, energy and emotion in everyday moments. Staying curious, being in new environments, finding new stories and perspectives, keep me active and push me to translate those layered influences into thoughtful, meaningful design work.

What’s the biggest challenge you have faced professionally?

Moving to the U.S. and continuing my career in a new country has been one of the most significant professional challenges I’ve faced. Adapting to a different language, as well as new standards, expectations and processes, required resilience, humility and a willingness to return to a learning mindset, and it pushed me far beyond my comfort zone. At the same time, this transition accelerated my growth. It strengthened my confidence, pushing me to trust my intuition and the knowledge I’ve built over the years. I’ve sometimes struggled with the feeling that I need to know everything, when in reality, growth comes from asking questions and embracing the learning process. Accepting that I don’t have to have all the answers has ultimately made me a stronger, more collaborative and more resilient designer.

If I had a completely unlimited budget for a project, I would…

…create a world-class arts center that supports talent in Guatemala.

My dream project is…

…designing my own home!

The best part of my day is…

…having my morning coffee.