Eileen Riestra

CREATIVE DIRECTOR, DYASTUDIO, INC., SAN JUAN PR AND DEPICT BRANDS, BOSTON MA

Change the world through design. This has been Eileen Riestra’s motto for over 10 years. She has a BFA in Graphic Design from Suffolk University and a certificate of Executive Education from Yale University’s School of Management. After working with brands like BMW, MiniCooper, Starbucks, and Gillette, Eileen launched DYAStudio, Inc., a design firm in Puerto Rico. She has studied under world renowned creative geniuses such as Massimo Vignelli, Louise Fili and Steve Heller and has incorporated all that she has learned into her design process. While attending Yale, Eileen recognized the unmet needs of the Hispanic market and decided to bring her skills to Boston. To that end she founded Depict Brands, where she currently serves Hispanic and immigrant entrepreneurs. Eileen is the recipient of the 2013 Hispanic Graphic Design Award from GDUSA, serves on the Board of Directors of Insource as Brand Director, and was the only female Hispanic speaker at Talk Back Boston alongside a panel of creative innovators and the Mayor of Boston, Martin Walsh. With several restaurant branding jobs on her plate right now, Eileen keeps striving to make changes in the world through design.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN? WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
I was born in San Juan and I currently split my time between Puerto Rico and Boston.

DID YOU GO TO DESIGN SCHOOL?
The New England School of Art & Design at Suffolk University

LEFTY OR RIGHTY?
Righty

MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?
Owl tell you later…

FICTIONAL OR HISTORICAL CHARACTER YOU’VE ALWAYS IDENTIFIED WITH?
Fictional is Rainbow Brite, who strives to change the world with color. Historical is Mother Theresa, who worked to change the world with love for the unwanted.

ARE YOU MUSICAL AND/OR DO YOU PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?
I wish!

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE CHILDHOOD TV SHOW?
Saved by the Bell

LAST BOOK YOU READ?
Start with Why, Simon Sinek

ANY PETS?
My bamboo plant!

WHAT LANGUAGES ARE YOU FLUENT IN?
English and Spanish Favorite movies? The Pursuit of Happiness, La Vita es Bella

FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?
Juan Martin Oña

FAVORITE CHARITY?
I enjoy helping the less fortunate. Recently, I traveled to the Dominican Republic to help the needy and I would love to travel to Calcutta.

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY?
Free time? I enjoy photography, traveling, calligraphy and trying to find time to do all these!

WHAT’S THE LAST COMPLIMENT YOU GOT?
Two months ago, my 8 year old niece wrote in her school homework that she loved to hang out with her FUN Aunt.

DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING?
I’m always game for a cool shot glass

COLOR USED MOST OFTEN IN YOUR DESIGN?
Orange

TYPEFACE USED MOST OFTEN?
Futura

DO YOU HAVE A DESIGN MENTOR OR INSPIRATION?
Massimo Vignelli

GREATEST STRENGTH/WEAKNESS AS A DESIGNER?
Strength is conceptual design, weakness is that I have a hard time saying no.

ADVICE TO A YOUNG DESIGNER JUST STARTING OUT?
Just keep swimming!

IF YOU WERE NOT A DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
A psychologist

A MANTRA OR SAYING YOU LIVE BY?
Don’t let your life be barren. Be useful. Make yourself felt. Shine forth with the torch of your faith and your love.

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