
Elisa Hofstee
Designer
ABOUT ME
Hi, I’m Elisa — a graphic designer and editorial creative with a love for storytelling through images, symbols, and culture.
I’m originally from Mexico and have been based in the Netherlands since 2017.
My creative journey began with Cinéfila magazine, where I worked as both designer and editor, followed by enriching collaborations with Traveler and Arte Culinario. These early experiences taught me how to shape visual narratives, coordinate creative voices, and give soul to a publication. Years later, in the Netherlands, I created Orígenes, a cultural magazine concept for the Mexican Embassy in The Hague — a project close to my heart that connected stories, heritage, and identity.
One of my proudest works is Nicholas and the Magic Notebook, a children’s book I wrote and illustrated as my university thesis. It was awarded the Apoyarte Prize in 2010, and 10,000 copies were printed with the support of the Mexican government. The book gently helps children recognize and express their fears — a theme that remains close to my creative purpose.
Over the years, I’ve deepened my practice through courses on symbolism and visual meaning, which continue to shape how I approach every design — with intuition, intention, and emotion. My background in color theory, composition, and art history supports the more technical side of my work, but at its core, my design process is about empathy and imagination.
Spanish is my mother tongue, and I’m fluent in English and Dutch. I’m also learning Italian, as I’m always curious about new languages and the cultures behind them.