Simonetta Nieto is a creative and design leader at The New York Times, where she leads branding, creative direction and visual strategy for Licensing. With over 15 years of experience in design and creative leadership, she has guided multidisciplinary teams through periods of transformation and innovation.
Working at the intersection of storytelling and design, Simonetta creates brand identity systems and compelling visual stories for diverse platforms and formats. She specializes in global brand scalability and governance while driving new ideas and maintaining brand consistency.
Before joining The New York Times, Simonetta served as Art Director at Surface magazine, where her client work and collaborations included projects with Google, Adidas Originals, Blu Dot, Squarespace, and the MoMA Design Store, among others.
Beyond her professional work, she is a practicing visual artist, exploring themes of identity, nature and place.
Talks, Judging and Mentorship
Society of Publication Designers, Illustration Portfolio Review 2026, Mentor
AIGA NY Mentorship Program, 2025, Mentor
Campaign for Journalism, 2023, Speaker
School of Visual Arts, MFA Illustration of Visual Essay, 2022, Guest Critic
Vértice Festival 2022, Universidad Rafael Landívar, Guatemala, Speaker
Pratt Institute, 2022, Mentor
Latin American Design Awards 2022, Judge
Pratt Institute, Advocating for Diversity and Equity, 2020, Panelist
Society of Illustrators, Illustrator 62, Judge
On Air Fest, Panel Moderator and Curator
Awards and Press
Working Not Working Mag
Newspaper Club
AIGA: Eye on Design
Milan Design Award for Best Engagement, Surface
Frame Award for Best Tradefair Stand of the Year, Surface
ASME Awards Best Cover Finalist, Surface
Art Exhibitions and Residencies
The Border is Beautiful, Group Exhibition, Texas
State of Wander, Group Exhibition, New York
Pocoapoco Art Residency, Mexico
Working at the intersection of storytelling and design, Simonetta creates brand identity systems and compelling visual stories for diverse platforms and formats. She specializes in global brand scalability and governance while driving new ideas and maintaining brand consistency.
Before joining The New York Times, Simonetta served as Art Director at Surface magazine, where her client work and collaborations included projects with Google, Adidas Originals, Blu Dot, Squarespace, and the MoMA Design Store, among others.
Beyond her professional work, she is a practicing visual artist, exploring themes of identity, nature and place.
Talks, Judging and Mentorship
Society of Publication Designers, Illustration Portfolio Review 2026, Mentor
AIGA NY Mentorship Program, 2025, Mentor
Campaign for Journalism, 2023, Speaker
School of Visual Arts, MFA Illustration of Visual Essay, 2022, Guest Critic
Vértice Festival 2022, Universidad Rafael Landívar, Guatemala, Speaker
Pratt Institute, 2022, Mentor
Latin American Design Awards 2022, Judge
Pratt Institute, Advocating for Diversity and Equity, 2020, Panelist
Society of Illustrators, Illustrator 62, Judge
On Air Fest, Panel Moderator and Curator
Awards and Press
Working Not Working Mag
Newspaper Club
AIGA: Eye on Design
Milan Design Award for Best Engagement, Surface
Frame Award for Best Tradefair Stand of the Year, Surface
ASME Awards Best Cover Finalist, Surface
Art Exhibitions and Residencies
The Border is Beautiful, Group Exhibition, Texas
State of Wander, Group Exhibition, New York
Pocoapoco Art Residency, Mexico
Capabilities
Creative Direction
Design and Art Direction
Brand Identity and Strategy
Brand Governance
Editorial Design
UX/UI
Photography
Photo Editing
Image Rights
Video Direction
Intellectual Property
Copyright
Team Management
Mentorship
Management
Education
The University of Texas
Bachelor of Journalism
Concentration in Copy and Design
Contact
simonetta.nieto@gmail.com
Creative Direction
Design and Art Direction
Brand Identity and Strategy
Brand Governance
Editorial Design
UX/UI
Photography
Photo Editing
Image Rights
Video Direction
Intellectual Property
Copyright
Team Management
Mentorship
Management
Education
The University of Texas
Bachelor of Journalism
Concentration in Copy and Design
Contact
simonetta.nieto@gmail.com