María Alma is a visual designer guided by a curiosity about how typography, materials, and systems can give form to meaningful stories and shape the way people see and experience the world. She leads conceptual development and execution across a range of projects, including exhibition design, publications, wayfinding, environmental graphics, and digital experiences.

She has contributed to projects for institutions such as the International African American Museum, the National Air and Space Museum, and the Obama Presidential Center. Her work has been recognized by Fast Company, Graphis, Blooloop, and the Society for Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD).

Through her collaborations with cultural and educational institutions, María Alma continues to explore how design can foster dialogue and create experiences that invite connection, learning, and reflection.

︎︎︎ mariaalma.guepi@gmail.com
︎︎︎ are.na

International African American Museum

Carolina Gold Gallery. Photo cred: Sahar Coston-Hardy/Esto Carolina Gold Gallery. Photo cred: Sahar Coston-Hardy/Esto Carolina Gold Gallery. Photo cred: Sahar Coston-Hardy/Esto American Journeys Gallery. Photo cred: Sahar Coston-Hardy/Esto Content mapping process for American Journeys Gallery American Journeys Gallery. Photo cred: Sahar Coston-Hardy/Esto Atlantic Worlds Gallery. Photo cred: Sahar Coston-Hardy/Esto Atlantic Worlds Gallery. Photo cred: Sahar Coston-Hardy/Esto


The International African American Museum (IAAM) is located on the waterfront site that was the port of arrival for nearly half of all enslaved Africans brought to North America in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The museum is dedicated to telling their stories and celebrating the contributions of their descendants.

The exhibition design team aimed to create an environment that honors the site’s history while supporting an array of exhibitions, events, and educational resources.

The New York Times wrote: “If such a museum expands the parameters of history, and this one does, that’s a lot. Which, I guess, is why I ended up on a visit awarding it my sincerest accolade: At closing time I didn’t want to leave”.
Role: Visual Designer
Company: Ralph Appelbaum Associates

Design Development - Installation

Press:
New York Times
Fast Company
Dezeen



Center of Family History Gallery. Photo cred: Sahar Coston-Hardy/Esto Graphic elevations used during the installation process African Routes Gallery. Photo cred: Sahar Coston-Hardy/Esto Samples created to test and select graphic techniques for all the galleries Gullah Geechee Gallery. Photo cred: Sahar Coston-Hardy/Esto Bringing historic artifacts into the museum during the installation phase Exterior graphics. Photo cred: Sahar Coston-Hardy/Esto Exterior graphics. Photo cred: Sahar Coston-Hardy/Esto Exterior graphics. Photo cred: Sahar Coston-Hardy/Esto