Meet Jessica Comingore Donais | Creative Director & Brand Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Comingore Donais and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I didn’t grow up with examples of people close to me pursuing creative careers. My mom was a nurse, and my dad worked in sales—though both are incredibly artistic and creative people—so it didn’t dawn on me until my senior year of high school when I started considering options for college. The first time I toured a design school, I felt an intense sense of belonging. It was the first time I realized that other people thought, felt, and experienced the world as I did. It was revelatory, and from that point on, I knew the career path I would take would be a creative one.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Marbury was born out of my desire to build something beyond myself after working as a freelance graphic designer for five years. I wanted to grow a team and offer more support to our clients beyond simply the development of logos. I feel my strength as a creative lies between my curiosity about the human experience and my passion for creating beauty. I’ve never been a surface-level person, and I think that translates into how I lead our agency. Aesthetics are fun, but I want to understand what’s happening beneath the surface; who our clients are, where they came from, what drives them to do what they do, and who they are here to serve. Only then can we use that information to create an effective design that solves problems. I think this intimate collaboration is what makes us unique, along with our aesthetic. I’m aware of what’s current but prefer to bypass trends for timelessness. I’m most proud of the brand identities we developed ten years ago that are still growing and evolving with our clients today. That is my goal for every brand that enters our world.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface of the incredible things Arizona has to offer. But here are a few of my favorite places to visit, snack, and explore between Tucson and Phoenix so far: Cosanti: I think the out-of-the-box aesthetic of Paolo Soleri inspires most creative types, and I am no exception. I always make a pitstop at Cosanti to wander around, take photos, and bring home a new windbell.
Barrio Bread: I love Don Guerra’s baking approach and commitment to community. His loaves are uniquely Arizonian, incorporating Sonoran and heritage grains. The results are incredibly delicious whether it’s bread, pizza, or bagels.
Tohono Chul Gardens: The gardens at Tohono Chul are the perfect place to spend an afternoon wandering around and soaking in the native flora and fauna.
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun: DeGrazia sits on a property as awe-inspiring as the art within the galleries. I like to go here to sit in the courtyard and listen to the birds chirp.
Caravan Grill: I’m a sucker for a good chicken shawarma sandwich, and Caravan delivers. Grab an iced mint tea to cool down, too.
Time Market: The designer in me loves to go here because the experience is so aesthetically pleasing. They have a great selection of natural wines, pantry goods, and a café menu that does not disappoint. I recommend grabbing a chocolate chip cookie (or two) on your way out.
Ceres: Nestled in a cozy alleyway in the Presidio neighborhood, Ceres is the perfect spot for a day or night date. They have a rotating menu of fresh pasta and soft serve gelato that meets all my favorite flavor pairings, like caper and anchovy pasta with brown butter lemon zest breadcrumbs and black sesame and matcha gelato.
Pearly Baker Fermentables: I fell in love with natural wine during my time in Oregon, living a stone’s throw from the Willamette Valley. I can always count on Pearly for a unique and delicious bottle of something. They also recently opened a cozy tasting room!
Exo Roast Co.: I love the feel of their location inside an old adobe home on Simpson Street in Barrio Viejo. The coffee is exceptional, and the patio is the perfect place to spend a morning sipping coffee.
Bon: A quaint, family-owned boutique filled with apparel, home goods, and accessories. A great spot to grab a gift or treat yourself to something special. The owner, Bonnie, is so lovely.
Saguaro National Park: Saguaros as far as the eye can see! Taking a drive through the park at sunset is something special.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
After graduating from design school, I landed a job as a Junior Interior Designer at an architecture firm called KAA Design Group. I worked in the interior design department, which Chris Barrett led at the time. Chris really took a chance on me as a young designer with only a portfolio of school projects to show. Over three years, she let me flex my creativity beyond my job title into graphic design and photography, which undoubtedly led me to where I am today. I also credit a lot of my design eye to watching her work in those early days of my creative career. To me, she was a pioneer of the laid-back California aesthetic that we see everywhere today.

Website: https://marbury.co/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicacomingore

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-comingore/

Image Credits
Justin Donais