“I didn't have high expectations for this career nor did I think I could make a living from it,” says Mexico City-based graphic designer and illustrator Matias Funes. “Life proved me wrong, and over time, my passion and love for design grew enormously.”

Matias was interested in visual arts and design at a young age, and wanted to pursue a career that combined art and illustration. But coming from a family of lawyers and doctors, he felt pressure to follow a more academic path. He compromised by studying architecture, but after a few years, he decided to follow his true calling: graphic design. 

His gamble paid off, and over the last 15 years in the profession, Matias has been able to build a solid and successful career as a designer: “Today, I can say with certainty that I love what I do and live from it successfully.”

LABONE by Matias Funes

Matias had similarly low expectations of Behance when he first started out on the platform. “I have always used Adobe applications, so when Behance came out, I saw it as an interesting place to find inspiration,” he recalls. Eventually, he began sharing his own works with the goal of generating online interactions. 

“I didn't expect to find many clients here, as the competition was very high, but I was pleasantly surprised,” shares Matias. “Behance has given me the opportunity to work with clients from all over the world. I am very grateful to the platform for this unexpected reach.” In the last 9 months, Matias has completed 45 projects for clients through Behance, many of them repeat customers. 

Antoinette Cake Shop by Matias Funes

Matias’s strategy for cultivating loyal clients is simple: “Provide efficient solutions to their needs.” He emphasizes the importance of truly understanding each client, capturing their brand personality, and translating it into thoughtful, visual solutions. “The efficiency and success of a project depend on good synergy between the client and the designer,” Matias explains. “I highly value those who are kind, patient, and understand what each stage of design entails. The idea is to make the design process enjoyable, and the result is something that’s both captivating that meets the objective.” 

Pecan Squares desserts by Matias Funes

“Upgrading to Behance Pro has been a radical change in my professional life,” says Matias. “The tools and visibility that the Pro account offers are invaluable.” As a Pro member, Matias benefits from enhanced visibility and access to exclusive freelance jobs: “I'm not exaggerating when I say that I've seen a significant increase in the number of new clients I've attracted." 

The advanced tools and increased visibility have enabled Matias attract new clients from around the world and take his career to the next level. "I definitely believe that Behance Pro, coupled with a good portfolio, has enormous potential to boost any designer's career and open doors to profitable and interesting projects.”

Pro or no, Matias has 3 tips for creatives looking to get the most out of Behance. 

1. Research Standards and Examples 

With tens of thousands of projects being published to Behance every week, there is no better place to find creative inspiration and learn from the best. “Explore the success stories on Behance to understand how to use the platform effectively and generate a positive impact — I'm referring to designers with many followers, likes, and well-done projects,” says Matias.

Browse curated galleries and use featured projects as benchmarks. Study how they’re presented: the storytelling, mockups, typography, and how the images are sequenced. Let that inspire your own project structure.

Café Pool - Coffee Shop by Matias Funes

2. Publish Polished Projects

Before hitting publish, aim for a high level of finish—both visually and conceptually. “Publish well-done projects, whether they are real projects or creative prototypes,” advises Matias. “Impactful projects will position you on the platform and attract the attention of many users and potential clients.”

Make sure to include relevant categories, keywords, and tools to help your work get seen by the right people.

CBCF - Centre for Biodiverse Carbon Farming by Matias Funes

3. Connect with Your Community

“Being a social network, it is important to enjoy the interaction and build a community of design and art,” says Matias. “Interact, comment, and give appreciations.”  

Start by following creatives whose work you admire. Appreciate projects you enjoy, and leave thoughtful comments. Highlight a specific element you loved—maybe it’s the choice of typography, the visual concept, or the way the presentation flows.

I Know Collection by Matias Funes

Matias’s journey from architect to thriving freelance designer is a reminder that following your passion and investing in your portfolio can unlock unexpected success. See more projects by Matias and hire him for freelance projects on Behance.