Pablo Camarero Esparza: Every Opinion is Valid
Visual Designer and Design Lead
by Elizabeth Lavis
|28 Feb 2025
Pablo Camarero Esparza’s signature style of being a skilled generalist and detail-obsessed specialist has led him to work with legacy clients like IKEA, Opella, and Starbucks as Lead Designer for MRM Spain. His top tip for aspiring designers is to keep your self-confidence. “If you can’t handle criticism without losing faith in yourself, you won’t get very far,” he says. “Also, always maintain side projects alongside your work to have creative freedom.”
Esparza’s personal philosophy hinges on self-belief but also takes into account the opinions of others. “I believe that every opinion is valid because we don’t just design for ourselves, but for other people,” he says. Therefore, when it comes to design, every opinion is valid. On your own, you won’t get far; it’s always better to work as a team. Every piece of artistic work should be considered.”
He was born in Zaragoza, Spain, a ‘dry and windy city,’ but moved to Madrid to study art. “There, I was heavily influenced by the 20th century avant-garde movements, especially Futurism, Dadaism, Russian Constructivism, Suprematism, and the Fluxus movement,” Esparza says. “My interest in underground publications and the DIY scene also grew during this time.”
While Esparza always had an artistic flair, it initially manifested in dreams of being a conceptual sculptor. “My sculptures often ended up falling to the floor,” he says. “Design came into my life quite late, but with such impact, it changed my path forever. In the final years of my art studies, I had the chance to study with the great teacher and typographer Javier Abarca, who introduced me to typography and graphic design.”
IKEA "Wish Network", MRM Spain
Esparza deals with the dark side of design burnout through a combination of self-reliance, a rich inner world, and love for his family. “I stay creative under pressure by taking a deep breath and thinking about how useless most of the tasks I have to do are. I focus on what’s important: the present moment.”
He also works moments of joy and routine into his work, such as enjoying a coffee while reading the design brief. “The second step of my design approach is to plan workflow and delivery timelines,” he says. “Step three is to pray to the gods that no unexpected projects come up, and then start working on the project.” He establishes trust and rapport with clients through a combination of empathy, personal charm, and excellence in the work and presentation and takes critiques in stride. “Studying fine arts means learning the art of accepting all kinds of criticism without flinching,” Esparza says. “I have never received such harsh criticism in my professional life as I did as a student. If your knowledge is solid, there is no criticism- only feedback.”
Esparza derives inspiration from many different places, including watering his terrace plants, and likes to relax with good oldies music and beer. He likes the collaborative and creative aspects of his work. “What I love most about my work as a Design Lead is the feeling of building something amazing together as a team,” he says.
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