Mike Strassburger from Modern Dog

He/Him

Olalla, WA

Over 30 years in the graphic design industry — skilled in corporate identity, creative direction, packaging, entertainment design, recreation design and typography — all with a high bent toward creativity. During my years as co-founder and vice president of Modern Dog, I traveled extensively, giving talks and presentations on creativity.

"IT WAS ALWAYS GRAPHIC DESIGN."

LISTEN TO MUSIC WHILE YOU WORK? ANYTHING SPECIAL IN YOUR WORK SPACE THAT UNLEASHES YOUR CREATIVE JUICES?

I always listen to music when I work, and I like lots of stuff around, kinda messy-like.

HAVE ANY SPECIAL TRICKS OR INSIGHTS INTO HOW TO CONNECT WITH YOUR AUDIENCE AND MAKE ‘EM RESPOND?

Being 100% authentic. Not trying to be something else.

WHERE DO YOUR BEST IDEAS COME FROM? (DREAMS, SHOWER, MUSEUM, TRAIN?)

Just start brainstorming, and when something strikes my fancy I just keep going to the absurd.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DRAW AS A CHILD? WHY DID THAT LODGE IN YOUR HEAD?

Random logos before I knew what they were — no idea why. I also loved to draw the Pink Panther as Alice Cooper.

ANY ACTIVITIES, EXERCISES OR STRATEGIES TO PULL YOURSELF OUT OF THE OCCASIONAL ARTISTIC RUT?

Well, I LOVE Brazilian jiu-jitsu, but that’s not how I pull myself out of a rut. If I feel stuck, I look at horribly designed things and feel inspired. Not joking!

DID YOU HAVE A MAGIC MOMENT WHEN YOU KNEW YOU WANTED ART TO BE YOUR LIFE?

Yes, when I got a job at a screen-printing shop in high school and realized that “graphic design” is a thing! I didn’t really do strictly art — it was always graphic design.

Shop Designs:

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