Design is creative problem solving, bringing vision to life through playful discovery.
Homebase: Atlanta, GA
Currently: Getting better at fly fishing
I’m Mike, a Creative Director passionate about motion, design, and technology. I’ve been doing this for more than two decades, and I’m still most interested in the moment where a rough idea becomes something people can actually feel.
I started out as a touring musician, which probably explains my obsession with rhythm, pacing, and connection. I’m an early adopter by nature—AI included—because I like to move fast and experiment.
When I’m AFK, I’m usually outdoors, chasing water, or in the shop refinishing some rescued piece of furniture. I’m also a dad of two, which mostly means I’ve gotten ruthless about focus and prioritizing what matters.
According to the Cosmos:
A Little Celestial Context
Born under an Aries Sun with Leo Rising—which astrologically translates to "walks into rooms like they own them, starts ten projects before lunch, finishes two by dinner." The stars say I'm built for leadership and spotlight moments, though my Aquarius Moon means I'm simultaneously plotting my escape route to maintain independence.
Mars in Pisces apparently makes me a sensitive warrior (an oxymoron that checks out), while my North Node in Virgo keeps whispering that my real purpose involves less grandstanding and more rolling up my sleeves for meaningful work.
The cosmic blueprint basically describes someone who looks confident and collected on the outside while maintaining a carefully guarded inner world of contradictions. Mercury in Aries means I think and speak quickly—sometimes too quickly—and Venus in Aquarius means I collect interesting people but resist being pinned down.
Whether you believe in astrology or not, it's a surprisingly accurate personality sketch: ambitious initiator, reluctant finisher, natural performer with a deep need for freedom, and someone who's most effective when working in service of something larger than themselves.
Questions
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I’m a Creative Director who builds motion-led brand systems and digital experiences—web, product, campaigns, and big moments. I’m strongest when the work needs both taste and structure: turning a messy brief into a clear system teams can ship.
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I’m looking for Creative Director roles in-house, agency-side, and AI or emerging tech companies.
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Brand launches, platform redesigns, ecommerce, motion guidelines, campaign systems, interactive activations, and event content. If it needs a strong point of view, a scalable system, and a polished final product, I’m in my zone.
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Both. I’m brand-first in taste and storytelling, and product-minded in how things work, scale, and convert. I like work where the brand shows up in the UX—not just the visuals.
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Very. I can lead direction and also get in the weeds—designing screens, building motion studies, prototyping, writing creative, shaping decks, and polishing final output. I like teams where leadership and craft live in the same body.
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Repeatable creative rules that keep work consistent and fast to produce: templates, modules, guidelines, UI patterns, motion language, and a clear way to make decisions. Systems protect the brand and make shipping easier.
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I get to clarity fast: define the goal, identify the user, map constraints, propose a direction, then prototype and pressure-test it. I’d rather show a strong option early than debate hypotheticals for two weeks.
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Like a power tool: ideation, exploration, rapid variations, early prototyping, and tightening language. It helps me move faster and test more directions—but taste, decisions, and final craft stay human.
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I translate between creative, product, and dev. I bring clear specs, a strong POV, and a willingness to iterate. My default is: align early, prototype fast, and keep the build realistic without watering down the idea.
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Motion is a core part of my toolkit, not the only thing I do. I use it to bring brands to life across digital products, platforms, campaigns, and events–then back it up with the systems and craft to ship it well.
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I’m in the Atlanta area (Decatur). I work remotely all the time and I’m happy to travel for shoots, workshops, and key moments.