Interviewing Designer Mike Hay

For my next designer spotlight, the choice was a very obvious one. Mike Hay, now at ADwërks, can be called a designer, an illustrator, a copywriter, social media manager, lion tamer, fire eater, human cannonball. You name it, he does it all. To me though, he has been a mentor, taking great interest in my career. He has also been a sparkling example of how a designer should be personally and professionally. And let’s not forget the quality of his work.

Introducing Mike Hay.

Tell us about your path to this point.

I worked as an illustrator/designer, then art director, and eventually a department manager for 8 years in Mankato, MN. I liked the work and LOVED my co-workers, but the company was in trouble due to leadership’s cronyism and inability to see opportunities where they were pretty obvious.

I came to Sioux Falls after that. I worked for a brand shop for about a year and a half. Then the place crumbled and went bankrupt. What a comic that story will make someday.

After that, I spent a little over a year at an ad/marketing shop. I liked the work and loved the people, but the recession happened and they had to make cuts.

Then I came to ADwërks. Things are still relatively new for me here, but getting up in the morning to go to work is pretty easy when you’re having this much fun.

What sort of goals or ambitions do you have?

I try to keep an eye on the future of how people communicate. I’d love to keep helping businesses do more/new business by utilizing communication. I also love to help people find jobs in the industry. It’s tough now, but we have to reach out and keep trying.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A cowboy, or comedian, or a comic book illustrator. But, I’m too big of a wimp to be a cowboy and too hungry to be a comedian or a comic book artist.

What or who has influenced you?

Music, cd/album covers, comic books, font designers, nature, art history, co-workers, movies and a lot of local designers. I also have a close group of friends that are illustrators and designers, so a gentle sense of competition keeps my head in the game.

What is your favorite and least favorite typeface?

My favorite is Humanist. Clean and humble. I’m getting a little tired of Bleeding Cowboy.

Best part about the industry?

Watching the technological changes in how people communicate.

Worst part about the industry?

The instability.

What is the coolest thing you’ve seen lately or work that you’ve liked?

Design/illustration wise, there have been a lot of gorgeous posters coming out of Fresh Produce in the last few months. On a larger scale, I love to see the initiative, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit that has come up in defiance of the economic downturn. Sheer optimism in the face of adversity is a sign of the best in human nature.

High point of your career/ favorite piece of work?

My high point is still yet to come. I know that sounds like a cop-out, but I have a good feeling about it.

My favorite piece of work so far is an installation piece I did for the Taylor Corporation/Carlson Craft corporate office in Minneapolis. Unfortunately, the corporate douche-bags that promised to take a lot of pictures of the finished installed project for me lied. I have no visual record of it.

One thing you wish you would have done to prepare yourself for your career?

I wish I would have learned to work with other creative people right away. I’m great with it now, but those first few years were tough. I was more worried about being understood than being understanding.

Advice for up and coming designers…

Network. Show potential employers that you are not only someone who can make things look good, but that you understand brand, big picture stuff and strategy. Also, try not to turn your nose up at too many little jobs. What some people call “crap work”, previous generations called opportunity. I respect ambition, but dues have to be paid. Some dues take years.

Always be looking for the next big thing and try to have fun. You can always tell when a designer stopped caring about keeping things exciting.