Janet Odgis

What is your background?
I founded Odgis + Co. in 1985 after receiving my MFA from Yale University. Before this, I had been a Special Projects Designer at Random House, Knopf and Vintage. I art directed and designed in the advertising, pharmaceutical and magazine sales promotion industries. I've also taught graphic design for five years at Parsons The New School for Design and for 12 years at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art.

Why did you decide to become a designer?
I believe good design is essential for human happiness. I want to Make Business Beautiful.
 
What is your sweet spot?
My gift is reinvention: How to make something fresh and beautiful out of what exists, in the most efficient way possible. I seek elegant solutions to solving problems.
 
How do you reinvent your clients?
I am an avid storyteller. Finding the right emotional tone to express the experience I want to convey is a fascinating process for me. I channel the energy and the vision and then bring it to life visually.
 
How do you work with your team?
I have a brilliant creative team of individuals, each of whom has different special gifts and talents. We all like working together, and there is a seamlessness between us when it comes to solving problems. It has to do with trust, with no ego. We all have the goal of continuing to learn, discover and invent, and be excellent at what we do.
 
What do you like to do aside from design?
On weekends I am a passionate abstract expressionist painter. See my personal work here. I love nature and hiking, yoga and pilates. I watch every film that I can. Architecture fascinates me. And I really enjoy comedy, I like to make people laugh. I am also now blogging for the Huffington Post! See more here.

Jasmine Chan

What made you decide to become a designer?
I grew up with a passion for the fine arts and believed I would major in painting. Almost a stranger to graphic design, I chose to take a type elective during my freshman year in college. I was instantly hooked. Drawn to graphic design’s power to convey complex ideas and information visually, I loved that design could be both beautiful and meaningful.

What is your background?
I received my BFA in Graphic Design from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2021 and my MFA in Design & Entrepreneurship from the School of Visual Arts in 2023. I took on several internships, freelance, and part-time work while studying, gaining valuable experience from start-up, agency, and in-house roles.

How do you get inspired?
I feel inspired by the people and spaces around me. I learn so much from the processes, workflows, and designs of others. In addition to art and design, I love to look at nature, architecture, sounds, and found objects.

What do you like to do aside from design?
I enjoy exploring the city, going to museums, drawing, and finding the best places to try new food.

Martyn Tipping

What is your background?
I’ve been a brand strategist, writer and namer for over 25 years, and have overseen high-profile branding projects for clients in all major industries, all over the world. My last “corporate” job was as Director of Verbal Strategy at Landor Associates, New York where I led branding programs for a wide array of clients, including Procter & Gamble, Delta Air Lines, Motorola, Xerox, AT&T, and Ford Motor Company. I have also taught brand strategy as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University.
 
Why did you become a strategist and namer?
I have always loved words and writing, but after I graduated from Cambridge University I found myself working on a graduate training program at a major bank. It didn’t take long to realize this was not a great match for me, so I responded to a job ad with the headline “Have you ever wondered how products and companies get their names?” I landed the job, and within two weeks of starting created the name for a multi-billion-dollar global life sciences company. And I was hooked…

What inspires you?
There’s tremendous power in being able to take complicated ideas and distilling them into simple, impactful messages. This is true whether you’re a Fortune 100 company, a tech start-up or a nonprofit. At the end of the day, what I do is help organizations tell stories that make a difference.
 
What do you do besides branding?
I love travel, theater, tennis and spending time with my family.
*Consultant


 

Sara Barrack

What is your Background?
I hold a BS Marketing/Management/Communications degree. Previous job experiences include, Media Group Supervisor at Young & Rubicam: NY, Corporate Media Manage at IBM, Associate Planning Director at WIMC; Business Development Manager at Gannett
 
What do you like best about your job?
I enjoy the level of open and direct communication with a diverse group of individuals in a variety of new business segments. This moves things along quickly and elicits an evolved working environment. Focus is always about the project and how to best help prospects solve problems, enhance Design and Branding initiatives, and have fun while doing it.
 
Do prospects appreciate that?
Absolutely, because getting to the point right away makes for the best use of time and energy for everyone involved. I spend the majority of my time pitching Odgis + Co as a valuable and useful resource only if we are a mutually good fit and it makes good business sense for prospects. I worked Account Management positions in the past so I have that perspective as a new business developer and I think that prospects respect me for that. This past experience allows me to understand and “get” what prospects need and want.
 
What do you think is your greatest strength?
I think one of my greatest strengths is as a problem solver. I have the ability to see a situation from different perspectives and I get my goals accomplished even in the face of challenging obstacles. I also feel that my communication skills are top notch. I feel just as comfortable presenting to senior executives as I do when brainstorming with junior team members.
 
How do you feel about the design work that Odgis + Co does?
I believe in it on all levels because the utmost care and consideration is taken into account for all Design projects. Clients say they love our work and a typical response when seeing our Design options for the first time is, “Wow!” I believe in what we do because it is client-centric first and foremost.
 
How do we work together as a team?
The spirit of the team is soulful and engaging. We all feel excited about our work and it shows. All of us are broad thinkers as well as extremely adept to paying attention to every minute detail. As a team, we strive to be the best, are reliable, and engage in seamless interaction. It is no-ego cooperation. Our collective interests are producing the best Design work. Always and in all ways!
*Consultant

Sebrina Smith

Why did you decide to become a designer?
When my parents put the first crayon in my hand. I started scribbling and it made them happy, so why not experience that same excitement as an adult, create something that makes other happy and meets their needs.

What is your background?
I attended Florida State University with a focus on Visual Communication and Art History. 

What inspires me?
Travel has been a big part of my life from birth. My father was in the military so that opened the world to me. My parents made sure that no matter what country we were in we explored everything about it. Museums became a part of our everyday life.

What is your sweet spot?
Listening to what people say.

What do you like to do aside from design?
I love movies. Good and bad, I appreciate the attempt. 

John Vondracek

What is your background?
I’ve been designing for film and television for well over the past 2 decades, from my first company (Just 2 Guys) through current day (The String Theory). Specializing in motion graphics, my work has been recognized by the AIGA, Art Director’s Club, Type Director’s Club, among other design annuals. TV shows have won Emmys while films have been featured at festivals like Sundance and Tribeca, earned theatrical releases, a Peabody Award, and most recently, garnered an Academy Award (Best Feature Length Doc: “OJ: Made In America”) The work with Roger Waters (of Pink Floyd fame) and his team was hailed “A Staggering Masterpiece” by Rolling Stone Magazine. (Could anything have made my Dad prouder than that?)

How did you get into Motion Graphics?
Lou Dorfsman, my teacher and mentor at Cooper Union was adamant that I “forget this silly web stuff” I was working on, and that “you need to be in film and television.” I replied that I was about to graduate, and how would I ever learn that now, at this late hour? His reply? “Ahem… I was only the Creative Director for CBS Television for 45 years… if only I knew someone who could help you?” Two weeks later I had my first interview. 1 week after that I had a job. 2 years after that, I started my first company. What a fantastic influence he was on my life!

What inspires you?
Can I say The Muppets? No? How about Errol Morris? Yes? Hitchcock? Yes? Kubrick? Yes? How about Chuck Jones and Loony Tunes? No? David Fincher? Yes. Vampires, Ghosts and UFOs? No? Scratch all that. I’ll go with The Muppets.

What do you do besides motion graphics?
I like to read, I like to write, I like to make people laugh. I love to teach (have been teaching Motion Graphics for the past 20+ years at Cooper Union). Big fan of tacos and craft beer. Even bigger fan of music and live performances. Animals and nature fill my heart.
 

Thais Chu

What made you decide to become a designer?
I have always been drawn to strong visuals and art making, and originally started out as a painter. Progressively I became more aware of how design shapes our everyday lives, perspectives and thoughts.  I am attracted to the understanding that strong design can be a constructive force used to enhance communication and collective understanding. The process of realizing an idea and effectively communicating it is incredibly satisfying to me. I also love how multifaceted the design field is, and how it is capable of engaging the public through various environments, forms and mediums.
 
What is your background?
I graduated from Sarah Lawrence College with a Liberal Arts Degree and a concentration in Fine Art. Subsequently, I enrolled in an AAS Certificate program for Graphic Design at Parsons the New School for Design. Since graduation, I have worked as a designer for about 10 years, and my experience includes work in the Arts, medical, nonprofit, beauty, and food & beverage industries, with a focus on branding and identity systems. 

How do you get inspired?  
High quality design in any form or medium can contribute to understanding what makes a visual impactful and can excite new ideas.  I am also very inspired by everyday connections we make in life, and often find the most interesting ideas come from outside the field of design to avoid reproducing old ideas.  I like to expose myself to an array of sources for storytelling such as music, literature, fine art, and dance.
 
What do you like to do aside from design?
Aside from design, I enjoy attending museums, dance performances/classes, readings, as well as visiting natural settings and traveling.  I love to read, mainly fiction, and attend a book club, as well as paint/draw during my spare time.
 

Shanti Mehta

What is your Background?
B.A. in Corporate Finance from Baruch College, B.S. in Physics/Mathematics from Bombay University and an Associate Degree in Business Management from BMCC-CUNY.

What do you like best about your job?
The total experience — there’s always some new, challenging and innovative assignment. Keeping track of an employee's every productive moment and making sure it is billed to clients on time.

What do you think is your greatest strength?
I have quite a long experience within various industries and with different accounting and payroll software. I’m well-versed in business and financial matters.

You joined this business a year and half ago. What was the attraction?
I’d never worked before for a graphic design business, so it was a new experience, an opportunity to work for real professional and creative people.

Kate Mrozowski

What is your Background?
I graduated from The Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Graphic Design. Since then I have been working as Motion Graphics designer and animator for film, television, and advertising. Most recently, I have executed projects for MGM, Focus Features, ABC, CBS, Prudential, Bose, Xerox and Target. 

What excites you about your projects/clients?
I am most excited about working in Motion Graphics because it allows me to work on different phases of the entire process. I have the opportunity to design, animate, storyboard and direct live action shoots. One of my favorite parts of the process is hearing from a client after they see the final product.
 
What would you say is your strongest skill?
Working in design and Motion Graphics I have learned the importance of focus and efficiency. This allows me to maintain integrity in clean design and clear message while executing it in a timely manner. View Kate's work here: www.katemro.com
 
How do you get inspired?
I am most inspired by problem-solving. From understanding the parameters of a project, I know where to push and where to pull. I enjoy a good challenge.

What do you like to do aside from design?
When I am not working, I am volunteering for The American Foundation for Tibetan Cultural Preservation and the Tools for Peace organization.
*Consultant

Steve Lipman

What is your background?
I’m a graduate of Manhattan College, where I received a BFA in Fine Art & Philosophy. I continued my art studies at The Art Students League, NYC. I have worked in the graphic design industry for 20+ years as a Designer, Art Director and most recently as Production Director at SidLee US. I was responsible for the management and production of all Intel brand assets for the past 15 years, while managing other client work.

What would you hope people learn from Odgis + Co?
Great design of the highest quality is key to effective brand communications.

Why did you become a designer?
I’ve always loved art and design. As a child I was a big fan of comics, illustration and typography, and would draw whenever I had the chance. When it was time to get my first job, I knew I wanted to create for a living.  

What excites you about your projects/clients?
I’m always excited to solve the unique challenges that each project brings. There’s a lot to be learned from clients and it’s fulfilling to work closely together to reach a common goal. The collaborative process, from the first meeting through the final delivery, is always an engaging journey. 

What do you do besides graphic design?
I create art and design daily and attend art events regularly. I’m always learning about environmental issues and active in environmental causes. Also, I’m a big English Premier League Football (soccer) fan.
  

 

Don Heymann

What is your background?
I’ve been an independent writer and strategist for more than 30 years, serving such leading companies as Pfizer, PepsiCo, Citibank, GE and BASF, as well as major non-profit organizations like Save the Children, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, The Nature Conversancy, Mount Sinai Medical Center, and the Lupus Research Alliance. I’m also an adjunct faculty member at NYU’s School of Professional Studies where I teach a course in strategic and marketing communications writing. Earlier, I worked in corporate public relations.

Why did you become a writer and strategist?
I’ve always loved words and the intricate human process of communicating. I'm living proof that an idealistic college poet can become a successful business communicator. From language junkie to PR pro to writer/strategist, I like to tap into the power of stories, metaphor and the rhythm of words that add color and depth, while using the spare, direct language of journalism that provides clarity and concision. And I enjoy the challenge of connecting with and influencing business audiences, while dealing with different corporate cultures and finicky CEOs. Ultimately, it's all about connecting, head and heart, person to person.

How has writing influenced your life?
Writing has shaped me as a person since I was a kid. Besides being challenged (and rewarded) by the process of communicating, I’m constantly learning – about clients, the broad array of subjects I write about, and the audiences I’m striving to influence.
 
What do you do besides writing?
I’m sure it’s not surprising that I love to read. I always have two books going at once, fiction and nonfiction. I also love the arts and regularly go to museums, plays, movies, and concerts. Most important, I’m a family man who treasures just hanging out with my wife and two sons.
*Consultant