michael ian kaye

CREATIVE DIRECTOR, MOTHER DESIGN

Born in Queens, raised in Kentucky, Kaye launched his impressive New York design career twenty-four years ago. Before transitioning to advertising, Kaye spent ten years in book publishing, designing iconic covers for novels such as Fight Club and The Tipping Point. He then moved on to be a creative director at Ogilvy and then AR. In 2005, he broadened the scope of Mother New York’s capabilities with the founding of Mother Design. Kaye views design as a means of problem solving and story telling; a place where function meets form. To him, design is the substance that drives style. With this principle in mind, his work at Mother has attracted clients such as Target, Tanqueray, New York Times, most recently JCPenney and Todd Selby. Throughout his career, he has lectured and taught design. Beyond work, he enjoys growing, making, and eating food in his Catskills home.

Where were you born and where do you live now? How does that affect your design sensibility?
Born in Queens NY. Currently living in Chelsea. As a child, moved around a lot where I was exposed to many different cultures. Aesthetics magnified this.

Who would you say is the most influential graphic designer of the past 50 years?
Andy Warhol has been the most influential – he blurred the lines between design, illustration, fine art and his use of photography, iconography, colors, simplicity and mixed mediums.

What is your greatest strength and weakness as a designer or design manager?
My preciseness is both my greatest strength and weakness.

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