EXECUTIVE DESIGN DIRECTOR, HOOK, LOS ANGELES CA
Mikell is an award-winning design director exploring where technology and art converge, currently serving as Executive Design Director at Hook. As an independent creative content agency, Hook creates high-quality, scalable campaigns that drive growth for many of the world’s leading brands, including Google, YouTube, and Stripe.
Beyond this, Mikell is a public advocate and highly engaged mentor. He’s painted murals and designed multimedia projects examining society and culture, and is deeply passionate about social and environmental issues. For years, he’s facilitated various mentorship initiatives with young, emerging designers, including Sandbox, a program he’s helped spearhead for Hook. Sandbox provides high school and college-age students from underrepresented communities with exposure to creative professions through mentorship and hands-on experience.
Mikell is based in Los Angeles, where he lives with his wife, two daughters, and an ever-growing family of houseplants.
TELL US HOW AND WHY YOU BECAME INVOLVED IN SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATIONS, AND SHARE ANY THOUGHTS ON WHY DESIGN CAN BE AN ESPECIALLY EFFECTIVE TOOL?
My journey into socially responsible work began in the heart of the Mission district in San Francisco, where I was born and raised amidst a family deeply committed to social activism. Growing up, I marched alongside them, witnessing firsthand the power of collective voices demanding change. These formative experiences instilled in me the importance of not just speaking out, but also “walking the walk” – staying informed and actively engaged in my community and the world at large.
It was during those marches and demonstrations that I first encountered the visual arts, not in a gallery, but on protest posters. This bold, impactful design work conveyed powerful messages, serving as rallying cries for justice and equality. I realized then that design, with its unique ability to marry image and messaging, is an exceptionally potent tool for social change.
As designers, we possess the incredible gift of communication. We have the power to shape narratives, challenge perceptions, and inspire action. Design amplifies marginalized voices, simplifies complex issues, and fosters empathy. It’s a responsibility I embrace.
GIVEN THE CONFLUENCE OF EVENTS AND CHALLENGES OUR SOCIETY NOW FACES, DOES THIS MOMENT PRESENT ANY SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES, URGENCIES, OBSTACLES TO DESIGNING FOR GOOD?
Our current moment — marked by climate crisis, global conflict, political upheaval and stark inequality — presents both urgent challenges and unique opportunities for design to drive positive change. Design can help educate and call for action, fostering much-needed dialogue in times of conflict.
During the pandemic and social unrest, I gave an agency-wide presentation showcasing the historical protest art that inspired me. It educated our team about the power of art during turbulent times, and served as a guide others used to jumpstart their own projects. Though challenges persist, designers have the power to envision and spark systemic change. This isn’t just an opportunity; it’s an urgent responsibility…
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