Dak Dillon

PRINCIPAL & CREATIVE DIRECTOR, HUB & SPOKE, ST. LOUIS MO

Dak Dillon is part entrepreneur, part visual thinker, combining his interests of design, architecture and photography into multiple design-driven ventures. His primary agency, Hub & Spoke, works on projects ranging from traditional design deliverables like branding and ad campaigns to unique web problem-solving. Working with mainly non-profits and associations, Hub & Spoke provides a solid foundation for those working to improve their community and surroundings. Dak also works in the world of experiential design, crafting visual narratives for interiors and broadcast spaces including recent work with multiple NFL teams, popular tech brands and Fortune 500 companies. Through Unified Studio, Dak is able to shed the traditional limitations of design to create spaces that connect with audiences while fostering brand engagement. Outside of design, Dak is managing editor of NewscastStudio, a trade publication covering the creative side of tv production.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
Midwest-born and raised – in what folks like to call flyover country. Still based in St. Louis but traveling often across the country.

DID YOU GO TO DESIGN SCHOOL?
My degree is actually in photojournalism from the University of Missouri School of Journalism, but that strong sense of visual is tied into most of my projects.

LEFTY OR RIGHTY?
Depends on the day … oh did you mean my hands?

MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?
100% night owl. The best design is concept- ualized far past midnight. But maybe I’m just always on international hours.

FICTIONAL OR HISTORICAL CHARACTER YOU IDENTIFY WITH?
Harvey Birdman?

ARE YOU MUSICAL AND/OR PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?
Does humming count?

FAVORITE BOOK?
Well, ‘Civil Aircraft Today’ probably isn’t the right answer for this list… so ‘Symbol’ by Angus Hyland and Steven Bateman.

FAVORITE MOVIE?
Used to be the Bond franchise, but who has time anymore…

FAVORITE TV BINGE WATCH?
Arrested Development

FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM?
Instagram. But I’m too picky about curating pics to actually use it for posting much anymore so now I just share photos from my Hasselblad when I get around to it.

FAVORITE PODCAST?
Usually anything with Kara Swisher. I like the no-BS style.

FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?
Who doesn’t enjoy a good Gerhard Richter painting or Richard Serra sculpture? We have three large-scale Serra works in St. Louis.

FAVORITE CHARITY OR CAUSE?
The Trevor Project

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY?
Napping

COLLECT ANYTHING?
Old cameras

WHICH AREA OF GRAPHIC DESIGN IS GROWING THE MOST?
Design surrounds us and now, more than ever, experience and storytelling are a huge part of the equation.

DESIGN MENTOR/INSPIRATION/HERO?
Always enjoyed the work of David Klein.

GREATEST STRENGTH/WEAKNESS AS A DESIGNER?
I can stretch myself a bit too thin at times – overcommitment.

ADVICE TO A YOUNG DESIGNER JUST STARTING OUT?
Take risks. Brands are changing and looking far away from their old fallbacks and positions. They now have a voice, a viewpoint… and with each view comes the opportunity for a unique take on design.

IF YOU WERE NOT A DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
Probably stuck in middle management somewhere.

A MANTRA OR SAYING YOU LIVE BY?
“The best is always yet to come.”

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