CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, SOULSIGHT, CHICAGO IL
As Chief Executive Officer of Soulsight, George works with his partners, Jim Pietruszynski and Adam Ferguson, to bring a balanced versatility to agency and partnership development. A talented design thinker with keen strategic savvy, he helps keep Soulsight’s business objectives, vision, and mission on point, with a powerful creative bond and strength of leadership. With an undergraduate degree at St. Norbert College and post graduate studies at both the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Yale School of Management as part of the AIGA Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders program, George’s multifaceted approach helps him uncover opportunities for Soulsight to extend their existing partnerships, forge fresh relationships, and drive new business. George is known to push brands to strengthen the consumer experience through strategic insight, and he has brought visual clarity and holistic strategic insight to many iconic global brands like Pepsi, Campbell’s, Hershey’s, and MillerCoors. George has earned recognition for his work from Pentawards, London International, and Cannes Lion with a Titanium nomination.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
I was born in Chicago and still currently live there.
DID YOU GO TO DESIGN SCHOOL?
I received my undergrad degree in Graphic Communication from St. Norbert College.
LEFTY OR RIGHTY?
Righty
MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?
I’m shot out of a cannon in the morning.
FICTIONAL OR HISTORICAL CHARACTER YOU IDENTIFY WITH?
Huckleberry Finn, whose urge to explore freely is nearly as strong as mine.
ARE YOU MUSICAL AND/OR PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?
I’m a self-taught awful pianist and even worse guitarist, but my family seems to enjoy the effort.
FAVORITE BOOK?
Anything written by O. Henry
FAVORITE MOVIE?
Breaking Away is the sweetest movie I’ve ever come across about a family that’s nothing like mine but it hits me in the right spot.
FAVORITE TV BINGE WATCH?
I can go down a YouTube vortex like a fiend, but I can’t seem to find the time (or patience) for a series these days.
FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM?
Instagram. Quick inspiration without the drama.
FAVORITE PODCAST?
RadioLab. It’s like overhearing a conversation between two very smart people who don’t always have the answer. One of them invariably asks the ‘so what does that mean?’ question, just as I’m thinking it.
FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?
Constantin Brâncusi. His work has always amazed me.
FAVORITE CHARITY OR CAUSE?
Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation
FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY?
Watching my children do everything better than I ever did, could, can.
COLLECT ANYTHING?
Experts. I collect experts of all sorts, whether they know it or not.
WHICH AREA OF GRAPHIC DESIGN IS GROWING THE MOST?
Experiential Design is currently thriving.
DESIGN MENTOR/INSPIRATION/HERO?
I’ve always loved Saul Bass’ work and found it inspirational on many levels.
GREATEST STRENGTH/WEAKNESS AS A DESIGNER?
For good or for bad, I’m a ‘first answer is the best answer’ kind of guy.
ADVICE TO A YOUNG DESIGNER JUST STARTING OUT?
Your professional success hinges on your ability to check your ego.
IF YOU WERE NOT A DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
An elementary school art teacher.
A MANTRA OR SAYING YOU LIVE BY?
“Everything in moderation, including moderation.”
