CREATIVE MANAGER, GIANT EAGLE, PITTSBURGH PA
Nick Comack is an award winning designer and mentor with more than 25 years of experience building brands and developing market presence. His ever-searching, never settling spirit has led to a background full of well-known regional and national companies: among them FedEx Ground, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Giant Eagle -his current home. Clearly ‘in-house’ is his passion. Through storytelling and working so close to the client, Nick is uniquely situated to deliver campaigns that grab attention, drive sales and maintain a positive position for his clients in the mind of the customer. The strong relationships he’s established over the years have enabled him to offer perspectives on brands previously unrealized or underdeveloped. He believes ‘in-house’ is the way to go to maintain consistency, provide thoughtful brand evolution and deliver kick-ass creative. In 2018, he and his inhouse team were honored with several design awards from GDUSA.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
Born in Wheeling WV and currently living in Cranberry Twp. PA just north of Pittsburgh PA. Did you go to design school and, if so, which one? La Roche College
LEFTY OR RIGHTY?
Right handed, left footed
MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?
Night, definitely
FICTIONAL OR HISTORICAL CHARACTER YOU IDENTIFY WITH?
Not that I can think of.
ARE YOU MUSICAL AND/OR PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?
Nothing more than keeping time tapping my foot.
FAVORITE BOOK?
Watership Down, and Franny and Zooey
FAVORITE MOVIE?
Anything black and white, anything Alfred Hitchcock, anything with The Duke.
FAVORITE TV BINGE WATCH?
House of Cards
FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM?
Instagram
FAVORITE PODCAST?
McSoss – check it out!
FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?
Pearlstein, Kuksi, Close, Pollock, Schmiedlin, Van Gogh
FAVORITE CHARITY OR CAUSE?
The Humane Society
FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY?
Listening to my kids talk about anything.
COLLECT ANYTHING?
Vintage Polaroid cameras
WHICH AREA OF GRAPHIC DESIGN IS GROWING THE MOST?
Wish it was print. So much more interesting. Definitely the digital medias though.
DESIGN MENTOR/INSPIRATION/HERO?
I find inspiration from talking to my kids. Their thoughts, ideas, likes. What do they want to do/be when they grow up.
GREATEST STRENGTH/WEAKNESS AS A DESIGNER?
Strength – Growing up learning the ‘old ways’. Weakness – Trying to get younger designers to slow down and think.
ADVICE TO A YOUNG DESIGNER JUST STARTING OUT?
Don’t try to change the world in a day.
IF YOU WERE NOT A DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
Custom café racer designer/fabricator/racer
A MANTRA OR SAYING YOU LIVE BY?
“Idle hands are the Devil’s workshop.”
