Michael Michalski

COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO (CCC)

Michael Michalski was raised in Detroit MI, and is a designer and student at Columbia College Chicago. Michael works in all mediums and see’s the value of design in music, film, tattoos, everything. One of Michaels’s greatest strengths is championing his peers. He cultivates a rich environment of compelling students to push each other and bring forth excellent work. Michael aspires to become a candidate at a graduate design program, and hopes to teach and run a design department of his own one day. He likes to attend live music and take photos with his Polaroid camera when he’s not designing.

IF YOU COULD HAVE COFFEE WITH ANY HISTORICAL FIGURE, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

The historical figure I would want to have coffee with is Samuel Steward. Steward was a history professor turned tattoo artist who documented queer street gangs at the lowest and roughest social levels. He was influential within Chicago queer culture, and I have an eagle design of his tattooed on me. In this fantasy interview, I get tattooed by Steward and see his Polaroid photography.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOUR TIME IN DESIGN SCHOOL HAS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU DIDN’T EXPECT?

I have learned that every project is an opportunity to put thoughtful design out into the world. Everything you design should be something you want to hang on your wall.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

There are so many great shows out right now. Currently, I’m watching Arcane and Super Crooks on Netflix. John Rechy’s City of Night is in my backpack, and I’m currently listening to Bicep and Gilligan Moss in my headphones.