Mike Berkley

Founder and creative lead of an independent design and branding agency with 20+ years of experience partnering with both advertising agencies and direct clients. I’ve led brand identity, graphic design, and digital projects from initial strategy through execution—often acting as the bridge between clients, creative teams, and external partners. Comfortable wearing many hats, I bring a practical, collaborative approach to building smart, well-crafted work that solves real business problems.

Core Skills & Experience
• Lead brand identity development, visual systems, and overall creative direction
• Execute hands-on graphic design across print, digital, and experiential projects
• Partner with advertising agencies as an extension of their creative teams
• Manage and direct freelance designers, illustrators, and photographers
• Oversee projects from concept through final delivery, ensuring quality and consistency
• Collaborate closely with web developers, UX designers, and production vendors
• Lead client relationships, presentations, and ongoing account management
• Scope projects, develop estimates, and manage timelines and budgets
• Coordinate print production and vendor relationships from bidding through delivery
• Balance strategic thinking with execution, working comfortably at both levels

Led design efforts on digital-focused projects, including websites, mobile sites, iPad applications, and social media platforms, ensuring seamless user experiences and brand consistency.

Developed innovative digital solutions to enhance engagement and drive business objectives.

Worked on projects for Mercedes-Benz, Nike, Porsche, and ShopperTrak.

Concepted and executed both print and digital communications, with a strong focus on product launches and B2B marketing materials.

Developed compelling creative solutions to drive brand engagement and market impact.

Worked on projects for Cars.com, Grohe, and Dentsply.

Provided strategic direction as well as art direction to a wide variety of internal and external programs offered by Baxter Healthcare.

Developed creative strategies, concepts, and design solutions to support HBG clients, ensuring impactful brand messaging and visual storytelling.

Provided high-level design thinking and conceptual development to elevate client marketing and branding initiatives.

Worked with notable clients, including The University of Miami, Aramark, National Financial Partners, St. Vincent Healthcare, and The Harbin Clinic.

Designed and produced high-impact advertising and direct mail marketing materials, overseeing projects with print quantities exceeding 35 million.

Served as both Art Director and Production Manager, ensuring seamless execution from concept to final production.

Led creative direction and managed large-scale print campaigns for major brands, including Hyundai, Home Depot, and DIRECTV.

Led the design and execution of all graphic materials for a Non-Profit Youth Organization serving over 10,000 teams and 100,000 members, ensuring a strong and cohesive visual identity.

Served as Art Director for Cal South Magazine, overseeing creative direction, design, and production.

Managed the corporate website, optimizing user experience and brand consistency.

Collaborated on high-profile projects with Nike, Best Western, Fox Soccer Channel, ESPN, and The Los Angeles Galaxy to elevate brand visibility and engagement.

Designed and developed layouts for various marketing collateral, including brochures, mailers, packaging, and identity systems, ensuring cohesive and impactful visual communication.

Provided art direction for photo shoots and conducted press checks to maintain high-quality production standards.

Mentored company interns, fostering their professional growth and enhancing team collaboration.

Contributed to projects for prominent clients such as Target, 3M, Cargill, Marshall Fields, Merwin Drug, and BI Worldwide.