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Hello, Hello - My name is Dan Garzi, I’m a collaborative Design Lead with a strong eye for design and over 13 years of experience specializing in mentoring junior designers, building creative strategies in service of business goals, and building frictionless workflows for creative teams. I have a proven ability to both jumpstart small brands from scratch and refine larger, active brand identities. I am an expert in all facets of visual design with an emphasis on design systems, content creation, motion graphic principles, and brand identity. I provide a unique perspective and clear communication to foster meaningful dialogue on often-overlooked topics.
What words of advice would you give your younger self?
Pursue your passions sooner: Don't be afraid to follow your heart and do what makes you happy. Life is short, and it's important to do what you love.
What's the most creative thing you've ever done?
Starting my own studio art practice, creating artwork to show and sell at craft fairs around San Francisco.
What's your super power?
Telling brand stories through motion, animation, and design.
What aspects of your work are you most passionate about?
While I've always enjoyed the creative process and generating new ideas, lately I have found that building strong relationships with teammates and mentoring junior designers has become a greater source of fulfillment for me.
What was the most impactful class you took in school?
Drawing & Painting in high school. It was my first exposure to the world of graphic design as a creative industry and it completely captured my imagination from that moment on. So much so that I switched my major from Architecture to Design.
Hidden Power:
A knack for delivering clear, constructive, and actionable creative feedback with kindness.
Biggest Achievement:
Founding and growing my own small design business and building evergreen client relationships.
In my free time:
You might find me in my art studio drawing and painting.
What's the most useful business-related book you've ever read?
Design Leadership: How Top Design Leaders Build and Grow Successful Organizations.
What's your favorite non-business book?
A book that I often find myself daydreaming about, even years after reading it, is "Dhalgren" by Samuel R. Delany. It's a complex and mind-bending novel that explores a loop of shifting realities and fragmented identities in a post-apocalyptic city.
If money were not an issue, what would you be doing right now?
Running a start-up for one of the hundreds of creative ideas I have 😅.
CLIENTS
Intercom
Glassdoor
HiRoad Assurance (Blueowl)
Course Hero
Resilio, Inc
Issuu
OpenTable
Marin French Cheese
Gatorade
Reebok
Safeway
Target Up&Up
SC Johnson
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Lipton
EDUCATION
B.F.A. Graphic Design
School of Art and Design
SUNY Purchase 2009