Home: Savannah, GA. Profession: Brand strategy and creative direction. Organization: Michael Mikulec LLC. Title: Founder, Principal, Brand Strategist and Creative Director. Alma mater: Yale University (MFA); Savannah College of Art and Design (BFA). Languages spoken: English, Polish and conversational Italian.
Current project: Building a brand strategy practice for entertainment clients and founders in emerging categories while writing American Alchemy. Recent recognition: Sports Emmy Award, Outstanding Promo — Fox Sports. Recent professional development: Expanding from creative direction into brand strategy and advisory work. Latest accomplishment: Launching American Alchemy. Latest contribution to others: Led and funded a volunteer team that designed and painted a mural for Greenbriar Children's Center in Savannah. What's been your big (or biggest) leap? Leaving a department chair position at SCAD to return to independent practice.
Personality profile: Curious, intense and observant. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Loyal. Moral compass: Would I be proud to explain it to my son? How do you define a perfect friendship? Honesty without performance. The ones who tell you the truth. What is your greatest joy? The moment an idea becomes clear—in writing, design or conversation. What natural talent have you neglected? Screenwriting. What is at the top of your bucket list? Studying film at the Łódź Film School. How do you relieve stress? Long walks with a camera.
What was your first paying job? My dad's TV shop at age eleven. What was your favorite college course? Media theory seminar at Yale. What book have you repeatedly read? The Arcades Project, by Walter Benjamin. What's prominently featured on your home or office wall? A Marcus Kenney painting of astronauts walking through a farm. What's the best advice you received growing up? Never forget where you came from. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? AI. What is your go-to source of news and information? The New York Times, The Economist and The Onion.
What is your big idea?
Algorithmic personalization fractures shared reality and deepens political division.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Erase the line between strategist and maker. What message do you want to send out into the world? Learn to tell the difference between what's credible and what only looks credible. What widely held belief do you reject? That design confers credibility.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Frame by Frame. What actor would you choose to play you? Adrien Brody or Sam Rockwell. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My mother. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A writer. What advice would you give your younger self? Don't mistake exhaustion for progress. And take the leap before you feel ready. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? The day my son was born.
Personal mission: To build clarity where things are still unformed through strategy, design and writing. Personal motto: Simplicity takes work. Favorite quote: "Our greatest fears lie in anticipation" (Honoré de Balzac). Desired epitaph: He spent his life looking for the right language. These words were probably too final for his taste.
