We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Michael Glowacki. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Michael below.

Alright, Michael thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

Originally, I just went by my name, but with a hard to pronounce polish last name “Glowacki” I wanted to go by a moniker that would be easier for folks to remember. In graduate school I created an art piece of a functional exit sign that looked exactly like a normal white boxed exist sign with red lettering, but it said “EXIST” instead of “EXIT.” The piece was inspired by a Modest Mouse song titled “Exit does not Exist.” I like the idea of having a moniker for my freelance graphic design business that acts as a mantra for the mission of my creative career. I interpret the phrase “Exit does not Exist” as mantra to keep moving towards the final goal of a project. It also acts as a reminder for me to share my work or put creative work out into the community at a dedicated steady rate. Additionally, I think the name EXIST encompasses what I love doing for clients. Helping others exist in their community through what they are passionate for.

Michael, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a Professor of Graphic Design and the Art and Design Program Coordinator at Delta college. I have been in that position close to fifteen years now. While teaching I also run a one-person freelance graphic design business called EXIST Design Studio. Through EXIST a create graphic design work for a wide range of clients. My focus and passion are creating work for mid range to start up businesses. My expertise is in logo design, branding, and illustration though I do create websites and many other elements required for clients. I am equally passionate to share my knowledge with students as I am with clients.

What may set me apart from others is being sole owner I offer clients a personal one on one process of identifying what they need and envision as a graphic representation of their business. Also, my position as Professor allows me to choose the work I take on. That said, though I do get paid for my expertise as all creatives should accordingly, I offer an open communication process with clients regarding cost, creative process, and recommendations if I am not the right fit for their current graphic needs.

In the end my goal with any client I create work for is to make them feel excited that their venture is coming to fruition visually. Through a series of questions and multiple rounds of designs my job is to create something the client is not only happy with but also is functional, effective, and accurate for what it is going to be representing.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

This is a simple answer. Creating solid work clients are happy with has been the best source of new clients. It took maybe three to five years to create a steady stream of work coming in, but I think creating good work, being reliable, on time, going above and beyond, and fair/open with cost has led to past clients referring me to their colleagues which I am so very grateful for. I would also add that doing pro bono work for nonprofit causes I whole heartedly believe in has also sometimes led to new clients unintentionally.

I have not had much luck with job boards it really has been all referral-based growth.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

There are many resources out there for the business side of being a creative which is a necessary skill anyone needs to develop if they want to support their life through their artistic passions. Though I am confident in my process I am always learning new techniques, evaluating my workflow, and staying inquisitive to keep with the evolving industry. There are too many resources I have used to list, but here are some I think are invaluable and cover the extremely vast aspects of the business of being a creative in well curated effective manner.

The Graphic Artists Guild Handbook is an amazing resource covering everything from copyright issues, trademark issues, and pricing guidelines. https://graphicartistsguild.org/the-graphic-artists-guild-handbook-pricing-ethical-guidelines/

The amazing designer, letterer, illustrator, and author Jessica Hische has a superb purchasable PDF called, “The Dark Art of Creative

Business” https://jessicahische.shop/collections/pdfs

The Design Studio Hoodzpah has an invaluable online course called “Freelance and Business and Stuff.” https://www.freelanceandbusiness.com/course

For graphic designers I would recommend joining your local AIGA American Institute of Graphic Arts chapter if you have one.

Lastly, I have compiled a large list of resources on my website for anyone to check out.
www.existdesignstudio.com/helpful-things

Contact Info:

• Website: hello@existdesignstudio.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/existdesign/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/existdesignstudio
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/mglowacki/