Michael

Visual Designer, Photographer

Den Haag, The Netherlands

$ 95

/ hour

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Bio

Grown up in the heights of the Austrian foothills, living in the depths of the Netherlands. Technically, you can call me an interdisciplinary creative - but photographer and graphic designer goes easier with my relatives. After studying in Austria and Ireland, I am now on the boat of Studio Piraat in the Netherlands, a crew of ambitious designers and strategists. There, I got to love creating brands for passionate people - helping them to bring their business out into the ocean. Besides that, I have been working as a freelance photographer for multiple years now. Creating authentic portraits and convincing corporate imagery proved to get me excited over and over again. My mind constantly scans its environment for the right perspective and dances imaginary Beziér-curve-tango. And if not, then I‘m probably planning my next journey or I‘m wondering which cheese I should devour next. Never without (fishy) humour, always trying to go the extra (sea-)mile.

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Work Experience

Freelance

Photographer

2014-to date

Graz, Austria - Den Haag, The Netherlands

Studio Piraat

Junior Designer

2018-2019

Den Haag, The Netherlands

Studio Piraat

Medior Designer

2014-to date

Graz, Austria - Den Haag, The Netherlands

University

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Skills

- Brand Design, Editorial Design - Art Direction- Photography (Portrait, Wedding, Travel & Commercial)- Languages: German (native), English (C1-C2), Dutch (C1)- ICMA Award in Silver for the event logo of the Invictus Games 2021- Drivers license (category B in Austria)

You should pick me becuase

My humorous, playful nature frequently triggers ideas, my (stubborn) drive helps me to put those ideas into practise. With the bigger picture in mind, I don’t mind getting my hands dirty whenever necessary. This combination, I believe, is the precondition to grow and succeed in the creative world.

Why are you interested in this opportunity?

What are you looking to gain from an opportunity like this?

What would be your goals after completing this engagement?

4. How did you hear about wgi?

Share an example of a time you were most motivated and a time you were most demotivated.

In your opinion, what creates a great culture at a company?

What brands and companies do you admire and why?

What do you do to stay sharp and improve your craft?

What’s your favorite quote?

10. If you could solve one problem in the world what would it be?

You should select me because

Why are you interested in this opportunity?

What are you looking to gain from an opportunity like this?

What would be your goals after completing this engagement?

4. How did you hear about wgi?

Share an example of a time you were most motivated and a time you were most demotivated.

In your opinion, what creates a great culture at a company?

What brands and companies do you admire and why?

What do you do to stay sharp and improve your craft?

What’s your favorite quote?

10. If you could solve one problem in the world what would it be?

What's the most courageous thing you've ever done?

It always takes courage when you confront yourself with a new, unfamiliar situation - no matter how small they seem for others. So, I guess it was when 10-year-old Michael did that for the first time and decided not go to middle school in his village. Instead, he went to a town further away where he didn’t know anyone.

How are creativity and innovation related?

Bluntly, I think we call something an innovation when a creative venture is taken seriously and proofs to be working. This would mean that something ground-breaking needs a preceding creative process (deliberately or not) to become an innovation

Why do companies need clarity and creativity?

If there is no clarity within a business, nobody knows what they are on about or why they even exist. This includes a clear vision and mission as well as transparent communication, internally and externally. On the other hand, business would just go on usual until dust covers the desks if there is no creativity that sparks innovation.

You have 30 minutes of free time. What do you do with it?

First, having a cheese sandwich. Afterwards, I try to chase the thoughts that are going through my head at that moment. This might involve reading a book or the news, having conversation about a specific topic or scrolling through the Wikipedia article about Georgian dumplings because of an ad I’ve seen earlier. Those are also the moments, when ideas slowly turn into plans.

What is one risky and bold goal in life you have? Or, if you could dedicate your life to solving one problem, what would it be?

Bringing people together - in the broadest sense. On a small scale, this can be about making friends acquainted or playing cupid (with success already). The bigger picture involves helping to rise mutual respect and understanding in our society. An honest dialogue is able to prevent conflicts that origin from narrow-minded, selfish, racist, or ignorant views. And, I believe that we creatives have great responsibility in encouraging and sustaining this dialogue.

Explain your creative process

1) Get to know the people involved in the project. 2) Dive into the matter and do research 3) Let the results sink in while jogging, showering or travelling 4) Make ideas concrete / visualize them. 5) Refine. 6) Present and discuss. 7) Refine. 8) Launch the work. 9) Get drunk. 10) Refine further.

What is the best advice that you have been given?

“When you want to hurry something, that means you no longer care about it and want to get on to other things.”

What is your definition of creativity?

In contrast to the general opinion in my home town, I don’t believe that creativity only belongs to Bob Ross imitators or to women in their 40s who rediscover their love for arts and crafts. I rather think that everyone who approaches a problem or a topic from a different point of view may be called creative. It’s about twisting and turning something around until you gain new perspectives and (in best case) solutions to improve it.

What 10 songs are on your favorite playlist right now?

Territory, The Blaze Test & Recognise, Flume, Seekae Madness, Weval Jupiters, Four Tet Maybes, Mount Kimbie Adeline, Alt-J The Fool you need, Son Lux Galaxy Surfing, Jadu Heart Powerlines, Tame Impala This must be the place, Talking Heads i

How do you want people to remember you?

“Do you know Michael?” “You mean the one that laughs like a tractor?” “Yeah, that’s a guy I’d really like to go for a beer with after work.” “True, I think I would also ask him to take care of my cats while I’m on vacation. Seems like a reliable dude.”

Have you been convicted of a crime and/or a felony? If so, what was the offense? State the city, country, and date.