Hi, my name is Mike Silcher. I am a creative professional based out of Santa Cruz, California with over two decades of experience, I am recognized for my expertise in developing visually compelling and cohesive brand identities for diverse clients, from startups to established corporations. My work spans various industries, including action sports and professional photography. I have meticulous attention to detail, consistently delivering exceptional results, establishing me as a prominent figure in the creative field.

My roles have involved various responsibilities, including conceptual development and final production. I have designed magazine advertisements, created cohesive branding components, and developed exhibition displays. Additionally, I supervise the production of annual product catalogs and promotional flyers, collaborating with staff photographers to refine the creative direction of product imagery and ensure the effectiveness of the photographic results.

Focusing primarily on marketing strategies within action sports, photography, and retail, I work closely with the Vice President of Marketing and the Production Manager to coordinate the creative team. This collaboration includes liaising with photographers and vendors to produce high-quality brand imagery for print and digital platforms.

With a strong emphasis on innovation and quality, I effectively address client needs while engaging target audiences. I navigate projects from initial concepts to final execution, showcasing my passion for creativity throughout the process. My reliability in delivering projects on schedule enhances my reputation as an essential contributor within any team.

About Me

I have a diverse range of interests that I highly value outside of my professional life. My relationships with family and friends are my top priority, and I strive to maintain my independence.

I enjoy surfing and deep-sea fishing, which allow me to connect with the ocean on a deeper level. I also love outdoor exploration, including hiking and camping. Having traveled to over thirteen countries, I have developed a profound appreciation for various cultures, geological landscapes, arts and crafts, wildlife, and unique cuisines. I enjoy capturing the beauty of the world through photography.

I grew up in a surrounding that introduced and influenced me to all types of music, art, theater, design, photography, architecture, interior design, technology, and extreme sports. I am an adrenaline seeker and dedicated explorer, ready to embrace risks and tackle challenges that push me beyond conventional experiences. I approach life with passion and mindfulness, driven by curiosity while balancing strong opinions with open-mindedness. Influenced by the generational context of my time and those of earlier and later eras, I have cultivated a deep desire for progress that significantly shapes my identity and motivates me to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

My Mission

As a Senior Graphic Designer and Creative Director, I aim to harness original creativity and innovative strategies while maintaining the highest quality standards to achieve exceptional results. Establishing a brand is a complex process that requires unwavering dedication, enthusiasm, and drive—essential elements for elevating a brand to a leading position in its industry and ensuring its long-term success.

As a leader and collaborator, I bring the strategic insight and technical knowledge necessary to achieve our goals. I believe in leveraging collaborative efforts to advance our initiatives and ensure each project yields a unique result. Let’s work together to transform our conceptual frameworks into tangible realities.

Graphic Production Artist (Flex)

Hogarth Worldwide | Sunnyvale, CA

April 2025 – Present

As a Graphic Production Artist (Flex) at Hogarth Worldwide, I specialize in using Photoshop for website and in-store production. My responsibilities include supporting interactive projects while adhering to strict production standards that focus on resolution and output for localization. This role requires meticulous attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to meet tight deadlines without compromising image quality. I ensure consistency in accuracy within imagery, which guarantees timely project completion and precise file handoffs for localization, working closely with the Graphic Production team.

Senior Graphic Designer | Creative Director

MS Designs (Self-Employed) | Santa Cruz, CA

April 2023 – April 2025

As a Senior Graphic Designer and Creative Director, I engage deeply with clients to refine and elevate their brand identity. My professional focus spans various projects, including brand design, art directing product and lifestyle photography, strategic advertising campaigns, retail and trade show signage, packaging design, and developing print and digital marketing collateral. I manage the entire design process, from initial conceptualization to final production, ensuring a cohesive and impactful brand presence in the marketplace. My role encompasses comprehensive oversight of design elements and art direction to optimize visual communication and brand strategy.

Senior Graphic Designer

Bay Photo Lab (Sensaria) | Scotts Valley, CA

February 2013 – July 2014 | October 2019 – March 2023 (4 years 1 month)

As the Senior Designer at Bay Photo Lab, I rebranded to raise the visibility of one of the top Professional Photo Labs in the US, marketing to Wedding, Portrait, and Nature Professional Photographers. This included projects from initial concept creation to final execution, applying to magazine advertisements, cohesive branding, and displays for multi-scaled trade show exhibits with coordinated collateral, annual product catalogs, and promotional flyers. Art Directing assistance with the staff photographers to organize the creative strategy of the stylization of products (Metal Prints, Acrylic Prints, Wood Prints, Framed Prints) ensured the team succeeded in ”getting the shot.”

Senior Graphic Designer

O’Neill Wetsuits LLC. | Santa Cruz, CA

July 2005 – January 2009 | February 2009 – May 2010 | August 2014 – October 2019 (10 years)

As the Senior Graphic Designer for O’Neill Wetsuits, my creativity targeted the Surfing, Wakeboarding, and Stand-Up Paddling industries. I was responsible for the annual product catalogs, ad concepts, and execution of the marketing campaigns, seasonal hangtags, and interior/exterior point-of-purchase for the brand. I worked one-on-one with the VP of Marketing Communications and directly with our Production Manager to schedule and assign tasks to the creative staff. I used photographers and other outside vendors as needed to meet all deadlines and produce top-level imagery/branding.

Junior Graphic Designer

Nordic Naturals | Watsonville, CA

July 2011 – February 2013 (1 year 7 months)

As an in-house Junior Graphic Designer for Nordic Naturals, a leading brand in the Omega-3 Fish Oil brand, I managed a diverse range of design initiatives. My role encompassed the entire design workflow, from ideation to execution. I developed magazine advertisements and in-store and trade show signage that effectively communicated brand messaging. Additionally, I designed packaging displays and catalogs, focusing on usability and consumer education. I also produced promotional materials for events and various print collateral to inform retail customers, healthcare professionals, and patients about our products and their benefits.

Education

Certificate in Desktop Publishing and Multimedia

Cabrillo College | Aptos, CA

January 1996 – June 1999

Skills and Expertise Overview

– Maintaining brand consistency across all marketing projects.

– Developing creative designs to convey ideas and promote products effectively.

– Utilizing typography and photography techniques efficiently.

– Creating original artworks such as illustrations and infographics.

– Enhancing images, fonts, and layouts using graphic design software.

– Improving user experience in digital products.

– Keeping up-to-date with industry trends and technology.

– Managing design projects from concept to delivery.

– Reviewing work to ensure high-quality standards.

– Coordinating with marketing and design teams to meet project deadlines.