ABOUT
I'm a curious, passionate, collaborative, ego-less, hard-working, strategic-minded, idea-driven, detail-orientated, award-winning, creative craftsman. And a driven, trusting, transparent, even-keeled, open-minded, inclusive, empathetic, empowering creative leader. I have 20+ years experience in creative strategy and concepting, presenting and selling, executing and producing ideas that are timely, rooted in insights, and thoughtful in craft.
Simply put, I love what I do... Whether I have to go solo, with a partner or collaborating with a team, there is nothing like the excitement and positive energy with the teams I get to work with when we hit on a great platform idea that gets noticed, resonates with people, and gets results. I've been fortunate to have worked with global brands with massive budgets and local brands with no budgets. I've worked on viral videos, online content, webisodes, broadcast TV, every kind of print, out-of-home, digital, social, virtual reality, environmental, experiential installations, events, trade show booths, take-overs, countless design projects, and anything else wedged somewhere in between. I've even been able to spin out a few award-winning headlines in my career.
But there is nothing I like better than working on IDEAS.
I'm a curious, passionate, collaborative, ego-less, hard-working, strategic-minded, idea-driven, detail-orientated, award-winning, creative craftsman. And a driven, trusting, transparent, even-keeled, open-minded, inclusive, empathetic, empowering creative leader. I have 20+ years experience in creative strategy and concepting, presenting and selling, executing and producing ideas that are timely, rooted in insights, and thoughtful in craft.
Simply put, I love what I do... Whether I have to go solo, with a partner or collaborating with a team, there is nothing like the excitement and positive energy with the teams I get to work with when we hit on a great platform idea that gets noticed, resonates with people, and gets results. I've been fortunate to have worked with global brands with massive budgets and local brands with no budgets. I've worked on viral videos, online content, webisodes, broadcast TV, every kind of print, out-of-home, digital, social, virtual reality, environmental, experiential installations, events, trade show booths, take-overs, countless design projects, and anything else wedged somewhere in between. I've even been able to spin out a few award-winning headlines in my career.
But there is nothing I like better than working on IDEAS.
INTERESTS
The environment, ichthyology, traveling, sunsets, photography, great design (all forms), health & wellness, hiking, swimming, hockey, cars and (loud) music. I live in Wisconsin where my wife is a second grade teacher. Father of four beautiful daughters. Best friend of one great dog.
The environment, ichthyology, traveling, sunsets, photography, great design (all forms), health & wellness, hiking, swimming, hockey, cars and (loud) music. I live in Wisconsin where my wife is a second grade teacher. Father of four beautiful daughters. Best friend of one great dog.
RESUME
SHINE UNITED
MANAGING PARTNER / CREATIVE DIRECTOR
(Present) Pelican Cases, Destination Madison, University of Madison
MERIT
CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER / CREATIVE DIRECTOR
(Sept. '21 - Mar. '23) USX Cyber Security, Bejeti Wallets, TE Connectivity, Voith, BetterBricks
SHINE UNITED
MANAGING PARTNER / CREATIVE DIRECTOR
(Present) Pelican Cases, Destination Madison, University of Madison
MERIT
CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER / CREATIVE DIRECTOR
(Sept. '21 - Mar. '23) USX Cyber Security, Bejeti Wallets, TE Connectivity, Voith, BetterBricks
TRACTION FACTORY
EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR / CREATIVE DIRECTOR
(Mar. '17 - Sept. '21) Snap-on Tools, Lakefront Brewery, Olmsted Medical Center, ALS Association
LAUGHLIN CONSTABLE
CREATIVE DIRECTOR / ART DIRECTOR
(Mar. '12 - Mar. '17) Wisconsin Department of Tourism, Wisconsin Veterans Museum, El Camino Hospital, Palermo's Pizza, Aquity Insurance, Jeweler's Mutual Insurance
CRAMER KRASSELT
CREATIVE DIRECTOR / ART DIRECTOR
(Aug. '11 - Mar. '12) Porsche, Porsche, some Corona Beer, and more Porsche
MCGARRY BOWEN
CREATIVE DIRECTOR / ART DIRECTOR
(Mar. '08 - Apr. '11) Bud Light, Maxwell House, Advil, ThermaCare, Kraft Brands, ADM Food Processing
ELEMENT 79 (DDB)
ASSOC. CREATIVE DIRECTOR / ART DIRECTOR
(Jan. '02 - Feb. '08) Gatorade, Champion Sportswear, National Hockey League, Lowe's Home Improvement, Celebrity Cruises, Pepsico Brands, Quaker Brands, Life Cereal, Rice-A-Roni, Tropicana Orange Juice, Long John Silver's, Harris Bank, American Family Insurance
KOHNKE HANNEKEN
SR. ART DIRECTOR / DESIGNER
(1998 - 2002) YMCA, Sierra Club, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Brewing Co., Potowatomi Bingo & Casino, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, Alverno College, Eisner Advertising Museum
FREELANCE
(1998 - Present) Hard Rock Hotel, Sports Illustrated, Nike Golf, North Face, TBS, Gamestop, Rockwell Tools, WORX Tools, Snap-on Tools, Alvies Boot Co, John Deere
EDUCATION
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design: Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, Maj: Graphic Design, Min: Photography
EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR / CREATIVE DIRECTOR
(Mar. '17 - Sept. '21) Snap-on Tools, Lakefront Brewery, Olmsted Medical Center, ALS Association
LAUGHLIN CONSTABLE
CREATIVE DIRECTOR / ART DIRECTOR
(Mar. '12 - Mar. '17) Wisconsin Department of Tourism, Wisconsin Veterans Museum, El Camino Hospital, Palermo's Pizza, Aquity Insurance, Jeweler's Mutual Insurance
CRAMER KRASSELT
CREATIVE DIRECTOR / ART DIRECTOR
(Aug. '11 - Mar. '12) Porsche, Porsche, some Corona Beer, and more Porsche
MCGARRY BOWEN
CREATIVE DIRECTOR / ART DIRECTOR
(Mar. '08 - Apr. '11) Bud Light, Maxwell House, Advil, ThermaCare, Kraft Brands, ADM Food Processing
ELEMENT 79 (DDB)
ASSOC. CREATIVE DIRECTOR / ART DIRECTOR
(Jan. '02 - Feb. '08) Gatorade, Champion Sportswear, National Hockey League, Lowe's Home Improvement, Celebrity Cruises, Pepsico Brands, Quaker Brands, Life Cereal, Rice-A-Roni, Tropicana Orange Juice, Long John Silver's, Harris Bank, American Family Insurance
KOHNKE HANNEKEN
SR. ART DIRECTOR / DESIGNER
(1998 - 2002) YMCA, Sierra Club, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Brewing Co., Potowatomi Bingo & Casino, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, Alverno College, Eisner Advertising Museum
FREELANCE
(1998 - Present) Hard Rock Hotel, Sports Illustrated, Nike Golf, North Face, TBS, Gamestop, Rockwell Tools, WORX Tools, Snap-on Tools, Alvies Boot Co, John Deere
EDUCATION
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design: Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, Maj: Graphic Design, Min: Photography
ACCOLADES
Webby, One Show, CA Advertising Annual, CA Design Annual, CA Photo Annual, Cannes, Archive, Clios, Obies, United Adworkers Club Best of Show, Graphis Platinum, National Addy’s, Ad Age Top 10, Wall St. Journal, ESPN, Good Morning America, The Today Show, Ellen Degeneres Show, Donny Deutsch’s “Big Idea” and the prestigious “Playmaker of the Year” award for my hockey team.
Webby, One Show, CA Advertising Annual, CA Design Annual, CA Photo Annual, Cannes, Archive, Clios, Obies, United Adworkers Club Best of Show, Graphis Platinum, National Addy’s, Ad Age Top 10, Wall St. Journal, ESPN, Good Morning America, The Today Show, Ellen Degeneres Show, Donny Deutsch’s “Big Idea” and the prestigious “Playmaker of the Year” award for my hockey team.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
Steve is “one of the two best Art Directors in Chicago.”
— Marshall Ross, Chief Creative Officer, Cramer Krasselt
"Steve's work has been a constant source of inspiration. Big ideas, well made, with zero ego."
— Noel Hann, Executive Creative Officer, BBDO
Steve is "a true strategic partner who likes to dig in on the "whys" before he gets to work."
— Mark Carlson, Chief Strategy Officer, Laughlin Constable
Steve is “one of the two best Art Directors in Chicago.”
— Marshall Ross, Chief Creative Officer, Cramer Krasselt
"Steve's work has been a constant source of inspiration. Big ideas, well made, with zero ego."
— Noel Hann, Executive Creative Officer, BBDO
Steve is "a true strategic partner who likes to dig in on the "whys" before he gets to work."
— Mark Carlson, Chief Strategy Officer, Laughlin Constable
Steve Drifka is “the best Art Director in Milwaukee.”
— Rich Kohnke, Owner / Executive Creative Director, Kohnke Hanneken
"There is nobody, I mean nobody, as good as Steve. I wish we were working together again.”
— Rich Kohnke, Owner / Executive Creative Director, Kohnke Hanneken
"There is nobody, I mean nobody, as good as Steve. I wish we were working together again.”
— Ross Lowinske, Executive Creative Director, Laughlin Constable
"I still don't really know what Steven does... I think he draws pictures all day."
— Brigitte Drifka, Mom
— Brigitte Drifka, Mom
