Meet Mike Merrill | Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mike Merrill and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mike, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Have you heard of the saying no risk, no reward? I wouldn’t be where I am today without taking risks.

You have to take risks in todays world, not all go the way you want but you have to be willing to try and they can be great learning experiences as well. I’ve always been a planner and an orchestrator when it comes to creative projects and getting them done in a timely manner. I think Applying what Ive learned through taking risks has helped me be a better professional and Its also helped me ask the right questions during introductions and meetings as Ive learned from experience what to ask and to avoid as much back and forth / unnecessary communication as possible.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
For me it started in high school with drawing and making shirts to match sneakers. After graduation I decided to go to Art school for graphic design. Learning numerous methods of this field has embodied me with a diverse understanding of the broad term known as “Graphic Design”.

While in college I worked for two marketing companies and a screen printer. This hands on experience was very helpful as I got my associates degree and continued with my bachelors. I was really passionate about making shirts as it was fun and I enjoyed the hands on aspect of it from start to finish to being proud of that final product that you could literally wear.

After Graduation I worked for another marketing company and remained there for four years. This particular company focused on print & promotional products for companies in the Fort Lauderdale Area. I planned on coaching youth basketball in China full time but due to some Notary issues and Covid it did not go as planned.

I ended up working some retail jobs while freelancing before getting back into the field at a car wrap company. Learning other methods such as vinyl, print and cut and large format printing. This was a no brainer for me since It was a new area I could learn and acquire under my belt. I have been working as a Sr. Designer & Content Creator with a wide range of responsibilities since then.

On top of my current Marketing Manager job I also Freelance and handle Creative Direction and Project Management for Cave Creative. Freelance work comes and goes and Id really like to work for myself full time but I’m just not there yet client wise. With low price competition such as fiver etc. its hard to compete when you charge a certain price with some of these platforms. I have been around photography video and design for 15 years now and I’m not going to be the cheapest but I will charge an honest fair amount for my work. One of my specialties is branding as I love the process from start to finish.

With Cave Creative, my goal is to provide multiple services to people and businesses in advertising, print and digital spaces. I sort of want to be a one stop shop so you don’t need to go to multiple places. We would do most projects in house and also Hire contractors when necessary with us handling project management. I also want to work with interns as well that are currently in design programs for school so we give them experience while constantly having new workers available to us when needed. This is the broader Vision but right now its just me and a few people I have when Needed. Id really like to get more clients to help the brand grow and eventually possibly be able to work for myself.

Im still faced with challenges today as you can see nothing is perfect right off the bat. Im constantly learning and trying new things to help grow but it starts with clients and the work. The current state of the economy and after covid hasn’t necessarily helped freelance work as everyone is being very cautious with money and with social media it seems like a lot of people are trying to start the same kind of business so most of the time they don’t stand out.

I also make music under the name Partial Print so Im extremely passionate about creating, expression and connecting with people. I have a new EP titled Love Hurts that I plan to release later this year along with a music video and some other songs after that. Right now Im juggling everything and barely have time for myself so time management is crucial. Blocking time off and checking things off the list each week and continuously staying on top of things so I stay on schedule has been a challenge.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ive been trying to get my cousin to come down to Florida from Boston for a while.

I’d take him to some of my fav food spots one in Davie, FL called Los Paisanos and another Thai Restaurant called Larb Thai, Id probably Spend a little time around Lauderdale Beach and maybe hit up sawgrass mills mall and make our way towards Miami for Wynwood and Coyo Taco, Hotline Boba or even club space or tootsies haha. You can always bar hop in Laudy or Wynwood. After that Id probably head over to Naples and show him over here where I currently Live. Id take him to Marias Tacos and probably get a work out in at La Fitness and depending on the time of year we could catch a sports event wether it be a red sox spring training game or the city of palms classic they do every year. There isn’t much going on in Naples, to be honest its basically a big retirement home.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d just want to say thank you to any Freelance Client Ive ever had for believing in me and trusting me with their vision. On top of that my parents for raising me right and teaching me to be responsible. Ive worked a lot of crappy jobs over the years but some of my retail jobs have given me a different perspective on design from a consumer standpoint so we can thank them as well.

Website: https://dribbble.com/mikemerrilldesign

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cavecreative/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-merrill-34127682/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iampartialprint

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@partialprintmusic/videos?view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=4

Other: https://partial-print.tumblr.com

Image Credits
Photography By Jamiel Betancourt, Jermaine Young