Michael Janiak, Co-Founder and Executive Creative Director of Pattern, was interviewed on Mission Matters Marketing Podcast by Adam Torres and talks about about how skate, snow and surf culture influences him as a creative, how he started Pattern and intentionally designed the company culture from day one, what it’s like working with founder-led brands and how he leverages shared values with Patterns clients to create brand identities and digital experiences for mission-driven organizations.
On starting Pattern
Michael shares that he was interested in drawing as a kid, and that instinct grew into a love of graphic design when he was first exposed to it through skateboarding and snowboarding. In high school, he joined a graphic design program where he first learned PhotoShop, and after that, there was no turning back.
“That was kind of where the passion for design and visual language—being able to shape people’s feelings or perception of something with art—that’s really where that happened to me,” he says.
A 3rd generation American with an entrepreneurial streak, he says a passion for building businesses was passed down through his family. Today, he’s been working in design for over 20 years with time spent in New York, Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Over time, his deep experience in digital marketing, campaigns, print design, corporate branding, and eCommerce led to a business partnership with Pattern co-founder Isaac Newton.
On working with founders
For founders wishing to grow their brands, Janiak suggests focusing on making products that people appreciate. Rather than overdoing anything, he says, brands should ask customers what they’re looking for and respond in kind. As for working with founders, he says trust is key and can take time to build. There’s an art to visualizing a founder’s ideas through design, giving them what they want, and making it the best possible version of itself. That process can be iterative, he notes, and when executed well, can result in something above and beyond the founder’s initial hopes and expectations.
On what’s next
The past year brought with it a wave of accolades for Pattern, including a Webby nomination and an eCommerce agency category win at the Shopify Commerce Awards.
Looking ahead, Michael says Pattern will keep offering and evolving its knowledge of brand identity, eCommerce experience design, and product & platform design, along with scaling into new offerings related to UX and UI design for web3, NFTs, and the metaverse. The team plans to continue growing in size while focusing on its core expertise, with an eye toward working with more startups as well as established brands.
About Mission Matters
Mission Matters amplifies stories for Entrepreneurs, Executives and Experts. Host and Co Founder, Adam Torres hosts 8 shows and has interviewed 4,000+ guests in under 5 years. At the heart of the brand is a mission to help leaders cut through the noise.
About Pattern
Pattern is a digital design & e-commerce agency that helps brands succeed in the experience economy. We design modern brands, eCommerce experiences, products & platforms that help founders, disruptors and visionaries find their place at the intersection of culture, community & commerce.
