Hi. I’m Michael Dabbs. 
But most people call me Dabbs.

I’m a creative director who likes being hands-on, a designer who sees the big picture and smallest details, a strategic thinker, and an enthusiastic collaborator. I work with brands and organizations of all shapes and sizes and have deep experience building brand identities and crafting work that drives meaningful connections between brands and their people. I champion simplicity whenever possible including the creation of systems designed with ease of use and clarity in mind. 

Doing the Work + Guiding the Work

I’m as comfortable working on the nitty-gritty of a project as I am in overseeing one. The truth is that I still like being in the sandbox, working through a problem with my own hands. But I also get a lot of satisfaction from stepping back and guiding other creatives.

Left Brain + Right Brain

I’m as buttoned-up as an account manager, as strategically minded as a brand strategist, as much of a systems nerd as, well, any systems nerd, but not ego-driven-enough to think I know everything. I’m curious and love to ask questions, which I think makes for better work.

Solo + Collaboration

I’m both a one-man design band as well as being practiced at working full-time long-term with big teams spread across multiple agencies and clients. Although I’ve been a freelancer since 2009, mostly working from home before it was cool/necessary, I always jump at the chance to collaborate and be a part of something bigger.