The Egotist Interviews: Modern Dog Design Co.

By / October 2, 2008 /

Since co-founding Modern Dog Design Co. in 1987, Robynne Raye and Michael Strassburger have continued to do work for entertainment and retail companies – both local and national – and counts poster, packaging and identity projects as some of their favorite work. Their recent clients include Coca-Cola, Adobe Systems Inc., Blue Q, Olive Green Dog Products, Shout! Factory and Oakley. Robynne and Mike have received recognition from every major design organization in the U.S. Their posters are represented in the permanent archives of the Rohan Marsan wing of the Louvre, Library of Congress, Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Bibliotheque Nationale de France, Museum Fur Kunst und Gewerbe, the Warsaw National Museum, Denver Art Museum and the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum among others. In early 2008, Chronicle Books published a 20 year retrospective focusing on their poster work. For more than 16 years they has lectured and taught workshops, both nationally and internationally. Currently, they both teach design courses at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle.

Q: You’re known as one of the last firms out there able to keep grunge-Americana relevant. What are the pros of a design firm having a consistent aesthetic? What are the cons?

A: Simplest Pro: If someone wants that aesthetic, we’re the ones. Most Obvious Con: We can do other things. Fortunately we know we don’t have just one “consistent aesthetic” and the clients who work with us know that too.

Q: Complete the following sentence. The best work we do always begins with:

A: ….a great client relationship. In particular, when the client believes in how we approach our work and we believe in their product.

Q: In your FAQ for students, you outline a number of characteristics you look for in an intern. “Ability to handle criticism” is mentioned three times. Why is it so important to develop a thick skin early on in this industry – particularly at your firm?

A: We don’t like “beating around the bush” when we’re looking at work. It saves time and we get the best work. We really feel that everyone being able to freely comment on anyone’s work in the office, brings the level of quality up. The most honest working environment is the most conducive to great work.

Q: We read that your poster work is featured in the permanent archives of the Denver Art Museum. Tell us a bit about that work specifically.

A: We don’t have an exact list in front of us but many of our posters at the DAM are from the entries we send every 2 years to the Colorado International Invitational Poster Exhibition (CIIPE). After the exhibition, they go to the archives of the Denver Art Museum. We’ve been invited by CIIPE to participate since the mid 90s so we probably have a dozen or so archived there.

Q: What’s the most inspiring creative thing going on in your hometown of Seattle right now?

A: Watching all the young people rally and get involved with politics.

Q: Your hatred of Bush and his cabinet is well documented (see image below: Pardon My French: Fuck Bush). How do you plan to celebrate come January 20th?

A: We’re too scared to think about celebrating yet. Karl Rove is still alive and involved. And the McCain/Palin ticket has the scary chance of being more of the same. Or worse.

Q: Which will you consider a more momentous occasion, Bush leaving office or your firm celebrating its 20th anniversary?

A: Our studio is actually now on its way to its 22nd anniversary but nevertheless, Bush leaving office is way more monumental. We barely noticed our 20th year. Except for the big party we had this past April at a club in Seattle, which felt more like a celebration for our book.

Q: This statement appears on your site: “A natural way for us to design is when we get to write the copy too.” You don’t hear about many design shops writing their own copy. How does writing a piece assist in the design of it?

A: We can really focus the message with a unique singular vision that is reflected in the design as well as the copy.

Q: The majority of your work is as funny as it is attractive. Why do you think humor has worked so well for your clients?

A: Laughing is a natural aphrodisiac, and when people feel sexy, they feel good. So working with us makes them feel sexy good.

Q: Over the last several years, you’ve had many live speaking engagements, especially for the club you’ll be speaking to on Thursday night. Why do you support AIGA and why should people seriously consider membership?

A: Because the AIGA gives far more to us than we could ever give back. The AIGA is the glue that holds us all together. Without the AIGA, we would not be speaking tonight.

Q: Why should we spend our Thursday night at your lecture instead of at the office working late like every other night?

A: You’ll never find yourself laying on your death bed saying, “I wish I worked at the office a little more.” And remember, the Palin-Biden debate will be all over the net tomorrow!

Event: Modern Dog speaks tonight as part of AIGA Colorado’s Speaker Series
Date: Thursday, October 2, 2008, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Place: Lakewood Cultural Center, Civic Center North Building, 470 S. Allison Parkway, Lakewood, CO 80226
Info: Here
RSVP: Here