In 1988, I sold custom-illustrated name cards to grade school classmates. Each card captured a bit of their personality. They were pretty rad, though I recall feeling disbelief that anyone would pay me a whole 50¢ to draw a few letters. The entire operation fit in a red plastic pencil box that jingled with loose change. Authorities, tipped off by the noise, snuffed out the short-lived venture, but not before my design love affair was born.   

I’m living my childhood dream as a creative professional, having done my thing at boutique design shops and integrated ad agencies for brands large and small. Just as I captured the personalities of my classmates, I dialed in how to uncover what a brand is really about and bring it into view. 

In 2021, I launched Metz Design Company to deliver purpose-driven branding and graphic design solutions that elevate brands to show their true meaning.