MAKING LASTING IMPRESSIONS
Good design isn’t just about making things look nice.
It’s about making things clear.
Clear message.
Clear positioning.
Clear identity.
When people immediately understand who you are and what you do, your brand becomes memorable.
Good design isn’t just about aesthetics.
It’s about purpose.
The brands people remember are rarely the loudest.
They’re the clearest.
When a brand’s message, identity, and design all align with purpose, something powerful happens — people understand it instantly.
That understanding is what turns companies into brands people remember.
As we look ahead to 2026, I’m excited to share a milestone that represents both a personal and professional journey: 40 years in the advertising and design industry and 20 years of working independently as MLi Design.
These past four decades have taken me through agency life, corporate creative roles, digital media, and nearly two decades of running my own studio. Each chapter has shaped the way I approach design — with purpose, clarity, and a focus on meaningful communication.
To mark this 20/40 celebration, I’ve refreshed the MLi Design brand and updated the website. This was the right moment to refine the studio’s visual language, modernize the online presence, and reconnect with the clients, collaborators, and friends I’ve been fortunate to work with over the years.
If you’d like to explore the updated site, you’ll find new work samples, refined messaging, and a clearer look at what MLi Design offers today.
Thank you for being part of this journey — whether we worked together recently or decades ago. I’m grateful for every project, partnership, and conversation along the way.
Visit the updated site at: www.mli.design
More updates to come as we head into the official 20/40 milestone year.
— Michael Inks
Creative Director, MLi Design
It’s been a real pleasure to work with Seattle Jazz Artist Dina Blade, on a new branding and web design project to promote her unique style and talent. If you appreciate authentic, smooth and classic Jazz, you’ll want to check out Dina’s 5 albums. Also, from the web site you can link to her facebook and twitter pages to follow her.
A decade ago this month, the opportunity presented its self to invest my previous 20 years of agency, corporate and freelance experience into a new, independent venture … MLi Design. Initially the acronym for the company name began with my initials, but the concept was solidified when it was discovered it could double for the brand tag-line, “making lasting impressions.” Far more than a marketing cliché, the tag-line perfectly represented a key element I wanted to drive my design decisions for the company … a strong desire to create marketing that made people stop, notice and above all, remember! I’m writing to you today because you have been part of making this dream venture and ten years of consistent business possible. I owe you my most sincere appreciation and gratitude, and thank you from my whole heart!
Sincerely,
Mike Inks
We are in the 4th season of working for the Wise Publishing Group, Seattle, to design and produce this quarterly publication for the residents and families of LeisureCare.
Just launched the newly branded, designed and developed Web site for MLi’s newest client from Seattle, AdSeek Media Group.
The production team included: Content Strategist – Daniel Brockley, Web Developer – Thor Simpson and Creative Director – Mike Inks.
Visit the new AdSeek Web site at: http://adseekmediagroup.com
