Any hiring team can tell you about the bone deep exhaustion inherent in repeating the same questions over and over, testing Einstein’s law of insanity, doing the same thing over and over and hoping for a different outcome.
But those teams clearly haven’t met Matt D’Angelo.
Just like this article, our “interview” devolved from a formal process and ended up more like a bunch of artsy geeks totally fan-clubbing over creative brand design. All to say, bringing Matt on as our Creative Director, was a really good day at the Agency 29 offices.
To keep the lovefest going (because, come on, he’s the coolest!), we asked Matt to run through a rapidfire round under the guise of getting to know him better.
What drew you to the role of Creative Director at Agency 29, and what do you love most about this kind of work?
Honestly? It was the unicorn factor. It’s rare to find a nimble, respected agency that is actually run by a designer. That DNA changes everything. The aesthetic is organic, the work is expressive, and the clients actually trust us. Plus, the team here is devoid of the typical “Mad Men” agency baggage. There are no egos here, just really talented people who I get to support and grow. What’s not to love?
Before joining Agency 29, what were you up to professionally? Any past roles, education, or experiences that especially shaped how you work today?
I’ve spent my career building a reputation as a creative Swiss Army Knife. I’ve bounced between small design studios, branding firms, full-service agencies, and even the wild west of interactive and fintech startups. That variety forced me to be a disciplined generalist: I can talk strategy in the boardroom and then jump into the trenches to push pixels. It’s given me a “battle-tested” approach where I’m comfortable with just about any channel, tactic, or tool you throw at me.
What does a Creative Director actually do day-to-day, and how is it different from what most people imagine?
I think people imagine me sipping whiskey, staring out a window, and occasionally pointing at a layout saying, “Make it pop.” The reality is much more active. It’s about steering the ship. I’m constantly exercising “micro and macro muscles”, keeping a high-altitude view of a campaign’s strategy while simultaneously sweating the tiny details of production. It involves mentoring the team, translating client needs into creative opportunities, and getting my hands dirty in the design files.
What’s something you’re excited to bring to our team or hope to grow into here?
I’m bringing a heavy suitcase of “lessons learned.” Having worked across so many verticals and project scopes, I’ve gathered a lot of efficiency hacks, process improvements, and technical know-how that I’m excited to deploy here. My goal is to use those skills to make the creative department even more robust, and streamlining how we work so we have more time to just be creative.
5. What’s the most unexpected place you’ve found inspiration for a client project?
Inspiration is rarely found while staring at a cursor blinking on a blank screen. It hits me when I step away and look at the world with the eyes of a curious kid. It might be the typography on a vintage album cover, a tile pattern in a hotel lobby, or just interesting clouds in the sky. I also get a lot of “sonic” inspiration. Listening to the layered noise of a busy street or a complex piece of music can often unlock a creative idea I was stuck on.
When you’re not at the computer, where would we find you?
If the wind isn’t threatening to steal it, you’ll find me piloting my drone. There’s something therapeutic about seeing the world from 400 feet up. It’s a literal change of perspective. Otherwise, I’m probably indulging in some heavy nostalgia (revisiting old toys, films, and music), shouting at a live sporting event, attending a live concert, or hunting for the best new restaurant in town.
Lastly, what’s your go-to coffee (or tea) order – and what snack should we keep stocked in the break room for you?
I’m going to ruin my “Creative Director” street cred right now: I don’t drink coffee. Or tea. I run entirely on water and enthusiasm. I know, it’s tragic. As for snacks? I’m easy to please. Keep the chocolate coming, stock some trail mix (the kind with the good candy-to-nut ratio), and maybe some oranges or grapes so I can pretend to snack healthy.
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And there you have it: the man, the myth, the Creative Director. Matt’s commitment to process, perspective, and pixel-perfect design is exactly what Agency 29 needs to keep growing our expressive, trusted brand. Welcome to the team, Matt!