Phenomenal designer, Introworks icon, Chinese takeout aficionado, lifelong Gopher fan, movie trivia prodigy, Game of Thrones Club member in good standing and all-around great-guy Mark Juckel took time out from his role as kingpin of our creative department to answer a few questions.
How do you do it? How do you take the complicated inputs we give you and turn it all into beautiful, engaging, on-brand communications?
Many, many, many years of practice. For most projects, after getting familiar with the creative brief and related content, I visualize a myriad of solutions in my head long before sitting down at the computer to execute the project into a digital format. After that it’s a lot of trial and error of what works and what doesn’t. I try and live by the 85% rule—get it to a point that’s just this side of polished. Then present to the client.
What’s your favorite kind of project?
Bringing a brand to life or breathing new life into an existing one. I enjoy the challenge that goes into those projects, from creating the logo to fine-tuning how the type will lay out on a page grid.
What brand do you wish you designed? Why?
Apple. For its simplicity. I have always tried to follow the Paul Rand mantra of “Less is More”. Design something, then take out the clunk to arrive at the simplest solution possible.
You have been at Introworks longer than anyone, other than the owners. How has working here, with our clients, changed you?
It starts and ends with working with great people. Through my time here I think I have become better at collaborating—and realizing the creative process is better through collaboration. It’s not about me, it’s about arriving at the best solution for our clients.
Do you wear more orange than you did when you started here? Or are you more of a maroon and gold man? Explain.
About the same. Before I started at Introworks, over 17 years ago, I was a freelance designer, my brand color was orange. That’s one of the things that made me realize Introworks was a good fit for me. Being a Minnesota Golden Gopher fan does move me to wear a lot of maroon and gold—but I bleed orange.
Where do you get the best Chinese takeout? What dishes?
House of Wong in Falcon Heights. Their house lo mein is the best I’ve ever had. I am also a huge fan of their vegetarian egg foo young.
How did you like the final season of Game of Thrones?
I thought Season 8 was too condensed. Too much happening in a short period of time, especially the last three episodes. It felt like they were trying to button everything up so tightly. I did enjoy the buildup to, and the battle with the Night King and White Walkers, but I think the series should have ended with that battle—after Cersei had been taken off the Iron Throne.