People
The Firebelly Family is a tight knit collective of strategists, designers, writers and programmers working hard to change the world.
- meet the team
- Dawn Hancock, Owner + Creative Director
- Will Miller, Art Director
- Brandon Weiss, Web Developer
- Darren McPherson, Designer
- Charlie Smith, Motion Designer
- Shannon Medic, Program Director
- Name: Will Miller
- Title: Art Director
- Sexiest Physical Attribute: Green Thumbs
- Hates: Personal Logos + Typos on Résumés
- Loves: All Things Canadian
Will digs deep. As Firebelly’s art director, he sees the human experience first, steering the studio towards engaging visuals that are at once meaningful, tangible and timeless.
Will’s belief in putting sincerity before style probably came from his father, a professional portrait photographer, who trusted his subjects’ innate qualities to engage the viewer—rather than relying on digital filters or dramatic lighting effects.
Strengthening his understanding of “natural beauty,” Will’s exposure to the illustrated works of Tolkien revealed image making on a visceral level. Lured into a fantasy realm of imaginary alphabets, symbols and intricate floral embellishments, he found himself completely consumed by iconography, typography and hand lettering.
Will’s design talent and fastidious attention to type eventually earned him the marketing director position at one of the country’s premiere luxury lifestyle magazines. In two and half years, Will unified the brand’s regional editions, expanded the marketing department by 6 and played a major role in the company’s 400% growth in outreach and circulation.
Inevitably, the bling began to tarnish and Will decided his skills could be better used elsewhere. Leaving the luxe life behind, he joined Firebelly; excited to create design + change for worthwhile causes and clients doing important, interesting work.
On the weekends, Will wakes up early and documents fleeting glimpses of West Chicago’s diminishing hand type and old school lettering. His passion for typography has also led to teaching a Type 1 class at the Chicago Portfolio School—where he refuses to be called Mr. Miller.
Will loves how “accidental discoveries” can change everyday perceptions and knows the best place to get introspective and sort out Life’s big questions is on Head Lake in southern Ontario.
Will earned his BFA in Graphic + Interactive Communication from Ringling College of Art & Design in Sarasota, Florida where he also minored in Photography.