Today we’d like to introduce you to Deon Mixon.
Hi Deon, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Cool
My name is Deon C. Mixon Jr. but I only go by Deon Mixon (because I’m more famous than my dad).
I was born and raised in Detroit and I grew up on the east side (8 Mile + Van Dyke).
I started out playing the violin in 3rd grade so orchestra was my life for 7 yrs. My goal was to be in a symphony orchestra in the end. I retired from that in 9th grade because my violin sensei advised me (not verbatim) that if I didn’t want to die trying to join a symphony orchestra, that I should consider my other skills. I drew anime as a kid, so art was always another interest. A middle school counselor then told me about graphic design—a career in which I’d have financial stability and be able to help people with my creativity. I thought that was dope so I just went with it on my way to high school. So, I decided to pursue graphic design in 8th grade.
(jumping to checkpoints)
So, I’m a graduate of Detroit Public Schools (DPS) K12. I graduated from Cass Technical High School (2013) and Western Michigan University with my BFA in Graphic Design (2017).
In my senior year of high school, I applied for the Bill Gates Millennium Scholarship and I was one of 1000 American students selected to receive it, which meant a full ride and no college debt for my undergrad. I didn’t go to grad school (to avoid any student debt).
In my senior year of college (or technically after I graduated), I studied abroad in Europe doing letterpress printing, visiting Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, and France. This was my first time traveling outside of the US (besides Canada). This trip lasted a month (May – June; I graduated that April).
In July 2017, I moved to NYC for a design internship at Landor which lasted 3 months. I then did a 3-month design internship at Beardwood&Co. I left NYC in March 2018 because of unemployment and went back home to Detroit.
In Sept 2018, I landed a full-time design job at BasedOn—a brand design studio located Downtown Detroit—and I’ve been here since (7 yrs).
So now, design is my life. I work my day job; I do freelance for local and national clients, and I run a design education company, Design Eye, part-time where I create and sell board games and card games about design. I also do lectures, mainly teaching urban youth.
I’m 30. I’m a Christian. I’ve been married for 3 yrs (5/20/22). I have a son (6 months) and two step-daughters (10 and 5).
I love language, apologetics, tactical defense (guns, gear, and training), and movies. I studied Japanese for 4 yrs (3 in HS 1 in college) but wasn’t able to double-major and become fluent.
Naruto is the best anime of all time.
Jason Bourne is my favorite fiction character.
Saving Private Ryan is the best war movie of all time.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Smooth? Sort of.
My parents divorced when I was 9 and then I stayed with my mom full-time. In short, my dad was my captain who led my manhood and my mom was my captain who led my career. They both led my faith, but mainly my dad. (Christian household; PK).
In those days, living with my mom was a low-income household xp; visiting my dad was not. So, college being paid for was paramount. My mom was elite in this operation and we succeeded. Glory to God!
My mom suddenly died in 2015. She was 42. Heart disease.
My dad is still with us. He’s married and has another son, my brother who is 15 yrs younger than me. Oh, I’m the middle child of 3 (older and younger sister).
In general, God has brought me through any obstacle. I have a biblical worldview and the mind of Christ, so I don’t stress for long on any struggle that may arise.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a graphic designer that specializes in branding. I work at a design studio that provides design, branding, and brand strategy services to clients big and small. BasedOn mainly serves B2B clients.
Known for? Probably redesigning the Detroit flag. See: detroitriseflag.com. After that, Design Eye. See: designeyegame.com
Most proud of? Design Eye.
What sets me apart from others? My ideation, thoroughness, and critical thinking and discernment skills.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I’ve always been laid-back. Like many kids, I was shy, but as I got older my confidence grew and so I don’t deal with timidity anymore, but I am still a quiet person in general.
I’m a very direct, rational, “Type-A” as one might say, type of person.
I love minimalism, monumentalism, profound things, theology, Swiss and Scandinavian design.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://deonmixon.com
- Instagram: @deonmixon
- Facebook: Deon Mixon
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deonmixon
- Other: designeyegame.com; detroitriseflag.com
