founder I creative director

Matthew founded Strong Studio in 2006. The studio is founded on his clever ideas, authentic relationships, and clear communication.

Born in Sierra Leone, West Africa, Matthew’s family later relocated to a 90-acre farm in Appleton, New York. He then graduated from Pratt Institute with the highest honors in 1999. From 2004 to 2018, Matthew also taught undergraduate Senior Design Thesis, Branding & Communication, and Package Design at Pratt. 

Matthew’s professional career began at SME Branding, where he helped create and extend brands for professional and collegiate sports, including the NBA, MLB, NCAA, and NHL. He then served as Senior Creative Director for Madison Square Garden, creating season identities for the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New York Liberty, and Radio City Music Hall.

Matthew manages two amazing Siamese cats with his wife, collects vinyl records, and rides a Bianchi road bike. This summer, he will join the Empire State Ride, a week-long, 550+-mile ride from NYC to Niagara Falls to raise funds for cancer research.

design manager

Jamie’s multitasking skills are a force of nature. After graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2009, she taught the arts in public education for eight years. In 2018, she switched her desk apple for the big one and became a permanent addition to the Strong Studio family. Jamie helps guide projects from concept to implementation, supervises project timelines, trains new designers, and helps bring the team’s artistic vision to life with her top-notch fine art skills.

When she is not keeping this well-oiled machine running, Jamie may be out collecting stamps in her passport and sending Snaps of her culinary encounters from around the world. 

Also part of Strong Studio West, Jamie recently completed a West Seattle community mural with volunteers from A Cleaner Alki.

developer

Paul is a website developer and UI/UX designer. He has been partnering with Strong Studio since 2016.

modern siamese

Forever our queen, Ramen will always remain in our hearts. She was the first official Strong Studio cat, known for her unusually large ears and vocal cords. She loved string nearly as much as she loved Matthew, and that’s saying a lot.

siamese tripod

Formerly a Southern Belle, Poutine was rescued on the side of the road after an accident. But don’t let the missing limb fool you; she can bounce, roll, and zoom circles around her big sis, Ramen.

siamese noodle

The newest member of the Strong family is a slippery Siamese/Balinese named Rigatoni Bourdain. She quickly became best friends with Poutine and insists that Matthew’s shoulder is the best place to perch.

dumpster cat

Found outside an Italian restaurant, Sammy was rescued and bottle-fed back to health. Now he gladly spends his days sunbathing, chirping at birds, and trying to steal food off your plate!