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 director

Kate is Strong Studio’s resident perfectionist and an overall design machine. A Pratt alumni — and one of Matthew’s former students —  she has been with Strong Studio since 2013, churning out dozens of visual identities and even more print, packaging, and social media campaigns.

Kate works hands-on with clients and the design staff to ensure deadlines are met, objectives are surpassed, workflow is efficient, and the work product is a masterpiece. No one is quite sure when she sleeps.

In 2020, she packed her husband, dogs, cats, and pear tree and drove them across the country to start Strong Studio West in Seattle.

When she can be convinced to leave her laptop at home, Kate works with rescued farm animals at Heartwood Haven, a nonprofit sanctuary where she serves as Chair of the Board of Directors.

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 is currently working on a West Seattle community mural with volunteers from A Cleaner Alki.

designer

Tanvi is a designer, illustrator, and videographer. In her free time, she experiments with printmaking and bookmaking.

developer

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

modern siamese

Endearing yet ultimately a little creepy, Ramen has abnormally large ears and a vocal range that rivals a teething baby. She likes string almost as much as she likes Matthew, and that’s saying something.

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.

welsh corgi

Bento is a food-motivated, occasionally good boy. He likes to chase treats, balls, and chipmunks from his backyard. He's the most traveled dog we know, having left his mark in over 30 states.

shiba inu

Kona is a very shy girl and a proud survivor of the puppy mill industry. She still jumps at loud noises, but all of the toys, tortilla chips, and sunshine make her happy.

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!