10 Questions: Kevin Skrocki, Mintz + Hoke

“I’m a Senior Brand Designer and Design Professor with expertise in design systems, strategy, and scalable brand experiences. I’ve worked with Cornell Engineering, Ascend Bank, and CSCU, translating complex ideas into clear brand identities.”

What do you do and where do you do it?
I’m a Senior Designer specializing in brand identity. I come from agency settings and currently work at Mintz + Hoke as a Senior Designer. I’ve worked with brands in healthcare, finance, and hospitality, helping them build meaningful and strategic visual identities.

What inspired you to choose this profession, and what makes you stay in it?
For a long time, I struggled to figure out who I was, and design helped guide me there. It started in my senior year of high school when I took my first typography course. I fell in love with visual communication. Seeing Andy Warhol’s posters inspired me to explore design more seriously. Design became my coping mechanism for the things I didn’t feel I was good at. Over time, I became fascinated with color, typography, and the psychology behind advertising. That curiosity is what keeps me here because there is always more to learn and explore.

What is your career highlight so far?
One of my biggest career highlights was developing the brand for Ascend Bank. I worked on the identity, logo, and brand guidelines. Seeing your work out in the world is an incredible feeling. The amount of effort and pride I put into that project makes me forever grateful for the opportunity I received. It was truly an honor to work alongside the team to bring the brand to market.

What do you want to accomplish before you retire?
I have a long bucket list, but most importantly, I want to inspire others to create. I believe in the power of collective effort and uplifting others to do their best work. We don’t create in isolation; we create together. Collaboration may sound like a cheesy buzzword, but it’s true. I want to continue learning alongside others through communication, mentorship, and shared creativity.

Who/What are your biggest influences?
The design community is my biggest influence. I’m constantly learning from diverse perspectives within our creative networks. Being exposed to different ways of thinking has helped me better understand how to approach and solve design problems. It’s the people around me who have helped me grow and explore different creative avenues.

Who are the best creatives you’ve worked with?
This is a tricky question, but the best creatives I’ve worked with are those who have no ego, are open to learning, and remain ambitious. Creativity is a state of flow that needs proper nurturing. I’ve had the honor of learning from incredible people in the industry, and I’m truly grateful for them.

What cause means the most to you?
Equal access to education means the most to me. Everyone deserves the opportunity to learn and grow. There are so many determined, hardworking people who don’t have equal access to education, and I believe in using my voice to inspire others to recognize their own power and potential.That’s why I believe in giving people a chance, hiring individuals who show initiative and who are good humans. Skills can be taught, but integrity, empathy, and character are what truly help a company grow.

Why Connecticut?
I love Connecticut because it’s a hub for creativity. There are so many talented designers and creatives here. I’m constantly meeting brilliant people who challenge me in the best way and offer new perspectives that help me grow my craft. I also love seeing the creative community come together, which is why I joined AIGA Connecticut.

What are your loves/passions outside of this field?
No phone, no computer, just a book in the middle of the forest. I carry a notebook filled with my dreams, and they’re not material dreams. They’re about the people I want to meet and the goals I set to become the best version of myself. That practice has helped me better understand who I am as a person.

What do you know now that you didn’t know then?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to be yourself. The world will try to change you, but staying authentic, confident, and respectful will take you far. I always tell my students to study emotional intelligence and focus on becoming good humans. When you lead with character, everything else follows. Sometimes we put pressure on ourselves. A little pressure can help us grow, but it’s important to be patient with yourself and take things one step at a time.