Mike Hughes

About Mike Hughes

Don’t care who broke it—I’ll fix it. I’m Mike Hughes, a Senior Designer with 20+ years of untangling broken creative systems and building structure where there was none. From 300-page proposals to scattered templates, I step in, ask better questions, and make the work usable again.At Sodexo, I led design for multimillion-dollar proposals—building airtight templates, fixing logic gaps, and turning dense content into clean, on-brand narratives. That work helped win 32% more bids and earned a 4.95/5 internal rating.Before that, I rebuilt workflows at Cella and mentored junior designers to move faster and with fewer errors—translating tribal knowledge into replicable systems.Now, I bring that same mindset to modern challenges:– Integrating AI into workflows without losing the human thread– Leading digital transformations with structure, not buzzwords– Learning obsessively to stay ahead of the curve– Solving creatively under pressure– Making decisions that are informed, not just intuitiveI’m not here to “elevate brands” or “craft compelling stories.”I’m here to make the thing work—visually, structurally, and under fire- What I do best• Fix broken projects—layout, brand, or UX• Build systems that hold up under pressure• Stay calm when everyone else is scrambling- Tools I run withInDesign · Figma · Illustrator · Squarespace · CanvaAI-enhanced workflows · Layout systems · Brand cleanup · UX content structureI’ve launched an apparel brand, consulted with statewide nonprofits, and built full-stack creative systems—print, web, and product. But at the core?I’m a finisher.You bring the mess—I bring the close.(Not sales—the creative kind: systems, structure, results.)-🧠 Strategic thinker Sharp writer Execution machine Structure-focused designer Workflow builder🤖 AI-aware and data-informed

Experience

1. Brand Strategist Web Designer

   United Workers

   Feb 2021 — Present · Baltimore, MD, US

   Supporting United Workers as they organize low-wage workers across Maryland and beyond. Hired to lead a full overhaul of their digital presence—including brand refinement, site rebuild, and campaign storytelling that connects with their base. My role bridges narrative strategy, UX clarity, and scalable design systems for a grassroots movement with national reach.– Currently rebuilding their website around member action, accessibility, and mobile-first engagement– Wrote, edited, and structured content for site-wide messaging and seasonal campaigns– Crafted brand messaging and editorial tone to reflect trauma-informed, faith-grounded activism– Designed volunteer sign-up flows and storytelling features to strengthen base-building– Created print and digital materials to support rallies, political campaigns, and community outreach– Produced social content, typography systems, and graphics aligned with long-term organizing goalsThis isn’t just nonprofit branding—it’s movement infrastructure. I help ensure their message lands where it matters most: with working people, in real time, when it counts.

Education

• Washington Adventist University

  Bachelor of Science (BS), Communications: Graphic Design and Journalism

• Designlab

  UX/UI Design Bootcamp Completion, User Experience Design

  2021