Life as a Design Director in our St. Louis Commercial Team
Design Director Dustin Mueller takes you through his typical workday at Fishawack Health’s Commercial team, based in St. Louis, Missouri.
What does your role consist of and why were you drawn to it?
I’ve always been interested in art and visual languages, so a career in design seemed like a natural fit. But I also wanted my work to have a direct impact on the world around me, doing good rather than simply creating work that’s good to look at. My role at Fishawack Health allows me to do that. I apply my skills to create visuals that intrigue, engage, and above all, change attitudes.
The diversity in workstreams is immense. I could be creating visuals for a new campaign or making infographics that easily convey complex networks of data. One day I could be developing a new brand identity. The next day I could be creating materials the client isn’t aware they need (yet). All in all, I wanted meaningful diversity and I have it in spades.
What’s a typical day like?
I consider myself fortunate to be working in such a varied industry as healthcare. I get to learn about multiple different therapy areas and meet very diverse client groups, not just in my country, but from across the world. Each brand I work on has its own set of distinct problems that I’m challenged to solve. So, in the morning I might be designing a postal communication, and in the afternoon, I could be creating new visual concepts for a potential client. With such a range of client problems, I’m never at a loss for stimulating briefs, and I’m never bored!
Why Fishawack Health?
I’ve never wanted to just do good work—I’ve always wanted to do work that also does good. This is why I am at Fishawack Health. The opportunities for creative expression are more than abundant and I know that everything I do will reach healthcare professionals. It’s a great feeling to know that I’m helping to empower doctors and nurses to better help their patients, by connecting them with new life-changing treatments and therapies. That is what drives me, and there is no shortage of that here.
With all that work, is there time for play?
Although I love art and design, spending all day in front of a computer screen can sometimes be strenuous. So, when I sign off for the day, I can usually be found outside. Whether it’s taking a walk in a local park, hiking in wooded hills, or fishing in a crystal-clear river—I’m usually surrounded by nature. It’s one of the places I can find peace, draw inspiration, and make sure that I’m refreshed to help doctors, nurses, and patients uncover new, life-changing therapies.