News Design
Challenge: Tell complex data stories under daily deadline pressure for a major Iowa daily newspaper
Result: Iowa APME award-winning news graphic; 3,000+ charts, maps, infographics, and pages produced over seven years
Making Creative Work for Your Business
20+ years helping businesses in Iowa's Creative Corridor and beyond turn creative challenges into measurable successes
Featured Work
High-impact work across design, marketing, and consulting—with real business results
Arium TTRPG Books: Create and Discover
Challenge: Creating a layout in a booklet form-factor with dense rules text and information in tables that didn't feel restrictive and served as a helpful instruction guide.
Result: 3 Ennie Award nominations including Product of the Year, Kickstarter funded at 2,363% of goal
Prairie Star District Annual Conference Event Branding and Collateral
Challenge: Small volunteer team hosting a large regional conference with no established playbook for materials or branding, developed from research and UU organizational values.
Result: 250 attendees served with branding, collateral, and wayfinding that impressed stakeholders and gave the client a replicable model for future events.
Balanced Fitness & Health Website (WordPress) Redesign
Challenge: Redesign outdated fitness center website to align with actual branding, to decrease confusion about services between work-related injuries and people who need help outside of work, and to attract new members
Result: 35% reduction in responses clarifying services, 40% increase in new member inquiries
Proven Services
Design & Production
End-to-end visual work across brand, web, print, and publication
- Logo design and brand identity systems
- Visual style guides and brand standards
- Marketing collateral, newsletters, and templates
- Social media graphics and campaigns
- Website consults, design, and redesigns
- Responsive, mobile-first layouts
- Accessibility and performance optimization
- Publication and book layout
- Infographics and data visualization
- Editorial design and event materials
Marketing & Strategy
Strategic guidance for positioning, growth, and market development
- Brand strategy and positioning audits
- User experience (UX) consultation
- Market positioning and competitive analysis
- Customer discovery and research
- Startup mentorship and lean methodology
- Presentation design and pitch decks
- Network of vendors and experts
Training & Education
Instruction and curriculum in design, web, marketing, and entrepreneurship
- Graphic design instruction
- Web and UX design courses
- Communication and presentation skills
- Entrepreneurship and startup methodology
- Workshop facilitation and curriculum development
- AI education and instruction
About Making Creative Work
Designing
Your Story
Award-winning solutions that communicate your brand story and engage your audience
Marketing
Your Strategy
Customer-centered positioning and messaging that resonates with your target market
Knowing
Your Business
Proven approaches, processes, skills, and technology that work for your objectives
About David MK
I'm David Miessler-Kubanek, the Owner and Lead Creative at DMK Creative, LLC, an award-winning designer, marketer, and business consultant based in Iowa City. For over two decades, I've worked with corporations, small businesses, startups, nonprofits, and educational institutions across Iowa's Creative Corridor and beyond.
What sets me apart is the unique combination of life-long learning, creative expertise, and business acumen. I don't just make things look good — I create strategic solutions that drive measurable business growth. Whether it's a complete brand identity, a high-stakes presentation, or a website redesign, every project starts with understanding your goals and ends with delivering results.
My work has been recognized with multiple awards, including Ennie nominations for gaming publication design and honors for news graphics from Iowa APME. But what I'm most proud of is helping clients achieve their business objectives through thoughtful, strategic creative work.
20+
Years Experience
100+
Projects Delivered
400+
Businesses Mentored
10+
Award Winner
Contact DMK Creative
Ready to discuss how strategic design and marketing can help your business grow?