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Meet Max Hofert

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Max Hofert.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Max. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
From a young age, I loved art and the joy that it brought into my life. I began skateboarding at the ripe age of four years old, which opened up a whole new world of creative expression. As I grew older, I knew that whatever I did when I grew up – it had to involve creativity.

Through my adolescence and into my 20’s, I struggled with alcohol and drug addiction and eventually found my way to sobriety through skateboarding. I knew that if I gave college another shot, I needed to study in a field that I would be passionate about for the rest of my life. My sister was attending CU Boulder and studying advertising at the time. She was loving it, so I figured I would give it a shot. I was 23 when I went back to school at CU Boulder, and boy was it a hell of a ride. No one ever told me that 75% of college has nothing to do with your major!

My junior year of college I began learning graphic design. I had so many ideas, but I had no way to bring them to life. I did graphic design non-stop and never slowed down. I met people and made some really cool connections in the advertising world. My school had made a mistake and I was not placed into the two-year portfolio track in the advertising program. I built my entire portfolio on my own. I had fabulous mentors that helped me through the long and hard journey.

I was able to land an internship as an Art Director at an ad agency I had never imagined being able to work at. Partially due to the fact that they had someone drop-out a week before the internship started, haha. I learned so much so quickly. That one internship opened a lot of doors for me. I started freelancing right before the internship had started, and things just got better and better. I’m now working as an Experience Designer at my dream job. I have a tremendous amount of gratitude for all the folks that took me under their wing and gave me opportunities that changed my life. You all rule!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Absolutely not a smooth road. Some decent potholes, that’s for sure. The cards were stacked against me in college, without a portfolio program and close mentorship from faculty. I was obsessed with graphic design and learning it, and nothing could stop me. I never slept, read tons of books, met people, came up with wild ways to apply for jobs, and constantly soaked up knowledge from design channels on YouTube. I was determined and never looked back. That’s why I think it’s so important for folks to find their passions and infuse them with their career pathways. Everyone deserves to do a job they love. Shit, we work 50+ years in our lifetime!

We’d love to hear more about your work.
My business is called Max Hofert Design. I specialize in brand identity and packaging design. I try to infuse witty brand messaging with design systems that will turn heads. As a designer – I feel it’s my duty to create purposeful experiences that add value for users. Humans and emotions are at the center of all design, so it’s imperative that research and strategy run in tandem with the design process. I have seen the movie Dumb and Dumber 128.6 times.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I’ve had too many unbelievable mentors, supporters, and cheerleaders to list. You all know who you are and I love you dearly! I wouldn’t be where I am today without all those who were there for me and had patience while I was learning.

Contact Info:


Image Credit:
Ladd Forde at Forde Photography

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