Michael Strassburger, co-founder of Modern Dog, grew up in Richland, Washington where he and his friends would ride their bikes in the clouds behind mosquito-killing DDT trucks, which might help explain his off kilter sense of humor (but maybe not?). But it's exactly this "8th grade sense of humor" that is responsible for our 15 year relationship with Blue Q head honcho, Mitch Nash. Mike and Mr. Nash have collaborated on such products as the best selling Cat Butt and Mullet brand series (magnets, gums, car air fresheners, and bath products), Go Intercourse Yourself Lip Balm, Handz-off Anti Masturbatory Cream and "Does this gum make my ass look big?" gum packaging, among many others.
If Mike has a free moment you can find him trying to record himself or one of his daughters in his home recording studio, fixing things around the house, or man wrestling (he has a brown belt in Brazillian Jiiu-Jitsu and black belt in Aikido). He enjoys reading the Huffington Post and watching live martial arts on television. Most recently, The Buckets, – a 90's band Mike played guitar in – have decided to reunite.
In 2006 Graphic Design magazine identified Mike as a one of the "People to Watch". He has received hundreds of awards and recognition from every major U.S. design publication/organization, including Graphis, AIGA, Type Directors Club, American Center for Design 100 Show, and Communication Arts. His work is represented in the permanent archives of the Louve (Rohan Marsan wing), Warsaw National Museum, Smithsonian Institute's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, the Library of Congress, Denver Art Museum, Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Experience Music Project and the Museum Fur Kunst und Gewerbe, among others. Michael currently teaches design courses at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle.