Meet Our Team: Mike Zappala

“Mike helps us put together sites that we can all be proud of.” - Kevin Stewart-Mercurio , Web Developer.

Mike Zappala combines technical expertise with artistic vision to create impactful designs that resonate with a wide range of audiences - ask the middle school basketball team he coaches! His experience playing collegiate basketball and golf drives him to push boundaries and deliver designs that exceed client expectations. As a talented designer, Mike brings a fresh perspective and creative approach to every project.

Mike Z: Cool, Calm, Collected

“Mike has a really good attitude about anything that comes at him,” says Bob Kiernan , Founder. “He doesn’t get rattled.” As a dedicated Designer, Mike gets a lot thrown at him, but his quality of work and positivity never falter. “Mike gets things done no matter how big or how small,” says Eric Yeamans , Director of Digital Operations. “If you drop a task or project on his desk, there’s never an eye roll or a sigh, he's always pleasant and eager to get started.”

There are thousands of LinkedIn articles touting tips for professional behavior, and while they offer some helpful recs, we sought advice from the man himself. “Proper preparation prevents poor performance,” says Mike.

And he’s right! (Duh).

Mike is calm and cool because he’s prepared. His skill as an Actual Sizer is bolstered by his expansive design knowledge and passion for creativity. But unlike the elusive “cool girl aesthetic”, Mike brings genuine kindness into everything he does, always being the first to offer a helping hand. Another member of the design team, Clare Connell confirms this.

“Mike is SO helpful. If I ever have any questions, he’s the person I will go to.”

“It’s really nice to work with him because he’s very helpful and he doesn’t mind answering a bunch of questions,” says Grant Mowry , this summer’s Design intern. We put that sentiment to the test in interviewing Mike for this feature.

What does your role entail?

“I assist in the creation of digital and printed branding materials. I’m responsible for page layouts, design elements, image treatments, meeting deadlines, communicating with coworkers, and sufficing client needs,” says Mike.

Mike works alongside Design, Development, and Project Management teams. Juggling multiple projects at once isn’t always easy, but Mike’s work ethic is something to admire. “He shows up and he’s always ready to go,” says Mary Kiernan , Partner.

Actual Size’s Creative Director, Joe Shumbat , appreciates that Mike is always up for a challenge. “I think his background in competitive sports, being an athlete really shows through when it comes to handling pressure and delivering.”

It’s no surprise that Mike’s favorite thing about his role is working with a worldwide athletic powerhouse.

What are your favorite parts about your role? Do you have any favorite projects?

“Creating materials for my favorite football team: the Pittsburgh Steelers ,” Mike says proudly. “Mike and I work very closely together on creative projects at Actual Size, especially the Steelers projects that we work on each year,” says Addison Reckley , Project Manager.

His loyalty to the black and gold knows no bounds. As a 412-based agency, we’re thrilled to have a dedicated fan among our ranks, and after 5 years at Actual Size, Mike’s enthusiasm has been nothing short of infectious. Eric reflects on his transition to the Development team and the critical role Mike played.

“Since the baton was passed onto him, he has excelled at not only execution but elevating the process and design of something that has very particular parameters and an EXTREMELY tight deadline in a lot of cases.”

Mike tackles projects beyond yearbooks, game day programs, and media guides, too. One of his recent favorites is Rival, Pittsburgh's newest spot to eat, drink and hang out. Mike designed more than a few “big moment” spaces, putting his love of sports to good use. And if you need further evidence of Mike’s resolve, check this photo of him and other Actual Sizers applying the artwork by hand.

“Watching Mike work on the Rival project was super cool. As someone who is not a designer, I really enjoyed watching him turn his ideas into physical installations,” says Kevin.

Compassion in Conference Rooms + On The Court

Mike’s hot take: The top 3 basketball players of all time are Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant (in that order).

Our hot take: Mike can really pull off a bald cap.

Kidding! Kind of. But Anthony Gatti ’s note on Mike’s willingness to participate shouldn’t go unnoticed. Whether it’s a summer engagement competition or a Valentine’s Day box contest, Mike is always ready to jump in. Alexander Grattan knows this all too well. “Mike is always willing to lend a helping hand and is genuinely a caring person.”

Well, we genuinely care about Mike, and wanted to share some of our favorite things about him.

• “His ability to listen and understand others.” - Addison
• “Always seems to be the calmest, most composed person in the office. No matter what chaos might be ensuing.” - Alexander
• “Mike’s work as a basketball coach is a testament to his patience and his ability to share his skill with others.” - Bob
• “He has a really amazing work ethic. Mike has to work with a lot of tight deadlines, but the quality of his work is never affected. He’s also an incredibly genuine and kind person, you can see that in the way he mentors people.” - Cecily
• “Mike is super organized and you can tell he really cares about the stuff he is working on.” - Clare
• “I admire his work ethic. Before Mike started I spent a lot of years working on Steelers materials and knew how much of an undertaking those jobs are during an NFL season.” - Eric
• “I admire his patience, he seems very calm and doesn't easily get annoyed by things going wrong.” - Grant
• “His positive attitude. Period.” - Joe
• “Working with a designer as skilled as Mike makes my development experience much more exciting. Mike helps us put together sites that we can all be proud of.” - Kevin
• “Mike is always so calm and collected. I've never seen him get frazzled and I think that trait is super helpful where there is so much moving and going on. I also admire his love of sports and sports facts. He knows everything.” - Larissa
• “He never gives up and keeps working for the best solution.” - Mary

To celebrate Mike, we encourage you all to show some kindness, share your passion, and to listen to Nayvadius Wilburn (Future) at an extremely high volume. Bonus points if you pick up Five Guys!