A new design studio, mr. moqo, headed by graphic designer Robert von Bjal, has opened in shared space with Hootenanny and fxphd, where he will become part of the collaboration among the creative media companies.
Von Bjal will provide entertainment and advertising clients with his brand of designimation, a unique blend of animated typography, mnemonics, branding and identity systems.
“I am not mr. moqo, but I can speak on his behalf,” says award-winning von Bjal about his entrepreneurial debut and its delivery of “a more purposeful approach to motion graphic design, one where style and movement enhance an idea, not replace one.”
Previously, von Bjal spent three years with Red Car as co-design director with his wife, Melissa von Bjal, who left to become the art director of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and Harpo. Harpo’s
Before that, von Bjal spent seven years as Somersault’s design director.
His award-winning work spans music videos, broadcast, film, games, advertising, print and the web. His client roster includes MTV, ESPN, Fox, Cartoon Network, Warner Bros., Disney, Philip Morris, Levis, Wired, Motorola, Subway, Coca-Cola, Pepsico and MillerCoors.
Executive producer for mr. moqo is Don Avila, who holds the same title with Hootenanny, which celebrates its first anniversary of business this month.
Avila was an editor at Avenue before heading postproduction at JWT. He left when the agency’s Kraft business fled in September, 2007 and freelanced before rejoining former Avenue colleagues Liz Tate and Jim Annerino.
mr. mogo is located at 211 E. Grand; phone, 312/670-0658. See www.mrmoqo.com
