My name is Nick Lacke. I am a visual designer and illustrator, bringing craft and authenticity to developing strong brand and web experiences.
About me
I am a brand designer and illustrator living in the Chicago, Illinois area. I have 15+ years of experience as a visual designer, creating best-in-class experiences in-house for tech companies, universities, and independent clients.
As a creative, I advocate for authenticity in the work and the workplace. I believe soft skills and emotional intelligence are just as important as design chops, especially when it comes to building strong, lasting brands. I prioritize relationships, using humility and honesty to build strong connections across organizations.
During my precious downtime, I create art, prints, and other paper goods—some of which you can purchase on this site. I am heavily influenced by comics, horror and sci-fi films, politics, and travel.
I live in Oak Park with my partner, Crystal, and our two kids, Keaton and Daisy.
Important facts
I was once a finalist in an international online Vincent Van Gogh lookalike contest.
Nick Lachey once apologized to me for his fame, causing my (very similar) name to be the butt of many jokes since the late 90s.
I got to say the word “butt” on CNN (see below).
Publications
“How the sexy peach emoji joined the resistance”
Washington Post, 1 October 2019.
“Trump puts the ‘peach’ in impeachment”
CNN, 7 October 2019.
Let’s chat!
Do you have an illustration idea or a design project you’d like to collaborate on? Reach out and I’m happy to see if we would be a good match for your project.