Michael Janda is an award-winning creative director, designer, agency owner and author. In 2002, he founded the creative agency Riser, which provided design and development services for clients that included Disney, Google, Warner Bros., Fox, NBC, ABC, National Geographic and many other high-profile brands. Following 13 successful years, Michael sold his agency to Eli Kirk in 2015. The combined agency rebranded as EKR where Michael served as a partner and Chief Creative Officer for a little over two years.

Prior to founding his agency, Michael served as a Senior Creative Director at Fox Studios where he managed the design, editorial and development teams for the Fox Kids and Fox Family brands.

Michael’s book, Burn Your Portfolio: Stuff They Don’t Teach You In Design School But Should, was published in 2013 and has been one of the top-selling design industry books since its release. 

His work, book and agency have received awards and recognition from Inc. 5000, FWA, Awwwards, HOW Magazine, Print Magazine, Ad News Magazine, Huffington Post, Utah’s Best of State, Promax/BDA, AIGA 100, Addy Awards, Webby Awards, Utah Business Magazine and BusinessQ Magazine.