Meet David.

David Starke is a Chicago-area Associate Creative Director with nearly
20 years of experience specializing in brand identity, integrated campaigns, digital experiences, events and experiential design, motion graphics, video, and typography. He combines creative vision with strategic thinking to develop compelling visual solutions that strengthen brands, engage audiences, and support business growth, with particular expertise working with technology and SaaS companies.

Recent Highlights

increase in creative team production year over year while lead designer in FY24 H2 and FY25 H1.

192%

increase on MQL conversion with redesigned product pages on paylocity.com in 2024.

11%

more downloads of 2024’s top-performing content piece the Compliance Toolkit compared to 2023.

220%

close rate on business from attendees of Fathom event held in Chicago Spring of 2024.

71%

David Starke | Creative Director and Designer

Skill Diversity

What’s the tea?

  • Portrait of a man with brown hair smiling, wearing a white lab coat over a black shirt, against a plain gray background.

    “David is one of my favorite people to work with because he's organized and at the same time understands that the business world isn't always 'as planned.' He is adaptive and leans on strong communication skills to ensure all those involved are well informed.”

    Taylor Parker | Director of Sales

  • A smiling man with black hair, glasses, wearing a dark blazer and gray shirt, against a yellow background with radiating lines.

    “David collaborates easily and is focused on bringing your brand vision to life. I felt like we were co-creating my brand, with my initial vision guiding our work together. David showed professionalism and a deep understanding of where I wanted my podcast and business to go. If you are looking for a designer that listens to your vision, helps shape your brand, and executes your brand assets with excellence, then David is the guy! 10/10 would recommend and work with again.“

    Shawn Buttner | Certified High Performance Coach

  • A woman with curly blonde hair smiling, wearing a beige jacket and earrings.

    “THANK YOU DAVID for making the Fathom event come to life. Your visuals and work on my presentation were phenomenal. I appreciate your collaboration, creativity, and hard work.“

    Elatia Abate | Futurist and Keynote Speaker

  • A woman with black hair and glasses smiling, wearing a red jacket and white shirt, standing in front of a graffiti wall with black, white, and blue patterns.

    “I always look forward to seeing how David pushes the brand. He always explores unique styles/effects that make our brand stand out—he sets the tone and raises the standard.”

    Michelle Chow | Graphic Designer

  • A woman with blonde hair wearing glasses and a denim jacket, smiling and resting her chin on her hand.

    “I have always found David to be a solution seeker. He singlehandedly owns the design of all of our virtual events and takes that responsibility seriously. He knows his work is the first impression our clients often have of Paylocity events and it shows in how thoughtful, innovative, and client-focused his work always is.“

    Megan Gates | Client Events Manager

  • Professional woman with short brown hair, glasses, and a black blazer, smiling against a neutral background.

    “David Starke is one of the best creatives I've ever worked with - he's thoughtful, experimental, but also client-forward - meaning, he listens to his clients and internal stakeholders to glean what they TRULY want, not what they may be asking for. In every case, he's always come back with amazing ideas that took our projects higher and further than we thought possible.“

    Robin Rees | Director Marketing

Experience

  • Associate Creative Director - Design | March 2025 - Present
    Senior Graphic Designer | January 2022 - March 2025
    Graphic Designer | November 2017 - January 2022

    David joined the team in a Graphic Designer role and has had multiple promotions on his way to his current role as Associate Creative Director - Design based on his creative leadership, excellent record of achievement, and outstanding contributions made to the Marketing department and greater organization. Highlights of David’s tenure include:

    • Directing team leadership, professional development, and process optimization within the design function.

    • Implementing and refining brand standards to drive consistency and a unified visual identity.

    • Leading creative development and execution of high-impact campaigns, events, and activations (ONE, Future of HCM Now, HCM, Simplified).

    • Partnering with writers, strategists, marketing leads, and stakeholders to deliver integrated, results-driven creative solutions.

    • Cultivating a collaborative, high-performing environment that pushes creative boundaries and delivers design excellence.

  • Senior Graphic Designer | March 2012 - November 2017
    Graphic Designer | January 2010 - March 2012

    David joined the team in a Graphic Designer role and was promoted based on strong design sense, successful project implementation, and expanding workload. He lead design on all corporate and private label marketing. Highlights of David’s tenure include:

    • Conceptualization and implementation of product packaging and marketing for Embrace and Compliance private label brands.

    • Increasing profit margins with Home Care specific marketing and product catalogs targeting market needs.

    • Ideating and executing current corporate branding.

  • Graphic Designer | September 2007 - January 2010

    During his time at Widespark, David managed and provided visual deliverables for multiple client accounts including, but not limited to: SIF Association, Fox Valley Orthopedics, Seigle's Cabinet Center and WideSpark Design. Key contributions during his time there include:

    • Developing the brand for the newly established technology company Integrity Schools.

    • Being a key player in the creation and roll out of the new Integrity Schools website.

  • Graphic Design Intern | March 2007 - June 2007

    David’s first professional experience came at Grip Design where he supported designers on several projects for clients including but not limited to: Abercrombie and Kent, BOKA Restaurant Group and Crain's Chicago Business.

  • David graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Graphic Design and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Studio Art with an emphasis in Photography.

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It’s Not All Business

Design and a beard might get him where he is going, but David’s spouse Ashley and their two kids, Sophie and Miles, are what fuel him every day. Time away from the canvas often includes caring for the latest clowder of foster kittens (as well as the permanent furry residents), practicing the martial art of Kyuki-do, and trying not to walk away from exuberant games of Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza with bruises on his hands.

When time allows, taking in a show or concert and travel are sure fire ways of recharging the batteries. Recent destinations include Bar Harbor, ME, Keystone, CO, and Switzerland.

Family of four standing outdoors in front of an ornate, rusted gate with autumn foliage in the background. The family includes designer David Starke and his spouse, their daughter and their son, all smiling and posing for the photo.
A young girl with brown hair looking into a mirror while an adult, partially visible in the foreground, shaves a man with glasses using an electric razor. The man is shirtless, and the scene is illuminated by a warm light.
Two smiling people, a man and a woman, taking a selfie on a snowy mountain with rugged peaks and clouds in the sky in the background. They are dressed in winter gear including sunglasses, hats, and jackets, and appear to be enjoying a snowy outdoor adventure.

Main Image: David with his spouse Ashley, daughter Sophie, and son Miles in October 2024.
Left Image: Sophie focused on trimming David’s beard in March 2020.
Right Image: David and Ashley atop the Klien Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland, August 2023.