Featured image for Studio Spotlight: Modern Dog Studio

Studio Spotlight: Modern Dog Studio

by Gina Angie on 05/23/2012 | 5 Minute Read

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Founded in Seattle Washington in 1987 by Robynne Raye and Michael Strassburger, Modern Dog Design Co. is an internationally acclaimed design studio that creates imaginative, bold and playful design in interactive and print medias. Current and past clients include the Seattle Aquarium, Swatch, Coca-Cola, K2 Snowboards, HarperCollins, Nordstrom, Blue Q, New York Times, Warner Bros. Records, and Shout! Factory. 

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The home we call Modern Dog. We work out of a 1924 Craftsman on a commercial street, about 10 minutes north of downtown Seattle.

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Everyday at 3pm Conan Raye checks for mail.

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Tea Tumblers we designed from a couple of years ago, each with the inscription "I love you" in a different language. Client: Blue Q

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As you walk through the front door, the back side of designer Shogo Ota and intern Chris Koelling is in full view. 

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Co-founder Robynne Raye and Shoreline Community College intern Joey Ellis looking over a batch of business card ideas. (Yes, Joey is a foot taller than Robynne, which is why we tried to crop off his head).

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Cornish College of the Arts intern Chris Koelling working in the living room. All the snowboards were designed for K2 Snowboards in the 1990's but we like to keep them in the front to make people think we are cool.

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Art Institute of Seattle intern Whantai Park takes a break with two dogs on the couch (actually, we told him to pose like that). 

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Hot off the presses and onto our fireplace mantel: Blue Q Liquid Soaps

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Six of the 11 Hand Sanitizers we created for Blue Q. "Maybe You Touched Your Genitals" was Blue Q's top selling product of 2011.

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Co-founder Mike Strassburger hovers over the light box, while Shogo Ota is caught texting where our accountant usually sits (background - we see you Shogo!).

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We like to keep a fresh bowl of gum ready to hand out to all visitors. Gum packaging by Modern Dog, manufactured by Pittsfield based Blue Q. 

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'I'm Not Gay, I Just Really Love Rainbows": magnet set, bumper sticker, coin purse, coasters and car air freshener. Client: Blue Q

After the success of "Naked Men with Oven Mitts" came the much anticipated "Naked Men with Balls". All these guys posed naked for $100. Client: Blue Q

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In 2001 we designed Cat Butts Magnet Set, and from there it was turned into dozens of supporting products. Pictured here are the car air freshener and coasters. Client: Blue Q

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"Almost Cooks Itself!", ramen packaging for Blue Q. Food photography by kathrynbarnardphoto.com

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Product naming and packaging for Olive Green Dog

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Coffee packaging and branding for Keala's Hawaiian "Really Ono" Coffee.

Photography by Joey Ellis and Modern Dog, © Modern Dog Design Co.