We’re excited to welcome (back!) Mia Lee (she/her), our newest Senior Designer. Mia grew up in Chicago, attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for costume design and the University of Illinois at Chicago for theater production. She originally joined us in March, 2019, where she began as an interdisciplinary designer and quickly proved to be out-of-this-world.
Over the years, she’s worked closely with brands like Nike, Jordan Brand, McDonalds, The Fader Magazine, Dazed Magazine — all while honing skills across illustration, UX, animation, street art, and more.
After moving out to Los Angeles, she’s come back to Chicago (and Clique) with a new pup in tow. We’re so excited to have her back on the team! Here’s a bit more from our conversation.
How does it feel being back so far?
I feel like I never left! I jumped right back into everything. The first Slack message was a meme, so I was immediately back into my regular groove. It’s been great! I missed everyone so much. It’s a great group of humans at Clique, so I’m just really grateful to be back with them.
What brought you to Clique again?
Before I started at Clique, I had never done any UX/UI design before. And when I left Clique, I stopped doing that type of design, and I was like, “I miss it so much!”
I still keep in touch with most people at Clique, so when I saw the job post on Instagram, I thought: Should I apply? I didn’t want to give anyone a heads up. I just wanted to submit it regularly, and I guess it worked. Also again, a great group of humans there, can’t stress that enough. Well, I can stress it enough, but that’s how the saying goes.
What does your ideal weekend look like?
I try not to do any type of work on a weekend. During quarantine, I got a puppy named Papa. I bought a remote control Lamborghini, and because I don’t like to run around with Papa, (he’s too energetic for me) I just have him chase the remote control car. I can do that all day.
How I imagine Mia’s weekends
What kind of dog is Papa?
Papa’s a rescue pit bull with a little American Bulldog. I got him the day after Thanksgiving.
Papa and my quarantine puppy, J.D., should be friends.
Final meal…?
A burger. I’m a simple girl.
Anything on it?
I like a brioche bun, muenster cheese, bacon, lettuce, maybe some ketchup. A nice piece of meat. Slightly toasted, maybe a little butter on top, brushed lightly. And pickles.
Ummm I would go to Mia’s burger shop…
Favorite candy?
Gummy worms. I buy them literally every day.
And any book you’ve recommended lately??
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk. It helps you make sure you pay attention to the signs that your body gives you, the signs that we kind of overlook because we’re moving so fast. That’s a good book to keep around.
Do you have any irrational fears?
Windmills. Any type. I don’t like them. And I don’t like pitchforks.
So stay away from the Holland countryside, got it.
Last question—by the end of 2021 I want to _______?
Be fully moved back to Chicago! I hate moving, and I want to be there for good. I’m excited to create a space that I can really grow in and make it my own, knowing that I don’t ever want to move again. Especially across the country. I actually leave in a few days.
We couldn’t be happier to have Mia back on our Design Team (and in Chicago!). She’s already found her rhythm, and we’re looking forward to meeting Papa in our #FurryFriendFriday Slack channel!
