Today we’d like to introduce you to Jan Miller.
Hi Jan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve pretty much had a pencil or paintbrush in my hand since I could walk. In high school, I was the art kid who lived in the studio — but nearly flunked computer class. Irony, right?
After graduation, I spent several years climbing the retail management ladder, mostly in the music industry. It sounded cool at first — until I realized I was trading creativity for chaos and long hours for low pay.
In 1996, I hit reset and went back to school, enrolling in a tech program that crammed four years of college into two — all while working full-time. Sleep was optional. But the hustle paid off: before I even graduated, I was recruited by a design company in Lake Forest, CA, where I got my first real taste of the design world.
By 2000, I leapt into the entertainment industry at a Burbank company doing DVD animation and programming. It was a wild ride — I met people like Anthony Michael Hall and worked on projects like Unlocking the Da Vinci Code, The Puppet Master Series, and other titles that still pop up in the DVD collections of die-hard fans.
After five fast-paced years, I decided to take the leap and start my own design business. My early clients were mostly in entertainment — DVD wraps, movie posters, key art — and I worked on projects like The World Magic Awards and The Hollywood Christmas Parade. I originally named my company 2113 Graphics, but everyone kept reading it as “twenty-one-thirteen.” So in 2010, I made it official and rebranded as 21-13 Impact Graphics — stronger, cleaner, and far more memorable.
Then came the 2007–2008 crash, which hit the indie film industry hard. I pivoted into branding and identity design for small to mid-sized businesses — a shift that ended up redefining my entire direction.
By 2017, 21-13 had expanded into printing, web design, promotional materials, and marketing. That growth turned the company into a full-service creative powerhouse — the go-to partner for design that not only looks great but works.
When COVID hit in 2020, while many businesses slowed down, we kicked into high gear. The “Great Exodus” saw countless people launching new ventures, and we were right there to help bring their brands to life. In late 2023, I was invited to become a judge for a major design industry award — a full-circle moment from winning awards to judging them.
Today, 21-13 Impact Graphics, Inc. is charging into an exciting new era. We’re merging over two decades of design expertise with modern technology and bold creative strategy to help brands make an impact that lasts. From stunning visual branding to dynamic digital storytelling, we’re redefining what it means to stand out.
And because creativity never stops evolving, we’re thrilled to announce the launch of our newest venture — THE GLASSS LEASH — a brand that blends artistry, craftsmanship, and personality into unique, handcrafted creations. We take your Images of your pets and turn them into a dynamic images and print the final piece on Glass. It’s a passion project turned business, and just one more way we’re proving that design, when done with heart, truly has no limits.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
(Laughing) Oh, absolutely not — this business has never been a straight, easy ride. In the design world, it’s feast or famine, and sometimes both in the same week. It’s a wild roller coaster — thrilling, terrifying, and oddly addictive.
The biggest challenge? Constantly finding new business. Every day there’s a shiny new app, platform, or program promising to deliver millions of clients to your doorstep. Friends and family swear they’ve found the “best tool ever” that changed their lives, while every networking event introduces another SEO or IT expert ready to tell me I’ve been doing everything wrong — but don’t worry, their way is the “right” way.
Here’s the truth: there is no one right way. Success isn’t a straight line — it’s trial, error, caffeine, and pure stubbornness. You test things that flop, and you try things that surprise you. The key is not being afraid to fail, because failure is just the price of getting better.
There have been weeks where I’ve been sick with worry, wondering how to keep things going or what to try next. But every morning, I get up, reset, and figure it out. Good day or bad day, you keep pushing forward. Because without the struggles, there are no wins — and honestly, the highs wouldn’t feel nearly as good without the hard climbs that came before them.
And that’s the heart of 21-13 Impact Graphics, Inc. — resilience, creativity, and evolution. Every challenge has pushed us to expand, innovate, and think bigger. That same spirit is fueling our latest adventure: The Glass Leash
— a new brand born from creativity, craftsmanship, and the joy of making something truly unique. Because whether it’s branding, design, or handcrafted artistry, our mission stays the same: keep creating, keep growing, and always make an impact.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m the founder and lead designer at 21-13 Impact Graphics, Inc., where I’ve been turning ideas into visuals for over 20 years—basically, I make things look good so my clients can take all the credit. I specialize in branding, custom graphic design, and visual storytelling—think of me as a creative translator for the ideas your audience didn’t even know they needed.
I’m most proud of being able to take chaos and turn it into clarity, whether it’s a last-minute event flyer or a full-blown branding overhaul. Clients often say my designs “pop,” but I like to think it’s a combination of experience, creativity, and just enough caffeine.
What sets me apart? I don’t do cookie-cutter designs. I make work that’s custom, memorable, and maybe even a little fun—because life’s too short for boring graphics. And yes, I can make a spreadsheet look exciting… kind of.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can work with me in a few ways:
Hire me for design projects: From branding and logos to social media graphics and event materials, I create custom designs tailored to your needs.
Collaborate on creative ventures: I love teaming up with other creatives, marketers, or business owners to bring big ideas to life.
Support my work: Sharing my work, referring clients, or even just sending a kind word goes a long way. I thrive on connection and community—and every little bit helps keep creativity flowing.
Basically, if you have a design challenge, a wild idea, or even just a curiosity about how we could work together, reach out! I promise I don’t bite—unless you offer coffee.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.21-13impactgraphics.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2113impactgraphics/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-miller-09960a97/
- Youtube: https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UC-lagP2RwVZkgNudLGIpyMg/videos/upload?filter=%5B%5D&sort=%7B%22columnType%22%3A%22date%22%2C%22sortOrder%22%3A%22DESCENDING%22%7D
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/21-13-impact-graphics-irvine?dd_referrer=
