Mikel Tan of Los Angeles on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Mikel Tan. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Mikel, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
One thing that helps bring me joy lately is my kids. Whether it’s a school project they show me or using their logic to solve a little problem with something at home, i’m impressed by how their brains process day to day tasks.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a product and brand designer with a background in web design, and I spend most of my time creating digital experiences that feel clear, intuitive, and visually intentional. I love taking complex ideas and turning them into simple, human-friendly interfaces and brand stories.

My work sits at the intersection of design, strategy, and storytelling—I’m always thinking about how a product looks, how it works, and how it makes people feel. Lately I’ve been focused on building cohesive brand systems and UI libraries that help teams move faster and present their ideas with confidence.

At the end of the day, I’m all about thoughtful design that actually solves problems, feels good to use, and leaves a lasting impression.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that really shaped how I see the world was early in my design journey, when I realized that people don’t just respond to how something looks—they respond to how it makes them feel. I was working on a small web project at the time, and I watched someone interact with it in real time. The way they lit up at something simple I’d built made me realize that design isn’t decoration—it’s communication, clarity, and emotion.

That experience changed the way I approach everything. Now I pay closer attention to the small details, the invisible decisions, and the human side of the work. It taught me that good design can genuinely shift someone’s experience, even in small ways, and that’s been a guiding perspective ever since.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one thing to my younger self, it would be: trust your pace. You don’t have to have everything figured out right away, and the things that feel uncertain now are actually shaping your voice, your style, and your confidence. Keep exploring, keep creating, and don’t rush the process—your path makes sense even when you can’t see the whole picture yet.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. The older I get, I feel the wiser I have become. The clarity I have now of my self image and how it is perceived by others is very much defined. What you see is what you get with me. This is why I value my inner circle of trusted friends & family. I’m at peace with knowing who I am and what I represent as a person. It could be my family values, my relationship with my family, or my outlook on the world.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
A story I hope people tell about me when I’m gone is that I was a caring, supportive, and that I prioritized the people I love the most. Also, I hope that people recognized that I was a great father and husband who provided well for his family. I want my kids to remember me with how much time and effort I put into their lives and that my wife remembers me for how much I supported her in living out her dream career.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.crayoncrate.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crayoncrate
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066851504095

Image Credits
Rick Palma