Director + Website and Production Management

Andrew’s Professional Life

Since I was in grade school I’ve always been interested in two things: computers and art. Coming from a family with an artist and an engineer, I always had lots of opportunities to practice both skills. When I got to college as a Graphic Design major, I quickly learned that all my favorite classes were related to web design.

Fast forward to today, and MJ2 has become the perfect place to exercise both my skill sets. I’m lucky enough to work with a passionate, talented team of designers, developers, writers, and social media specialists, creating attractive and functional digital assets every day. I love the fact that we are able to create websites, digital ads, videos, etc… that are not only aesthetically pleasing and well designed, but are easy to consume and optimized for the latest technology.

Andrew’s Personal Life

When I’m not at work, I love exploring the city with my wife and my friends. The thing I enjoy most is probably exploring our restaurant scene in Columbus. Unfortunately, due to COVID we haven’t haven’t much of a chance to do that in 2020, but on the bright side my cooking skills have really leveled up in the last few months! The “quarantine projects” I’m most proud of include:

• Homemade Oreos
• Homemade Graham Crackers and Marshmallows, combined to make 2/3s homemade S’mores
• Chicken stock from scratch

Q&A with Andrew Bash

What is your favorite thing about working at MJ2?

At MJ2 we really support each other and have each other’s backs. We are able to execute as a team, using all of our various skills to deliver awesome projects to our clients. I love the collaborative environment, and how everyone here really just enjoys working together. It’s the kind of environment that can’t help but shine through in the quality of our work.

What has been your favorite MJ2 project?

That’s a hard question! I think my favorite recent project has been the Epic Group branding and website. Despite less-than-ideal working conditions during the peak of the pandemic, our team was able to come together and collaborate on a complete brand overhaul, including new logo, new brand language, and an awesome new website.

If you could trade skills for a day with another MJ2 team member, who would it be and why?

There’s not a bad answer on this team! But I think I would like to have Megan’s “gift of gab”, as she says, as well as her ability to predict what clients and clients’ customers will want.

How do you stay current in your areas of expertise?

The most important way I stay current is by staying hyper aware of what the rest of the industry is doing. I never want our work to get “stale”, so whether it’s regarding design, development, or social media, I’m always trying to learn from others. I do a lot of reading on various websites and online communities to learn what techniques have worked well for others, and how we might be able to implement them at MJ2. In addition, as social and digital presences become an increasingly important part of our world, I always try to stay on top of how political developments might shape the online space for brands.

What are your top 3 favorite Columbus based companies?

One Line Coffee for the amazing coffee beans and the baristas who will go out of their way to be helpful and answer questions.

Land Grant Brewing for their great drinks, and top notch health precautions at their beer garden during the pandemic.

The Columbus Crew; the greatest team the world has ever seen.

Blue Jackets, Crew, Clippers, or Wild Dogs?

Crew!

What is your favorite relaxing activity?

Waking up unreasonably early to start barbecuing a pork shoulder, followed by watering the flowers in our garden as the sun rises, cup of coffee in hand, smelling the smoker start to warm up.

What are you currently reading?

The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science

What is your motto or personal mantra?

Measure twice, cut once.

How do you take your coffee?

The most pretentious way possible: freshly ground and made with a pour over.

If you were a baseball player, what song would you walk out to?

DNA – Kendrick Lamar

What is your favorite restaurant in Columbus?

There are so many great restaurants, but the one I always find myself going back to is Cornerstone Deli.