Ocupop
What do you do, this OCUPOP?
We don't even know. Are we Creatives? Graphic designers? Web designers? Maybe web developers? Commercial artists? Trend-spotters? Branding experts? Fashionistas? Computer nerds - Definitely.
We are, simply speaking, two people, with all of the benefits and pit-falls therein. You see what you get; no account executives, no receptionists, no bagels and coffee, in fact, neither of us even drink coffee (Though Jeff does love a good schmear on occasion).
Regardless, if you are looking for switchboards, hold music, synergy, ideation, and enough buzz-words to fill a conference room, we're probably not the ONE. But, if you love what you do and are proud of your company, your product and your employees, chances are we might fit right in. We thrive on relationships of mutual respect, commitment and enjoyment - with our clients, our collaborators and each other; for nearly five years, we have left a wake of satisfied customers and quality work in our path...so drop us a line, because we're OCUPOP, and that's two O's, two P's and YOU! ...see that is the sort of stuff we're talking about, brilliant!
Who We Are
 Jeffrey HamlettBorn and raised in a John Cougar-esque Midwestern town, Jeff grew up always being a little left of the dial. Discovering skateboarding and snowboarding at an early age opened up a world of graphics, art, music, fashion, and (un)popular culture that would eventually guide him to where he is today. He began his education in Fine Art, and upon discovering the Macintosh and World Wide Web, shifted to a degree in Visual Communications. Before forming OCUPOP, he spent 7 years working at a full-time position doing web-based projects and caring for Mac-based technology for the Offices of Publications and Communications at the University of Wisconsin-Madison while managing numerous freelance projects. A passion for building and maintaining a better internet through use of smart, accessible design and technology keeps him current on all of the latest acronyms that make up the World Wide Web. When people ask Jeff what he wanted to do when he grew up he can answer "OCUPOP". And that feels pretty damn good. |
 Michael NielingMichael has a background rooted in both science and art. Following an undergraduate education in Biology and Pre-Medical studies Michael was quick to captilize on his new-found marketability by trading in scalpel and scrubs for shovel and shred-stick, moving to Breckenridge, CO. During what have become termed the "lost" or "dirty" years, increased involvement in the snowboard industry led to multiple opportunies that provided an opportunity for a lifetime of design sensibility to finally mature. A binding here, a board there, a catalog over there, suddenly Michael found himself back at UW-Madison pursuing a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Product Design while maintaining a small marketing and design consultancy. Since graduation, OCUPOP has offered the ideal outlet for his uniquely holistic creative, analytical and entrepreneurial talents; after all, where else could someone develop everything from printed and digital collateral, to environments, interiors and consumer products for dozens of local and national accounts while still riding 50 days a year? |