2005 Graphic Design Tech grads thrive at Creative Color in Bloomington
Brent Luther and Branden Luther are 36-year-old fraternal twins who look nearly identical. Both Brent and Branden graduated from Dakota County Technical College in 2005 with Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees in Graphic Design Technology and Applied Visual Arts. Both were home-schooled and both continued on to become PSEO students at Alexandria Technical & Community College.
Brent started his own company, Creative Color, with a partner, Jeffrey Volino, in 2003. Located in Bloomington, Minnesota, Creative Color specializes in large-format printing, branded environments, graphic design, vehicle wraps, signs, tradeshow displays, banners, apparel design, full-print production and more.
In August 2018, Branden joined his brother at Creative Color after a nearly 13-year career as a senior graphic designer at Winsted Corporation, a global leader in control room consoles.
“I needed Branden at Creative Color,” Brent said. “I knew having my brother here would work. I knew it would be like having a clone of me.”
“I absolutely loved working for Winsted—now a client of Creative Color, however, I needed the freedom to grow more as a designer and work on more diverse projects,” Branden added. “Creative Color has given me this opportunity. Working with my twin brother is a lot of fun, and we work so well together.”
When we purchased our centrally located 22,000/sf building in Minneapolis in the spring of 2017, designing an atmosphere in which Creativity could flourish was at the top on our agenda.
Our comfortable space includes a modern design studio, optimized print production space, huge vehicle wrap bay, expansive sign production department, and full carpentry division.
We take a great deal of pride presenting our customers with the very best experience in the industry from start to finish. We provide a relaxed creative environment that allows for effective collaboration through the entire design and fabrication process.
Our versatile space gives us the capacity to take on projects of any size and complexity with confidence assuring our clients the best results. Our creative team thrives in a high energy passionate environment where unique ideas flow freely without limitations.
Today, Brent is the owner and creative director of Creative Color. Branden is a project manager who also focuses on graphic-design projects and high-end photography; he’s also exploring doing more video assignments. Their father, Bruce, also works at the company, handling sign fabrication. Their mother, Lynette, has always strongly supported Brent and Branden in their design careers. She recognized their interest in art even at an early age.
Brent and Branden have three brothers, Brandt, 33, Brayden, 11, and Alejandro, 11. Branden’s wife, Emily, is a registered nurse (RN). Branden and Emily have two Maine coon cats, a 10-year-old male named Cooper and a 6-month-old male named Tocho. Branden was surprised to learn his DCTC News interviewer owned a pumi (a Hungarian herding dog) named Tocho, which is Hopi for “mountain lion.”
“I told my wife about your dog having the same name,” Branden later reported. “I couldn’t get over that it’s such a random name.”
Branden’s extended family is larger by two, a niece and nephew, thanks to his twin brother.
“My beautiful wife, Katherine, graduated from the DCTC Interior Design program,” Brent said. “We have two children, our clone-baby son, Zaiden, age six, and our bighearted, wildcat daughter, Aylin, age four. We also have a three-year-old St. Bernard called Maverick.”
(left to right) Tocho the Maine coon, Zaiden and Brent at age 3, Maverick the St. Bernard
Graphic Design Technology at DCTC prepares you to explore, plan, design and produce visual solutions to graphic design communications problems. Graphic designers work to discover the most effective way to communicate in print, Web and interactive media. You will develop skills and knowledge in design concepts, typography, layout, illustration, animation, Web content and computer software to create graphic designs for a variety of purposes.
The program offers a Graphic Design Technology 70-credit A.A.S. degree along with two related awards, a 60-credit Marketing Design Specialist A.A.S. degree and a 46-credit Marketing Design Specialist diploma.
Looking back on his education at DCTC, Brent Luther remains impressed by the quality of his instructors, Bruce Huff, Pete Skoro, Connie Larson, Mary Belanger, Bara Arens and Gwen Partin. He is undecided about pursuing more schooling in his field.
“Nothing is planned currently,” he said. “I am too consumed with running my business. For fun, perhaps some painting classes to learn new techniques. I’ve always wanted to learn another language. I have been very interested in learning more about video, which has been a new element we’ve been working on at Creative.”
In his free time, Brent enjoys riding bike, painting, sailing, German cars and listening to music. He resides with his family in West Bloomington.
Brent Luther • Q & A
Why did you choose graphic arts and printing as your career path? Since I was little, I always had a pencil or drawing utensil in my hand. As I grew older, I really embraced technology and really loved bringing thoughts from my mind to the computer.
What did you like best about the DCTC Graphic Design Technology program? The teachers were awesome, knowledgeable and really taught you the fundamentals to make every student shine in their own style. They didn’t force me to design what they thought was how things should look and feel.
What is the most challenging aspect of creating vinyl wraps? The client. Every person is different and has a different idea in their head. Sometimes, you need to blow them away with an idea they didn’t think about, or perhaps bring an idea they had to life in your own way.
What is one thing every small business owner should know? Work hard, VERY hard; it’s not an 8-to-5 job—it’s your livelihood. If you want to be successful, you have to be extremely driven and good at what you do. I think your passion for your trade needs to show in your quality of work. Love what you do.
Three words that describe you as a graphic artist:
CREATIVE. PRECISE. DIVERSE.
What type of project do like doing the most in your studio? Branded environments—where we get to bring an office or studio to life. Creating full-color wall murals, signs, displays with different mediums together that really changes the setting of the space. It’s always fun to get to work on neat sports cars with custom livery as well since I’m a huge car enthusiast.
What is your greatest strength as a graphic artist? To be able to take people’s thoughts or my own thoughts into a creative visual design that sets them apart. I am really diverse—I call it chameleon design—as everybody is different, they like different things, they are in different industries, are different ages, etc. I can design for any outfit or medium.
Where do you see graphic arts heading in the future? It’s always evolving just like the fashion industry. Modern, clean…will evolve to perhaps a more edgy design. I personally like to use color as much as possible. It’s important to always see the trends and stay fresh, however, you need to understand some designs are timeless.
One word that best describes your experience at DCTC: FLOURISH.
Brent Luther • 12 Answers
Favorite sport or physical activity: Riding bike
Place you would most like to visit: Austria, the motherland, Germany, and Japan (Oops, I listed three.)
The most exciting thing you’ve ever done: Other than the typical things that tip the top (getting married, having kids, building my company, etc.), a memory stands out, doing FAST things in a Porsche 918 with my twin behind me in another Porsche 918, keeping up.
First thing you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: Like everyone, really take care of my friends and family!
Favorite TV show you’re watching now: Grand Tour
Best movie you’ve seen lately: Lost in Translation
One thing you most want to accomplish in life: I just want to be successful in life with my family and work.
Your national bird if you could have one: CAWWWW! What’s better than a bald eagle?
Dream occupation: I’m in it, however, it would be nice to have less stress and more free time. 🙂
Person you would most like to meet: Brandon Boyd—he’s always been an artistic and musical inspiration.
Skill you would most like to learn and master: I’d sure like to be a much better surfer.
Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Hard to list one, however, failing to protect mother Earth and her creatures disturbs me the most.
Creative Color Studio gallery
Alumnus Spotlight: Branden Luther
Branden Luther
After 12-plus years working as a graphic designer dedicated to a single brand identity, Branden Luther welcomes the daily challenge of working on a diverse range of projects presented by many different clients.
“I plan on working at Creative Color with my twin brother for the rest of my professional career,” Branden said.
His future education plans include expanding his skill set as a videographer. When he’s not working, Branden enjoys traveling, playing guitar, photography, motorcycles and cars, hiking, biking and visiting craft breweries. Branden and Emily reside in Bloomington.
Branden Luther • Q & A
Why did you choose graphic arts and printing as your career path? I’ve always enjoyed being creative. Even as kids, my bro and I were always drawing or painting. Career-wise, graphic design gave me the path to create and design while making a living doing it. It was very important to me to be passionate everyday with what I do.
What did you like best about the DCTC Graphic Design Technology program? The teachers were outstanding. They were very knowledgeable in what they taught and were excited to pass their knowledge on to excited young minds wanting to get into the field.
What is the most challenging aspect of designing a logo? Complete freedom to design is an artist’s favorite client, but unfortunately it’s not always a common occurrence. Most of the time, the client has a pretty good direction, but when they don’t, it can be challenging and time consuming.
What is one thing every graphic artist should know? You need to be passionate about your work, but also have a thick skin. You might love what you created, but it doesn’t mean the client always will.
Three words that describe you as a graphic artist:
FUN. UNIQUE. CREATIVE.
What type of project do like doing the most in your studio? Logo work and photography.
What is your greatest strength as a graphic artist? My ability to look inside a client’s brain and create what they’re envisioning. It’s not always an easy task!
Where do you see graphic arts heading in the future? I don’t think print will ever go away, but I do see a lot more digital ad work and video being done as monitors and TVs go away and screens become open walls and projectors. I also see the mouse going away and people using hand gestures and such when designing. There could be major influences from all the sci-fi shows I love to watch! LOL!
One word that best describes your experience at DCTC: I can’t describe DCTC in one word. It was a wonderful college with outstanding teachers. I would recommend DCTC to anybody wanting to go into the graphic design field.
Branden Luther • 12 Answers
Favorite sport or physical activity: Biking (love two wheels)
Place you would most like to visit: Mars (hopefully, I get to see that in my lifetime. LOL!)
The most exciting thing you’ve ever done: Traveling and seeing the great outdoors is always the most exciting thing I ever get to do. Hiking, climbing, biking, camping is my fav way to experience it.
First thing you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: I’d give a lot away to my friends and family, and do a lot more traveling. I’m sure I’d have a new German sports car in the garage, too. 😉
Favorite TV show you’re watching now: The Expanse
Best movie you’ve seen lately: Tron Legacy
One thing you most want to accomplish in life: Having a family and creating a full life of experiences and memories.
Your national bird if you could have one: Phoenix—those are real, right?
Dream occupation: Top gun instructor at Miramar 😉 or a close second, photographer and graphic artist for National Geographic
Person you would most like to meet: I would have loved to have met Robin Williams.
Skill you would most like to learn and master: Obviously, other than nunchuck skills…I’d love to become a helicopter pilot.
Most important issue or problem facing humankind: I think overpopulation, pollution and overconsumption of natural resources are going to really affect us in the future. We as a species need to look at the world differently or there won’t be anything left for the next generations.
Place you would most like to visit: Austria, the motherland, Germany, and Japan (Oops, I listed three.)
Your national bird if you could have one: CAWWWW! What’s better than a bald eagle?
Place you would most like to visit: Mars (hopefully, I get to see that in my lifetime. LOL!)
Your national bird if you could have one: Phoenix—those are real, right?
