MIKE TOMKO
Creative Director / Owner

Mike was born in Dayton, Ohio, lived in Dayton, Eastlake, Euclid, etc... and in 1981, during 5th grade, moved to Arizona. Mike graduated from Peoria High in '90 while doing time at Glendale Community College during his junior and senior years at Peoria.

Mike moved north to attend Northern Arizona University where he graduated in 1994 with a BFA from the School of Communications. Shortly after, Mike moved up to Benicia, CA to take on the role of designer for Verb Design and Advertising. Specializing in action sports, Mike's love of snow, skate and surf was further nurtured while designing snowboards, bodyboarding magazine, brochures, ads, logos and the like. This wasn't just work and fun, but a serious design development time for Mike. Not only did he leave with more knowlege and a killer portfolio, but he created strong friendships during his two years there.

Mike moved back to Arizona to work for CFD, one of the most recognized firms in Arizona at the time. The work was for larger corporate clients, as well as the professional sports teams in Arizona. Another growing period in Mikes constant pursuit of design excellence. After working at CFD for just shy of 5 years, Mike struck off on his own. With the Nocturnal Project already a year underway, he worked for the first time with his own personal client base. The Nocturnal Project turned into Tomko Design in 2005 and has grown into a studio space in the Central Cooridor just north of downtown Phoenix. Mike continues to develop as a designer and a studio owner and looks forward to working with and meeting interesting people and clients.

FOUNDED TOMKO DESIGN:
August 2005

IF I DIDN'T LIVE HERE:
I'd live somewhere I could surf, snowboard, skateboard, play soccer, hang out with my wife, pets, all my friends and family and be outside year round.

IF I WAS AN ANIMAL:
I'd be a chili cheese dog

I'M INSPIRED BY:
People who care for the world around them and push the envelope of whatever business model they're in and know how to live their life.

I'M LISTENING TO:
Years Around the Sun and People in Planes

SONG THAT WAS WRITTEN ABOUT ME:
"Battery Check" - Millencolin

FAVORITE MOVIE:
Be Kind Rewind

INSPIRATIONAL BOOK:
I Am America (And So Can You!) – Stephen Cobert

BEST ADVICE I'VE BEEN GIVEN:
Rule #1: Watch where you're going. (my dad)

THE BEST TIME OF YEAR IS:
Spring.

IS THIS A STUPID QUESTION:
Depends on who you ask.

I TEND TO BLOW MONEY ON:
Toys for Frankie Beans (my dog), music, sunglasses, t-shirts, magazines and design books.

LIZ TOMKO
Accounting / Marketing

Liz was born in New Mexico and was raised as a gymnast. She moved with her family to Australia at the age of 12 where she attended high school in the outback before moving to the beautiful coast and working as a buyer/manager of a men's clothing store.

Liz decided to move back to the US at age 19 so she could go to college. This decision brought her to Lubbok, Texas where she attended Texas Tech University. After graduating in 1997 with a BFA in Design, she moved to Arizona and began her career as a graphic designer.

Her professional career took her from the M. Group, CFD and Fervor to P.S. Studios in the course of 8 years. More recently, Liz got her Master's Degree in Counseling with a Specialty in Expressive Arts Therapy. Her focus is on opening a non-profit to help foster children. She also enjoys spending time working at Tomko Design as the accountant.

IF I DIDN'T LIVE HERE:
Australia, again.

IF I WAS AN ANIMAL:
A soaring bird

I'M INSPIRED BY:
Balloons

I'M LISTENING TO:
The radio

SONG THAT WAS WRITTEN ABOUT ME:
"Imagine" - John Lennon

FAVORITE MOVIE:
Point Break

INSPIRATIONAL BOOK:
Anything by Irvin Yalom

BEST ADVICE I'VE BEEN GIVEN:
Stay true to yourself

THE BEST TIME OF YEAR IS:
When you can sit in the sun to eat lunch

IS THIS A STUPID QUESTION:
No question is ever stupid

I TEND TO BLOW MONEY ON:
Gum