Origin Story

Alright, let’s do this one last time… my name is Michael Estok. I was bitten by a radioactive T-square. And for the last twenty-something years, I’ve been working on websites, apps, and building strong design team-centric teams. 🕸️

I graduated from the School of Visual Arts 🗽 with a degree in fine art. After graduation, I was a production artist of custom, hand-painted wallpaper for a Soho boutique and worked in my alma mater’s library. Besides re-shelving books, I ended up being the person who knew the most about computers and became the de facto help desk. In the little spare time I had, I taught myself HTML and digital design.

Lucky for me, NYC’s nascent Silicon Alley scene provided ample opportunities to learn new things from friends and mentors. I took what I learned in school, my new coding skills, and an interest in human psychology I cobbled together an ever evolving career. I moved from web designer and art director to teacher and user experience designer.

I love creating products that make people’s lives easier.

My Perspective

I’m a liberal, progressive, intersectional feminist. I value transparency, inclusivity, and an anti-racist agenda.

I’m a semi-retired practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Currently, I spend my free time mountain biking on the great trail networks of Pennsylvania. I love to cook and share food with my family and friends. And there‘s a good chance I’m listening to a podcast right now.

My pronouns are he/him/his.

🕸️ Borrowed from the fantastic film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.