Originally published on January 02, 2020.
Mitch Grimshaw, a native of Enoch, Utah, is a web designer in the communications, marketing, and media department for Leavitt Group Enterprises, one of the top privately-held insurance brokerages in the nation.
“Primarily, I design and build websites for our insurance agencies to connect them with their clients,” he says of his work, which also entails helping create the look and feel of the Leavitt Group brand. “I work closely with clients every day and try to make sure my designs meet their needs.”
Even though Mitch has always enjoyed art and being creative, he never imagined he could make a living at it. But thanks to a good (and very persuasive) friend, Mitch went back to school and gave graphic design a try.
“I knew within the first week that it was what I wanted to do,” he says. “And I never looked back!”
At SUU, Mitch received training in both graphic design and web development, a skill set he calls “unique” but one that has proven to be valuable in his career. He also credits SUU with teaching him that there is always more to learn.
“A degree is a couple of rungs on a ladder of long-long learning,” he explains. “My field is changing with new technologies and strategies and I keep learning to stay on top of my craft; I love to learn.”
Mitch feels a great sense of satisfaction when he sees his work out “in the wild,” and particularly enjoys seeing the SUU Outdoors program take off like it has because he designed the logo when SUU was originally positioning itself as an active, outdoors, national parks-focused university.
“A day doesn’t pass that I don’t see that logo somewhere; on a sticker, shirt or on Instagram,” he says. “Seeing my work being used and enjoyed always makes me smile.”
He was also part of a small group of design students who worked with fellow English students on the publication of SUU’s Kolob Canyon Review, which garnered national attention from the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA). Mitch says that of all his campus experiences, this is the one that helped him grow the most as a creative thinker and prepared him for his career.
Mitch lives in Cedar City, and likes to explore the great landscapes of southern Utah. He also enjoys being creative (drawing and painting) and solving problems (creating designs, logos, and brands), and regularly attends Forever Red on the Upper Quad during SUU Homecoming Week.
