Willis and Williams is a full-service, boutique graphic design studio located in the Oleander neighborhood of Bakersfield, CA since 1979. The studio was originally founded as Rainbow Graphics by Mike Willis, a young self-proclaimed hippie who turned his love for art into a graphic design business. Mike’s business continued to grow, and he shifted to a more “professional” moniker — Willis Design Studios. Throughout the years, many talented designers have developed their skills working at Willis Design under the direction of Mike Willis. In 2019, Mike officially became business partners with Jen Williams, who had been working at the studio as a designer and photographer, since 2006. The studio then became known as Willis and Williams to convey the partnership. With over 40 years in business, the work of Mike Willis and his team of graphic designers, portrays a history of our community and the evolution of graphic design. From rub-off type, to the first Macintosh computer… to websites and the iPhone… the studio, and the designers within it, have seen it all. The following images are a retrospective of Willis Design through the years:
The beginning of Willis Design, Mike at his desk circa 1979.
Mike’s first business card as Rainbow Graphics. (1979)
The Calvary Chapel Newsletter team, one of Mike’s first design jobs. (1981)
Mike at his desk, photo by Scott Hislop, circa 1990.
Before computers, these were the tools of the trade.
Notes from early typesetting.
Mike Willis in the 90s.
One of Willis Design’s first computers, complete with AOL!
Same desk, different tech. Photo circa 1990.
Jim Bennett worked as a designer from 1989 – 2000. Here he is in the studio which had a much different look back then.
Screen printing was a big part of Willis Design for several years. Pictured: Shawna Grissom printing circa 1990.
Designer, Alan Urquhart, working on a new (at the time) Bondi Blue iMac computer. He began working for Willis Design in 1999, and is still an integral part of the team today.
Willis Design Studios
Mike co-authored the bestselling web design book Web Pages That Suck published by Sybex books in 1998.
Mike with publishing team and co-author Vincent Flanders. (1997)
He has appeared on several ZDTV shows as well as PBS’s Cybernet Cafe. (1998)
Mike getting camera ready. (1998)
Jen working at her desk in 2013.
The studio with a new sign for Willis and Williams.
The Parakeets of Oleander in the Willis Design Studios garden. Rose-ringed parakeets have roamed wild in the Oleander neighborhood since 1977.
Balloons in the studio for our 40 year celebration. (2019)
The garden at the studio during the 40 year Anniversary party (2019).
Jen Williams interview with local station.
Photo shoot with Kaiser Permanente senior staff.
Alan Urquhart, Jen Williams and Danay Jones at Via Arte 2019.
Jen at work. Studio 2020.
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