Who: Katie Kirk and Nathan Strandberg
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Website: Eight Hour Day

Katie and Nathan are a husband-and-wife team who tackle any design problem that heads their way, from packaging to identity to websites and more. Katie even has a children’s book on the way. If their names and faces seem familiar, it’s because they were the cover models for the June 2010 issue of HOW magazine. EHD turned just five this year, but their work displays much more maturity. Old souls, them.

After I finished grad school and moved to the Twin Cities, I started introducing myself to every small design shop in the area. I met a ton of great people, and at Katie and Nathan’s studio I also got to meet Eli, their wonderful dog who is featured in Katie’s aforementioned children’s book. Warm and generous, these two (three) are an inspiration not just for their amazing, award-winning design work, but also for their spirit and outlook. I never saw a project of theirs I didn’t like!