World class brands and lo-fi bands, entrepreneurs and raconteurs, cultural institutions and craftsmen alike work with us because of our inventive thinking, classic design sense, abundance of facial hair, and our honest approach to the business of image making.
Smart and Pretty.
We make stuff. For you. For your brand. For ourselves.
History
For over 15 years, Jason Kernevich and Dustin Summers have been working together as The Heads of State. Throughout their careers, they’ve created an award-winning mix of design and illustration for a diverse and impressive list of clients. Their recognizable combination of bold imagery and smart visual thinking has elevated iconic brands, well-loved bands, books, packaging, hot-button issues, small businesses, cultural institutions, and urban experiences. They lecture frequently about their work and process and teach graphic design and illustration at Tyler School of Art where they both studied.
Capabilities
We’re a principal-driven studio. That means you work directly with us and that’s the way we like it. We’ve stockpiled plenty of awards on our shelves and tricks up our sleeves and we’ve done so by handling all of the ins and outs of projects big and small. From strategy to naming, logos to ligatures. You name it. We’re our happiest when we’re doing a lot of different things. We’ve also been around long enough to know that this business is about people and relationships as much as it is about color and type. Still reading? Ok. Good. Let’s get to work.
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The Team
Jason Kernevich
Principal, Creative Director
Jason is always thinking. About projects, songs, and tacos. His ancestors were coal miners and fishermen and he misses the rivers and streams of his youth. When he's not designing or writing, he's chopping garlic and listening to baseball on the radio.
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Dustin Summers
Principal, Creative Director
Dusty reads too much and shaves too little. He likes non-fiction, Lean epics, 3-4 defenses and Levon Helm. He's never heard of Gillette, and doesn't care much for wine. He plays dad, husband, and second line center.
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Kara Weintraub
Senior Designer
After a stint in the Big Apple, Kara returned to her roots in Philadelphia to continue her love of branding. When not designing, Kara is a plant lady, type nerd, list-maker, and turtleneck enthusiast.
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Ksenia Agres
Designer
Ksenia comes from the cold, distant lands of the Russian Empire and possesses existential cooking techniques. She is also partial to Japanese fast food and Danish furniture. Or is it the other way around?
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Brandon Wherley
Designer
Brandon is a bit of a neat freak who grew up near cornfields and forests. He nobly attempts to embrace city life. He considers himself an animal lover, nature enthusiast, and a connoisseur of potato chips.
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