Managing Director, BasedOn Brand Strategy and Identity Design
Matt Clayson is the Managing Director of BasedOn, a leading brand strategy and identity design studio in Detroit. As Managing Director, Matt is responsible for defining studio objectives that are actionable and measurable, while guiding the studio team to achieving success. He brings interdisciplinary brand experience to the table through his brand development and brand activation work with Shinola, MotorTrend, JD Power, Time, Inc., US News and World Report, United Way for Southeast Michigan, Design Core Detroit and the National Football League. Also a licensed attorney, he has advised on digital strategy and legal compliance for The Coca‑Cola Company, Adidas, Cathay Pacific Airlines, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Microsoft and Facebook.
Matt graduated from Michigan State University’s Honors and James Madison Colleges, receiving degrees in International Relations and Political Theory, and a specialization in Western European Relations. He completed coursework on the formation and structures of the European Union and NATO at the Université Libre de Bruxelles. He received his Juris Doctor from Wayne State University School of Law, and is a proud recipient of the German Marshall Fund’s Marshall Memorial Fellowship and an active member of BMW Foundation’s Responsible Leadership Network, the Crystal Community Ski Club at Crystal Mountain and the Michigan Design Council.