About Us
Meet the Team
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Niki Hinkle
Creative / Art Director & Graphic Designer
After nearly 15 years of in-house and agency experience for brands like MIT, Fidelity, and Blue Cross Blue Shield, I’ve developed a real knack for juggling multiple projects and an obsession for problem-solving. I thrive in that little nook where creativity meets purpose, and specialize in helping brands of all sizes communicate complex ideas through compelling visuals.
My journey has granted me deep dives into various sectors including healthcare, higher education, tech/AI, finance, arts, and nonprofits. What truly lights me up is the opportunity to collaborate with the fascinating individuals behind these brands, each bringing their unique perspective to the table. It's these partnerships that inspire and drive my work forward.
While I pride myself on being a resourceful, focused, organizational guru, I firmly believe that empathy and growth are the heartbeat of creativity. You'll often find me diving into a new class, attending a design conference, or scouring the web for the latest trends and inspiration.
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Ryan Hinkle
Producer & Engineer / Motion Artist
As the co-founder of Hink Studios, creativity isn't just a job for me—it's a lifelong commitment. Growing up surrounded by design and music, I fell in love with the power of artistic expression to build connection. My eye for identity design, coupled with my background in music, allows me to approach branding from a truly multidimensional perspective.
Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of working with a wide range of artists and brands. This includes recording sessions with global sensations like Justin Bieber, The Voice and Bastille, co-writing and production for emerging talents, serving as the composer and music coordinator for short films and TV shows, recording and mixing voice-overs for The Travel Channel and Reebok Spartan Race and even contributing as a MIDI programmer for the game Rock Band.
Whether working on a song with an artist or developing a brand identity with a business, I love the challenge of turning ideas into something tangible. My experience with both sight and sound has given me a unique perspective - one that informs every project we take on at Hink.
“What truly lights me up is the opportunity to collaborate with the fascinating individuals behind these brands, each bringing their unique perspective to the table. It's these partnerships that inspire and drive my work forward.”
— Niki
Our Story
Columbus – by way of Boston – originally from Akron
From Middle School Band Geeks to Creative Studio Partners
Ryan and Niki's story began back in 1997 at Goodyear Middle School in Akron, Ohio. What started as a friendship over their shared love for music—both self-proclaimed band geeks—grew into something more as they spent countless hours in the art room at East High School. Those early days were a blur of creativity, from sketching in notebooks to experimenting with music, always dreaming of where their passions could take them.
Fast forward to 2009: an inspired night in a tiny Boston pub. The two found themselves with beers in hand and heads full of ideas, scribbling on the back of a paper placemat about a vision for a creative studio. They were determined to blend their love for both sight and sound—combining the worlds of design and music into something uniquely theirs.
That placemat was just the beginning.
Today, Ryan and Niki are still on that journey. After nearly 20 years in Boston, they have returned to Ohio, have been married for 12 years, have a truly awesome kiddo, and have built a creative life that’s a living, breathing version of their wildest dreams. (Niki even has the middle school diaries to prove it!)
While their personal story has evolved, their creative process remains rooted in collaboration. They’ve always served as each other’s toughest critics, with fresh eyes and ears when the other may be too deep in a project. With different styles, tastes, and ways of working, they constantly push each other to think deeper and create better. This collaborative approach keeps their work fresh and evolving, ensuring they deliver thoughtful, impactful design.
Their studio is more than a business—it’s a passion project that’s been decades in the making, filled with the same energy and excitement from their Boston brainstorm, now infused with the depth and experience they’ve gathered along the way.
“Growing up surrounded by design and music, I fell in love with the power of artistic expression to tell stories and evoke emotions”
— Ryan
Like what you see?
Let’s talk!
If you’d like to talk about a project you have in mind, or are in need of some creative advice, please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.
