Sean J Klassen



Hello, my name is Sean. I’m a creative director, designer, and musician. On weekdays, I helm the creative discipline at Mercury where I help teams connect the dots between brand, product, and marketing across all mediums. On nights and weekends, I make arcane pop music under the name Former Lives.
            I’m driven by an endless curiosity for our world and its potential. My background in sociology strengthens my understanding of people, how we think, and how our environments affect how we show up in the world—including the workplace. I believe in fostering inclusive environments where the best ideas drive progress, not the most powerful voices in the room. Where we can collaboratively do work that makes us proud, sustainably.

Previously, I was creative director at Instrument, where I directed and managed designers and writers on a team that helped Google improve their brand and products, communicate philanthropic initiatives, and define a vision for the future. My work there has patents pending for AI-driven software innovations (like US20230169967A1). I also designed Instrument’s first company-wide internship program and a recurring community outreach program with public schools in Portland, OR.
            I cut my teeth working at a variety of design agencies and startups—including starting my own that was inspired by the DIY spirit of bands like Fugazi.