When Scott Leisler was figuring out his career path, he was locked in a cranial tussle of sorts between his creative spirit and analytical mind. Scott, who grew up in the mid-’80s on a skateboard, developed an early appreciation for the subculture of art, music and diverse people he encountered as a sidewalk surfer. But Scott was also a good student with an interest in science who graduated early from high school. Rather than taking a year off before college, he enrolled in art classes to pass the time, a decision that would ultimately define his professional trajectory.
"I could have pursued a career in science," he said. "But instead, I embraced the ability to think with both my right and left brain to begin my path in the creative arts, which is just as much about problem solving as it is about design."
His creative journey continued in earnest at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, where he earned degrees in graphic communications, graphic arts and art history. Scott says the experience emboldened his belief that creativity can lead the way in solving unique challenges to make the world a better place.
“The instructors gave us the freedom to find our voice in the work we were doing while at the same time giving us productive, real-world feedback,” he said. “Whenever an UMSL graduate applies for a creative position at Dovetail, I always make the time to check out their work because I respect the caliber of talent that comes from there.”
Dovetail is the specialized St. Louis branding and digital agency where Scott has served as president and chief creative officer for 17 of his 25 years as a creative force to help people and brands overcome whatever obstacles may be in their way. Scott’s agency has been nominated as one of the "Best Marketing and PR Firms" by St. Louis Small Business Monthly for the past two years, and he was named one of Small Business Monthly’s Top 100 People to Know in St. Louis.
