Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeffrey Bonsato.
Hi Jeffrey , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Growing up in Hawaiʻi, I was captivated by commercials, logos, and the way colors and images could stir emotion on my vintage Zenith television. I didn’t know what Graphic Design was at the time. I just knew there was intention behind what I was seeing.
So I started drawing.
What began as curiosity slowly became direction. A Graphic Design class in high school showed me that creativity could become more than a hobby. It could become a lifelong calling. That path led me to Honolulu Community College, where I discovered that design isn’t just about making things beautiful. It’s about solving problems, communicating clearly, and serving people with intention.
Like many creatives, confidence didn’t come overnight. I grew up in an immigrant Filipino family where hard work and stability mattered, and there were seasons when I questioned whether pursuing design was the right path.
Around that same time, I joined the U.S. Army Reserves. The military taught me discipline, accountability, and resilience. Qualities that continue to shape how I work today. I began my career as a production artist before growing into an Art Director, eventually leading healthcare campaigns for brands like AbbVie and Janssen. Those experiences reminded me that behind every project is a person, and with every design comes a responsibility to serve them well.
The greatest influence on my journey, though, has been my relationship with God.
I’ve walked through seasons of rejection, uncertainty, and wondering whether I was enough. Looking back, I can see that while I was focused on building a career, God was quietly shaping my character. Today, every project begins with prayer Not because I expect the perfect idea, but because I want my heart to be in the right place before my hands begin creating.
That perspective has changed how I define success. It’s not about recognition or awards. It’s about earning trust, helping people tell their stories, and creating work that reflects excellence, care, and hope.
That’s why I started Missing Link Design. My hope has always been to bridge the gap between ideas and people, vision and purpose. Today, I have the privilege of partnering with businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations across Austin and Hawai‘i to create thoughtful work that helps people feel seen.
One thing Austin has reminded me is how generous the creative community can be. After moving here, I found people who were willing to share advice, introduce me to others, and open doors simply because they believed in building community. This has also led me to collaborate with Mel Lau of small nod design where together we help bring client stories to life in Austin, Hawai‘i and abroad.
I’m still learning, still growing, and I hope I always will. More than being remembered as a designer, I hope I’m remembered as someone who loved God, loved people well, kept his word, and faithfully used the gifts God gave him to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Looking back, I realize the moments that shaped me most weren’t the ones where everything went right. They were the ones that taught me how to keep going.
There have been seasons of unexpected layoffs, closed doors, and quiet moments where I questioned whether I was really meant for this path. Moments where the future felt uncertain and the next step wasn’t clear.
But every time I found myself at a crossroads, I was always led back to creating.
Back to design.
Back to the work that has always felt woven into who I am.
Looking back now, I don’t see those seasons as detours. I see them as part of the journey God was using to shape me. He wasn’t only building my career. He was building my character.
He taught me that perseverance is often formed in waiting. That humility grows when plans don’t unfold the way we expect. That faith isn’t knowing where the road leads. It’s trusting the One who does.
Growing up in an immigrant Filipino family also shaped the way I see work. I watched my parents sacrifice, persevere, and quietly give their best, even when life wasn’t easy. They showed me that character matters just as much as talent, and that the way you make people feel is as important as the work you create.
The Army strengthened my discipline. The creative industry sharpened my craft. But my relationship with God gave me direction.
No matter how many times life asked me to begin again, He always led me back to design. With a little more wisdom, a little more compassion, and a deeper understanding that creativity is about more than making things beautiful. It’s about serving people well.
Today, I’m grateful for every chapter and even the difficult parts of my life. They taught me that a meaningful life isn’t built by avoiding hardship, but by choosing faith, and perseverance through it.
Looking back, I can see that every closed door was quietly leading me toward the next one. What once felt like an ending was often the beginning of something God was already preparing.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an Art Director behind Missing Link Design, specializing in brand development, layout, typography, and concept creation. I focus on building clear, thoughtful design systems that help people tell their story with intention. I’m also a brand identity design at small nod design.
What sets me apart is how I approach the work.
I put God at the center of my process. Before I design, I pray for clarity and direction so I can truly understand the person behind the project. That allows me to connect creativity with purpose. Not just making something look good, but creating something that carries meaning and impact.
I’m known for being reliable, detail-driven, and for over-delivering. If a client asks for a few ideas, I give them more. I care about helping them fully see what’s possible.
What I’m most proud of is the journey. From being a production artist to an Art Director and how God has guided me through every step. It’s shaped how I show up today. To be more grounded, intentional, and focused on serving people through design.
That’s the “Missing Link” I bring. Connecting strong creative work with faith, care, and purpose.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
To never give up when it get really challenging. I can’t change the situation but I can change how I respond from the inside out. Pray, and trust God that he is working for my good and things will happen in the way it’s suppose to be. Still being caring, kind, empathetic, generous and serving others regardless of what I’m going through is what I’ve learned in my journey of life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jeffreybonsato.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missinglinkdesign
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreybonsato
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/smallnoddesign
