From One-Person Studio to Digital Marketing Leader

Since founding Back40 Design in 2000, Dave has guided the agency’s growth from a one-person design studio into a full-service web and digital marketing firm serving Oklahoma and clients nationwide. His leadership blends creative craftsmanship, clear communication, and practical business strategy, helping clients turn ideas into results and brands into long-term assets.

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Dave Miller, Founder and President of Back40 Design with Best of Interactive Gold Addy Award
Back40 Design wins Best of Interactive at the OKC ADDY Awards for their work on the Water4 Impact Report
Two men are sitting and talking in a modern office waiting area.
Sales Strategy Meeting at the 5th Street Back40 office in 2016

Entrepreneurial Experience That Shapes Strategy

As a lifelong entrepreneur, Dave understands the challenges business owners face, including budget constraints, time pressure, growth goals, and the need for marketing that actually works.

Beyond Back40 Design, Dave is also:
  • Founder & Publisher of Edmond Outlook Magazine (and write a monthly column: In Other Words with Dave)
  • A longtime small business owner with hands-on experience in operations, marketing, and leadership
  • A trusted advisor to organizations navigating growth, branding, and digital change

Dave’s experience as a syndicated cartoonist and publisher reinforces his belief that strong brands are built through consistent voice, clear messaging, and audience connection. Whether through a comic strip, a magazine, or a website, the goal is the same: communicate effectively and earn attention through authenticity.

This entrepreneurial mindset ensures Back40 doesn’t just “build websites,” the team helps clients make smart decisions that support long-term success.

Leadership Philosophy

Dave’s leadership style is built on three core principles:

Clear Communication

Strong projects come from listening first, explaining clearly, and setting realistic expectations.

Craftsmanship & Accountability

Quality matters. Every project reflects Back40’s reputation and the trust clients place in the team.

Service to Clients & Community

Business is about people. Long-term relationships matter more than quick wins.

This philosophy has resulted in hundreds of long-term client partnerships – many spanning 10, 15, and even 20+ years.

Three people look over documents at a table.

A Foundation in Graphic & Communication Arts

Dave’s career began in graphic arts and visual communication, where design was never just about aesthetics, it was about clarity, storytelling, and purpose.

His background spans:
  • Graphic design and layout
  • Branding and identity systems
  • Print and digital publishing
  • Visual storytelling and messaging

In addition to his design work, Dave is a nationally – and internationally – syndicated cartoonist.

He created the Dave comic strip, which has been syndicated in newspapers across the U.S. and internationally. The daily feature reflects his ability to communicate ideas, humor, and human experience through concise visual storytelling, a skill that continues to inform Back40’s approach to branding, content, and user experience.

This foundation continues to shape Back40’s work today. Every website, logo, and marketing campaign is built on the belief that design should communicate clearly, build trust, and support real business goals.

Deep Roots in Oklahoma

Dave’s leadership is closely tied to his commitment to Edmond and the Oklahoma City metro.
His community involvement includes:
This local perspective gives Back40 a unique advantage: understanding Oklahoma businesses while applying national-level best practices.
Edmond Outlook Magazine Covers
Four people are collaborating around a laptop in an office setting.

Leading a Team Built for Long-Term Partnerships

Under Dave’s leadership, Back40 Design has intentionally grown as an in-house Oklahoma-based team – designers, developers, marketers, project managers, and support specialists working collaboratively under one roof.

Clients benefit from:
  • Direct access to real people, not outsourced vendors
  • Consistent leadership and accountability
  • A seasoned team possessing long-term web industry experience
Back40’s culture reflects Dave’s belief that the best work happens when teams and clients trust each other.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who leads Back40 Design?

Back40 Design is led by founder and president Dave Miller, who has more than 26 years of experience in graphic arts, communication, entrepreneurship, and digital marketing leadership.

Dave’s background includes graphic design, automotive design, toy design, visual communication, publishing, and small business ownership. He founded Back40 Design in 2000 and Edmond Outlook Magazine in 2005.
Dave understands both creative strategy and business realities. His experience helps clients make informed decisions, avoid common pitfalls, and build websites and marketing systems that support long-term growth.

Does Dave Miller have a background outside of web design and marketing?

Yes. In addition to founding Back40 Design, Dave is a nationally and internationally syndicated cartoonist and the creator of the comic strip Dave. His work in publishing, cartooning, and visual communication strongly influences Back40’s emphasis on storytelling, clarity, and user-focused design.

Local leadership means accountability, accessibility, and market understanding. Clients work with a team that knows Oklahoma’s business environment and is invested in the community.

Back40 combines creative expertise, entrepreneurial insight, and community involvement. Leadership is hands-on, relationship-driven, and focused on results, not trends or shortcuts.