Opto Design

Founded by John Klotnia and Ron Louie in 1999, Opto Design entered its 21st year of creativity on April 1, 2020. Tragically, just prior to that anniversary on March 29th, Ron passed away from Covid-19 related illness. Ron's friendship, loyalty and substantial presence will be terribly missed by all of us who were lucky enough to have known him.

Throughout our history, Opto Design has helped numerous companies communicate their unique perspectives. Companies such as PwC's Strategy+Business, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, Ford Foundation, Row New York, The How Institute, New York Public Radio, Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., Bridgehampton's Topping Rose House, Cornell University School of Engineering, Rizzoli Publishing, Rockefeller Archive Center, and Harlem Village Academies, to name a few.

Opto's approach to design is deeply rooted in expressing our client's authenticity and unique voice. Whether that expression is destined for a digital, print, or conversational platform, we center our efforts on strong, consistent brand identity and clarity of messaging.

If you'd like to know more about working with Opto Design or simply want to say hello, contact us via email, klotnia@optodesign.com or by phone at (212-254-4470).

John Klotnia

John Klotnia has helped brand organizations both large and small find their graphic voice. Prior to founding Opto Design, John was an associate partner at Pentagram Design in New York City where he spent 10 years working with design luminaries Woody Pirtle and Peter Harrison. During his 30-plus year career, his expertise in design has been recognized by the American Institute for Graphic Arts, Graphis Press, Communication Arts, The Society for Publication Designers and How Magazine, among others.

John graduated from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign with a BFA in 1987, the same year he moved to New York City to begin his career.

John lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn with his family and often commutes to the office on his fixed-gear bicycle.

Remembering Ron Louie

Ron Louie (October 4, 1967 to March 29, 2020) was a co-founding partner of Opto Design. Before that, Ron was design director at The New York Times Electronic Media Company. Ron developed the original design for The New York Times on the Web and The New York Times on AOL, and was part of the team that originated the work process between the newspaper and online site.

Ron began his design career working with Paula Scher at Pentagram Design and then in interactive design at Tom Nicholson Associates.

Please consider supporting Ron’s Here With Us charity in his memory. Donations can be made at herewithus.org/donate/