Michael Stout had a successful career going as an Art Director at a Burr Ridge firm. Battling burnout, he discussed a more flexible position with his boss. Together they decided that Mike could work out of a new home office, where he could continue to work for the company and maybe even acquire some of his own clientele. Everything went as planned. On December 1, 1995, Mike began his new endeavors in his new home office.

Out of the blue and just a few days later, his former boss backed out of their agreement. Stunned, Mike had just unexpectedly launched his own business (named Icon Digital Design courtesy of his wife, Stephanie). After a few years of working on his own, Mike recruited an old friend, Scott Kolbe, who was working as an art director at another agency. They moved into their first small office in 1997.

By March of 1999, business had tripled. That same year Mike and Scott hired another designer, further expanding the business. Over the past 8 years the staff and business has expanded significantly, and due to that in 2006 Icon extensively remodeled their office space. The new and improved, stylish office now holds Mike, Scott, and the 7 other Icon team members.