About Dan Milner

My story…

Bio

DAN MILNER – started his music career at the age of 6, taking piano lessons. At the age of 13, he started his own group, “The Visions” in Minneapolis.  By age 17, “The Visions” were playing all venues available in the Twin Cities. After majoring in music and art in college, Dan moved to Los Angeles to pursue his music career. Dan created another group and at the age of 21, the group was signed to the famous William Morris Agency and one month later signed to 20th Century Records. After 2 years, Dan signed with Warner / Chappel Publishing as a composer.

In 1978, Dan moved south to San Diego and started managing the largest recording studio in the city, “Studio West”. Within two years, he was head / first engineer and manager.  Two years later he bought Studio West and created his own music company, Wintermoon Music, which had offices in San Diego, Minneapolis, and Toronto.  Dan now prefers to only work out of his hometown of San Diego, CA.

Dan has been a composer, first engineer, producer, and arranger for over 25 years. He has earned over 350 advertising awards and has produced music for over 650 episodes of television. Dan also acted as a post-production supervisor for companies like the Samuel Goldwyn Company in Los Angeles.

In 1999, Dan found himself gravitating to his visual arts background. With his well-rounded abilities in advertising and magazine layout, he became one of the top ad/graphic designers in the United States with a strong following in Europe as well.  

Dan has had a life-long passion for the art of falconry and holds a Master’s license in the sport.  His favorite birds to fly and hunt with are peregrine falcons.

Client Comments…

There are hundreds more

  • I say WOW, well done! It looks fantastic! I am very pleased with the outstanding layout you created for my new book, Red Grouse Hawking. It will be a remarkable book. It has been a pleasure working with you, even if sometimes I seemed a bit impatient!
    ~ Patrick Morel, Author, Master Falconer – Belgium

  • Despite all the external demands for your attention and time, you persisted relentlessly far beyond any sane point of exhaustion. It is a joy and privilege to know you and I want to thank you for making my music sound better than anyone else could ever have!
    ~ Rick Patterson, Musical Director – CA

  • Hey Dan, we just wanted to let you know the new issue of Idyllwild Life Magazine is beautiful!  It looks Amazing!
    ~Holly Parsons, Editor
  • Dan, Your fine work and attention to detail have assured your alliance with us for many years to come. Thank you once again for the extra effort, your time, and your lack of sleep to make sure the deadlines were met to perfection. You are truly appreciated.
    ~ Art Annecharico – MCA Television – CA

  • I just wanted you to know the AU yearbook is an absolute work of art from you. No kidding. I have sent some of your stuff over to Europe , and Jeff Horn in the U.K. wants you to do his new catalog for this year.
    ~ Vic DeBrouwer  – NV

  • Dan, I don’t know where you ever learned how to create ads like this, but you are truly the very best graphic artist in the world for the sport! I love the ad you did for me.
    ~ Falco Ebben – The Netherlands

  • Thank you for your diligent craftsmanship on my ad. The responses I have received from all over the country have been fantastic. Words like; “Clean”, “Classy”, “Gorgeous” is what I am hearing. Overall one of the finest ads they have ever seen. Thank you again.
    ~ F.J. Frobose  – CA

  • Dan, NAFA is indeed blessed to have you in the role of editor. Your skills and contributions go far beyond a great cover image. No matter how much they are paying you, it’s not nearly enough.

    ~ Mark Williams – Canada

  • Dan, you continue to amaze us issue after issue with the quality of your publishing skills. Thank you for all you do for NAFA!

    ~Greg Thomas – NV

  • You all realize how great Dan Milner is at this design stuff? If not, I’m hammering at you that he is…

    ~Tim Jessell – Artist, Marshall Telemetry

  • NAFA publications have never been so consistently excellent. Thanks for all your hard work on our behalf, Dan!

    ~Mike Yates – Earthspan

  • Dan, Your work in magazines has impressed me. I print high quality work day after day and must say that you have superb vision.
    ~ John LaMantia – modernpostcard.com – CA

  • Dan, Some words of appreciation on behalf of the fine work you have done for us. Your professional approach to our sometimes demanding situations gives us all the confidence we need in your ability to produce quality results for us, Thank you so very much!
    ~ Bill Butler – Cineira Corp. – CA

  • Hi Dan, Outstanding work I must say, I am delighted with this new ad! As I said yesterday it is totally different from the work I had in mind but again with your Dan Milner magic, this work can only be described as world class. At this moment in time your artwork is second to none which puts you in a league above the rest. Anyone can purchase the software for designing these images but it’s having the images in your mind that gives you the big advantage. Thanks again.
    ~ Mark Evans – U.K.

  • Dan, I wanted to let you know how much we love what you have done for us. The jingle is wonderful. We have even had radio stations CALL US to say that it is a joy to air! After all the years we have worked together, you still amaze me, how do you do that?”
    ~ Rick Bullini – GM / Partner Toyota of Escondido – CA

  • Our Toyota campaign is nearly over and along with our thanks for a job well done, we want to let you know how pleased our client is with the success of the campaign. 96% of the adult population are hearing your well-produced spots every week! We would like to express our appreciation for your professionalism and once again tell you its a pleasure working with you.
    ~ Suzanne Dupree – The Ad Group – CA

  • Thanks so much for your unfailing professionalism, your willingness to work late hours, your innate sense of responsibility, your ability to meet formidable deadlines, your excellent ear and your masterful electronic wizardry, I’ve pulled many a radio spot out of my hat this year! Many, many thanks!
    ~ Elizabeth Flynn – Senior Writer – Lane & Huff – CA

  • I’ve owned many businesses over the past forty years and hired Ad Men from across the U.S. for my business promotions, however, I’ve never had anyone who was more creative and concerned about the success of a promotion than Dan Milner.
    ~ Rick Hess – PA

  • I saw some of your work over in Bejing, China during a trip over there, and thought, now this is something very special. I had to contact you for my new logo, correspondence stationery, and my new catalog. You do fantastic work Dan, have never seen any better anywhere in the world. Thank you so much for my new logo and design, I will gladly represent you over here in England to send more work your way.
    ~ Jeff Horn – England

  • I love the new image for my site, Dan! As a former art publisher for 10 years I’ve worked with hundreds of talented artists, and brokered their art for licensing deals. I’m not a novice in the art, image, and graphic worlds. But you took my breathe away on this one, Dan.

    I’m so excited with your work & dedication on my site and my clients’ sites.Beyond that, you somehow manage the process with wit, humor, and personality–you’re the best!”
    ~ Colleen Hitchcock, President, Leopard Spot Books & Entertainment – MN

  • Thanks Dan for such a fine publication. I’ve been a NAFA member since 1976. The quality of both the Journal and Hawk Chalk is unparalleled. I know how much work something like this is and again, thanks for the fine work.

    ~ John Lindstrom

  • Thanks, Dan for bringing the NAFA publications to a level never seen before.

    ~Paul Domski – NAFA Director