AboutWorksJournal
Get in touch
Abstract peach-colored wavy line pattern resembling flowing fabric or motion, used as a background graphic behind the Art + Design Director title.

Art + Design
Director

I’m Mike Steven François, an art & design director bringing bold concepts to life through narrative-led visuals. My approach is rooted in editorial structure and shaped by a global outlook.
Let's Work Together
Let's Work Together
⌄

Featured WORKS

A curated collection of recent work across editorial design, identity, and screen-based media.

Open spread of No Chaser Magazine featuring black-and-white editorial photography and bold minimalist layouts, with the title “No Chaser Magazine – Editorial Design for a Men’s Magazine” overlayed in white text.
Editorial Design

No Chaser Magazine

Editorial design for a men’s magazine.
Open spread of MR Magazine showcasing editorial layouts featuring menswear photography, fashion commentary, and trend analysis, with the overlay text “MR Magazine – Editorial Design for a Leading Menswear Publication.”
Art Direction

MR Magazine

Editorial Design for a Leading Menswear Publication.
Black business cards featuring the Maât brand identity with a minimalist bird illustration and custom logotype, arranged in a grid layout. Overlay text reads “Maât – Brand Identity for a Lifestyle Label.”
Brand Design

Maât

Brand identity for a lifestyle label.
Close-up black and white portrait of a woman wearing oversized sunglasses, used as a bold visual for Kokes Design Studio. Overlay text reads “Kokes Design Studio – Independent Studio Blending Design and Strategy.”
Brand Design

Kokes Design Studio

Independent studio blending design and strategy.
Black smartphone displaying the A-Theory logo on screen, placed on a minimal concrete surface. Overlay text reads “A-Theory – Visual Identity for a Consulting Firm.”
Brand Design

A-Theory

Visual identity for a consulting firm.

Expertise

Explore how I help brands shape their voice and visuals — through strategic thinking, distinctive identities, and editorial-driven design.
01. Strategy
Creative consulting designed to shape brand strategy, enhance visual storytelling, and bring clarity to your creative direction.
⟶
⟣ Art Direction Guidance – Strategic insight to unify your visual language across campaigns, photoshoots, and branded content.
⟣ Brand Positioning – Define a clear voice, tone, and visual identity to ground all creative decisions.
⟣ Design System Evaluation – Audit and refine existing brand assets to ensure alignment, cohesion, and creative consistency.
⟣ AI-Powered Ideation – Leverage AI tools to accelerate concept development and explore new creative directions.
⟣ Content Planning – Develop a cohesive, editorial-driven approach to visual storytelling across platforms.
02. Identity
Comprehensive brand identity design—building visual systems that reflect your values and create lasting recognition.
⟶
⟣ Logo Design – Distinctive marks designed to reflect your brand’s personality and connect with your audience.
⟣ Visual Language – Typography, color, and design systems that bring consistency across all brand expressions.
⟣ Brand Guidelines – A clear, structured guide to help your team apply the brand with consistency and confidence.
⟣ Touchpoint Design – Application of your brand identity to key assets like business cards, social templates, and digital materials.
⟣ Art Direction for Launch – Creative oversight to ensure your brand launches with clarity, cohesion, and impact.
03. Editorial
Editorial design is at the heart of my practice—shaping print and digital narratives through layout, rhythm, and visual storytelling.
⟶
⟣ Magazines & Publications – Editorial layouts that balance narrative flow, pacing, and visual hierarchy—cover to cover.
⟣ Lookbooks – Story-driven design for fashion or product collections—crafted for both print and digital.
⟣ Special Issues – Custom editorial pieces, from brand zines to long-form printed campaigns.
⟣ Digital Editorial – Adapting editorial design for the screen—responsive layouts with the same storytelling power.
⟣ Photography Integration – Thoughtful placement and rhythm of imagery to support narrative flow and elevate content.

Journal

Welcome to my space for creative exploration —where insights meet inspiration to spark bold ideas and visual stories.

Cover image linking to a journal article.

Beyond the Algorithm

The Human Edge in AI-Driven Design
Cover image linking to a journal article.

The Editorial Edge in Fashion

How Visual Storytelling Makes Brands Unforgettable
Cover image linking to a journal article.

The Lookbook, Designed

Where Narrative Meets Design

Get in Touch

I partner with brands, publishers, and creatives to shape bold visual experiences. Get in touch to start something meaningful.

Contact
© Copyright 2025, Mike Steven François