Studio Mickalene
Mickalene Thomas is an artist based in Brooklyn, New York, renowned for her bold paintings, collages, photography, video and installations. Drawing on art history and popular culture, her work redefines female sexuality, beauty and power through a contemporary lens, with a particular focus on celebrating black femininity.
She asked Against Time to create the brand identity for Studio Mickalene, the collaborative entity through which she works with a wide range of partners. The challenge was to design an identity that felt true to Mickalene’s artistic voice while also providing a flexible system for future collaborations.
Our strategy began with Mickalene’s ethos: finding beauty in unexpected places. We translated this duality - light and dark, grit and beauty, strength and elegance - into a brand foundation that could guide both identity and expression.
The brand personality was defined as feminine, sophisticated and alluring, yet also bold and commanding. This balance set the tone for typography, form and colour decisions.
We explored a wide range of typographic directions before landing on a solution that is large, expressive and refined. The type commands attention but also carries an elegance that mirrors the spirit of Mickalene’s work.
This is paired with a minimal yet curvaceous mark, designed as a versatile emblem that aligns with the themes she explores. The result is a logomark that is both iconic and adaptable across different contexts.
The colour palette is tonal black and off-white — a bold, minimal scheme that reflects the contrasts central to Mickalene’s art. This choice carries the same subtle power as her work, balancing restraint with impact.
The outcome is a brand identity that captures the essence of Studio Mickalene: striking, sophisticated and unmistakably aligned with Mickalene Thomas’ artistic journey. It is a system that feels iconic yet versatile, able to support both the artist’s personal vision and her wide-ranging collaborations.
Studio Mickalene now has a foundation to build on as it partners with institutions, brands and collaborators. The identity provides consistency and recognition, while allowing space for evolution alongside Mickalene’s ongoing practice.
If you’d like to hear more about this project, or discuss how we could help your brand evolve, please get in touch.