Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Michael Mabry’s eclectic work has received numerous accolades internationally. Michael received his BFA from The University of Utah, with honors in graphic design. In 1979 he moved to San Francisco to work as a very young senior designer for venerable designers Nicolas Sidjakov and Jerry Berman at SBG Partners. Michael can attribute many influences to his work although the short time working directly with Nicolas Sidjakov was a turning point in his career. Nicolas’ elegant typographic sensibility and graphic illustrative style had a significant impact on the young Michael’s development as a graphic designer who also illustrated. At the tender age of 26 he opened his own studio in 1981.
Throughout his career, Michael has created distinctive brands and corporate identities, packaging systems and illustrations for a variety of individualistic companies, including: Chronicle Books, Hewlett Packard Corporation, The Land of Nod, Levi’s, Lucas Films, The Mellon Foundation, Martha Stewart Omnimedia, Nike, Netjets Europe, The New York Times, and The Oakland Museum of California.
He was the second President of AIGA San Francisco, and was the founding Secretary/Treasurer. And he has served on the national AIGA board. A member since 1983, he was a Supporter of the AIGA SF Enrichment Scholarship during its creation.
His award-winning work has been recognized in numerous design competitions including Communication Arts, AIGA, American Center for Design, Graphis, The New York Art Directors Club, and The San Francisco Society for Communicating Arts. He has been included in the International Design Magazine’s “40 Design and Technology Innovators on the West Coast”.
His work is included in the permanent collections of the Library of Congress, SFMOMA, The Hong Kong Heritage Museum, and the Center for the Study of Political Graphics. Mabry’s work was also featured in a solo exhibition in Osaka, Japan, and a group exhibition on California Design at the Museo Fortuny in Venice, Italy.
He has taught at the California College of the Arts and guest lectures at many universities and various designer/art directors’ organizations throughout the country. He serves as an Advisor to Project M and is a member of the Alliance Graphique Internationale.
In 2014 Michael was awarded the AIGA Medal, the most distinguished honor in the profession. This medal is awarded to individuals in recognition of their exceptional achievements, services or other contributions to the field of design and visual communication. Click here for more details.
The University of Utah honored Michael as the 2015 Distinguish Alumnus representing the Department of Art & Art History for outstanding contributions in the field of art. Click here for a short video.
After 33 years, Michael closed his studio to pursue independent projects and limited commercial commissions. He is currently working out of his house with his wife, daughter and trusted house cat.