Studio Michael Satter’s sophisticatedly simple graphic design portfolio

Michael Satter and his Frankfurt-based studio of the same name cover a range of disciplines within graphic communication. Visual identities, books and publications, exhibition design, signage, art direction, editorial design and websites for national and international clients – the list is vast and the work is impressive.

Acting like a chameleon of graphic design, Michael’s practice regularly collaborates with others. One project in particular, a poster series for the Robert Johnson Club in Offenbach, sees Michael and illustrator Tom Król: Robert Johnson Club create a regular combination of illustration and design. “For many years Robert Johnson Club didn’t use any print advertising like monthly posters or flyers,” Michael tells It’s Nice That. “In 2016 the club’s management decided to be more visible in public space.” Michael and Tom’s series displays a bold illustration style in a palette of primary colours. Their composed but relaxed approach to the series certainly stands out from the crowd of posters on subway systems. Each month Tom delivers a new artwork, while Michael concentrates on the typography, often using Dinamo Oracle, and the composition.

Michael’s collaborations also stem further back than just a year prior. Since 2009 the designer has created artworks for labels Live At Robert Johnson, Hivern Discs, Die Orakel and Rivotan Records. “I have a long-time passion for electronic music, my cover artworks reflect the identity of the artist, and reference to the tracks on the record.” These sleeves are sophisticatedly contemporary, simplistic designs that incorporate print, photography and illustration. On the surface their design appears simple, but the exemplary layouts are far from simple to create.