The Studio

With Umber Studio, led by Mike Nicholls and a talented team of designers, media producers, and writers, we offer a curated range of creative services rooted in our commitment to culture-building, collectivity, and impactful storytelling. From personalized consultations and partner collaborations to innovated design solutions, we collaborate with you to bring your vision to life. Our work fosters meaningful connections, and celebrates the transformative power of design and storytelling.

Creative philosophy

At the heart of our studio is a commitment to storytelling, collaboration, and culture-centered design. Every project begins with deep listening, understanding the needs of the audience, and uncovering the essence of the story we aim to tell. Whether shaping a brand, curating content, or designing experiences, Umber’s work focuses on creating moments of positive inspiration and connection.

  • Every project is an opportunity to tell a story that resonates. We focus on developing concepts that align with cultural context, audience insights, and brand values. By blending strategic thinking with creative direction, we craft cohesive narratives that inspire and engage.

  • Our studio approaches design with a comprehensive lens, ensuring seamless integration of strategy, visual direction, and execution. This ensures that the work not only meets aesthetic goals but also achieves broader strategic objectives.

  • Design is most impactful when it reflects and uplifts the communities it serves. At Umber we strive to create spaces—whether physical, digital, or experiential—that amplify diverse voices, foster meaningful connections, and celebrate cultural identity.

Discovery  strategy

design experience

  • Consultation

    We offer personalized guidance to help align your vision with cultural and creative impact. Through one-on-one with our founder & CEO Mike Nicholls or team consultation sessions, we explore your goals and challenges, providing strategic advice on branding, storytelling, and audience engagement. Our tailored recommendations ensure your creativity resonates deeply with your intended audience, fostering meaningful cultural connections.

  • Bandcamp

    Partner Collaborations

    Whether you’re partnering on a media event, brand activation, cultural initiative, or editorial features Umber Studio brings expertise to in-person experiences and dynamic storytelling. Our team of content creators and media producers works collaboratively to develop and execute engaging, impactful moments that connect with audiences and amplify your message.

    We’ve partners with such places as SF Design Week, Bandcamp, Renegade Running and Alkali Rye Beverage Shop

  • Creative Strategy

    Through creative strategy, we help brands and organizations align their vision with culture-driven, impactful storytelling. We provide strategic guidance on branding, messaging, and audience engagement, ensuring that every creative decision is intentional and rooted in authenticity. Through collaborative workshops and deep-dive sessions, we develop innovative frameworks that shape your brand identity, campaign direction, and community engagement strategies. Whether refining an existing concept or building a new initiative from the ground up, we craft culturally resonant narratives and design-driven solutions that connect with your audience in meaningful ways.

  • Editorial Design

    With 20+ years of experience, our Editorial Design offering brings your stories to life in print or digital formats. It includes magazine or book design, featuring a custom cover and professional layout. Our team of writers and copy editors ensures your content is polished and impactful, while our designers integrate typography and imagery for cohesive and engaging storytelling. We deliver print-ready files along with digital versions for multi-platform use.

  • Visual Storytelling

    Our visual storytelling offering helps capture and convey your narrative through impactful visuals. From photography and video production to concept development and art direction, we craft compelling visual stories that resonate with your audience. Our process includes storyboarding, editing, and post-production to ensure a polished and cohesive final product.

  • Media Design

    Our media design service creates cohesive and inspiring media for your audience. We develop concept-driven messaging strategies for media campaigns and design compelling assets, including posters, ads, digital content, and presentations. Our team integrates copywriting and social media strategy to craft engaging content that resonates across platforms, ensuring consistent outreach and audience connection.

Bandcamp collab

Discuss your next media, design, or custom project with Umber Studio. Whether you’re looking for tailored solutions beyond our standard packages or exploring new creative possibilities, we’re here to collaborate and bring your vision to life.