Mike Heighway /

/ Art Director

I am an art director and designer specializing in visual systems, typography and brand identities.

I adopt a systems-based approach to design, delivering clear, scalable solutions to complex problems.
My work spans a diverse range of applications, including web, motion, environmental, print and type design.

The Hypospace of Japanese Architecture

Book Design / Lettering
ca. 2024
View Project
1/4

Cubic Design System

Design System / Visual Brand Identity
ca. 2022
View Project
2/4

SketchUp

Brand Identity / Web Design / Graphic Design
ca. 2020
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3/4

Terra & Luna Design System

Design System / Component Library
ca. 2020
View Project
4/4

My design process is organized around five key principles:

No. 01
Craft matters.
Design is built from details that come together to form a greater whole.
No. 02
Identify the opportunity.
Designers must first fully understand the problem they are solving.
No. 03
Clearly define the concept.
Design should be logical, with a clear “parti pris,” or “decision taken.”
No. 04
Explore the possibilities.
Iterate on the design to refine and achieve a strong solution.
No. 05
Enjoy the process.
Find pleasure in the journey.
Design is both a rigorous intellectual process and an exercise in abstract thinking. It is iterative in nature and demands restraint. Great design distills an idea down to its essential elements so that the solution appears effortless and it conveys a clear, unified concept.

I am a designer with 14 years of experience working for respected brands. My design work spans multiple disciplines. I have a strong record of building and leading high-performing, in-house teams.

Clients

  • Apple
  • Fujifilm
  • HP
  • SketchUp
  • Trimble
  • General Assembly
  • SketchDeck
  • Ping Identity
  • Maxon (Cinema 4D)

Skills

  • Art/Creative Direction
  • Design Systems
  • Visual Brand Systems
  • Brand Identity
  • Style Guides
  • Digital
  • Print
  • Motion
  • Typography
  • Type Design
  • Lettering

Technical

  • Figma
  • Photoshop
  • Illustrator
  • InDesign
  • After Effects
  • Robofont
  • Glyphs
  • Webflow
  • HTML/CSS
  • Fujifilm Camera Systems