Michael Sallit
Art Director / Graphic Designer / Music enthusiast
Paris, FRAN
www.behance.net/michaelsallit
instagram @michael_sallit
bente.me
Q What do you do?
“I don’t just make things look pretty—I craft entire worlds for brands, musicians, and businesses to connect with their audience. From branding and visual identities to photoshoots, websites, and campaign concepts, I translate ideas into striking, meaningful designs.”
Whether it’s launching a bold new brand, refreshing the identity of an established label, or creating an album cover that feels like the music, my approach is always rooted in strategy and emotion. I work with businesses of all sizes, ensuring their visuals resonate with the right people—their humans. Let’s bring your vision to life.
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
I started out as an archivist, working with film and music collections. Diving into these vast visual and cultural histories sharpened my creative eye, long before I ever touched design software. Being naturally curious, I built my graphic culture through books, posters, and the rise of the internet—platforms like Tumblr played a huge role in shaping my visual sensibility (and yes, I still have one in 2025!).
From there, I naturally transitioned into graphic work—first through collage, creating visuals for concert halls, festivals, and gig posters. What began as a passion evolved into a profession, and now, despite not having a formal graphic design degree, I teach design in schools, sharing my experience and approach with the next generation of creatives. It’s been an unconventional path, but every step has shaped how I see, create, and think about design today.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I stand out by bringing a playful, curious, and collaborative approach to design. Being self-taught, every project feels like an adventure rather than a routine—I approach it with excitement, humility, and a genuine desire to create something meaningful.
I work closely with clients, ensuring they feel ownership over their visual identity while I provide the creative expertise to make it stand out. Through multiple rounds of feedback and refinement, I make sure they’re not just satisfied, but truly excited about the final result. I also get deeply invested in their success—people often tell me, “You really care,” and they’re right. I have immense empathy for anyone building something from the ground up.
Whether it’s crafting a world for an emerging artist’s first single or orchestrating a full-scale national campaign, I know how to shape ideas to fit the scale of the project. I can work lean and local or oversee a complex rollout involving everything from naming and strategy to social media presence and illustrations. And when the budget allows, I love bringing in other talented creatives to push the vision even further.
Q What are you working on right now?
Right now, I’m working with French television on the development of several key visuals for their original series and films, as well as the art direction for their streaming platform—think of it as a French Netflix. It’s an exciting challenge to shape the visual identity of both individual productions and the platform itself.
I’m also collaborating with Ipone, a motorcycle motor oil brand. I know nothing about motor oil, but the project is all about connecting with Gen Z and bringing a bold, pop aesthetic to the brand—which is exactly the kind of challenge I love.
On top of that, I’m designing several festival posters, which lets me dive into different creative universes and experiment with new visual languages. A mix of storytelling, branding, and bold aesthetics—just the way I like it.
Q What’s your style?
My style sits somewhere between pop-expressionism and industrial aesthetics, with a strong emphasis on bold contrasts, raw textures, and striking compositions. I love blending high-energy, pop-inspired visuals with a sense of structure and depth—something playful yet precise. My work often feels cinematic, influenced by my background in film and music archives, where I developed a deep appreciation for visual storytelling.
While this style is most personal to me, I adapt it to brand work in ways that feel authentic and impactful. Sometimes that means crafting vibrant, Gen Z-friendly campaigns, like my current work with Ipone, or building bold, evocative key visuals for French television series and films. When I get to work on festival posters, I push my aesthetic even further, creating immersive, expressive worlds that capture the essence of the event.
I’d love to collaborate with a brand willing to embrace that edge, but in the meantime, I always find ways to infuse projects with my unique perspective—blending energy, narrative, and a strong sense of identity.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
If I could focus more on one thing, it would definitely be music. I’ve been playing bass for over 20 years, and no matter what I’m working on, music is always in the background—whether it’s fueling my creative process or shaping the way I think about visuals. I make playlists every week, almost compulsively, and I’d love to work even more in the music industry, whether through art direction, visuals, or something completely unexpected.
Oddly enough, I also have a deep love for golf—despite my look being completely at odds with the sport. There’s something about the rhythm, the focus, and the precision that I find really satisfying.
Beyond that, I’m an obsessive collector. Books, objects, virtual items, visuals, playlists—anything that sparks curiosity. I like to think of it as curating little archives of inspiration. Maybe that’s why I’m so drawn to music and design—it’s all about capturing moments, assembling pieces, and creating something that resonates.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
Right now, what’s most frustrating is how uncertain and nonlinear everything feels. Every industry is struggling, but in ways that are hard to define. Some blame AI, some blame economic shifts, some blame changes in SEO, but there’s no clear pattern—just a collection of personal anecdotes. It makes it harder to plan ahead, to seize opportunities, or even to know where to put your energy.
I have so many things I’d love to do, but opportunities are becoming more scarce. The industry feels fragmented, and sometimes projects that should move forward just… stall. The to-do list keeps growing, but the things I really want to push forward often land at the bottom because they depend on external factors that feel unpredictable.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
For $20/hour? Honestly, just keep me alive. Bring me an iced coffee, blast a perfect playlist, and gently yet firmly remind me to sit up straight every 10 minutes like a concerned Victorian governess. Bonus points if you declutter my desk while I stare at my screen, pretending to have profound creative thoughts.
Or, better yet, just follow me around and physically restrain me from opening 50 unnecessary tabs. If you can stop me from spiraling into a Wikipedia rabbit hole about 18th-century shoe manufacturing when I was supposed to be working, you deserve a raise.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
I’m not really a “regret” kind of person either—I believe everything serves a purpose and all the twists and turns lead us where we’re meant to be. Mistakes are just lessons in disguise, and experience is what makes us unique. But if I could travel back in time, I’d go straight to my 11-year-old self and tell her not to trade that Charizard Pokémon card for a Raichu just because it looked prettier. I’d probably be a lot richer now!
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
I’m a very curious human, so honestly, I’d love to have a table full of experts in different fields. But right now, if I could choose, I’d want a mentor—someone who's an acclaimed art director with a wealth of experience. I’d love to have them by my side, offering insights at every step of my journey toward my vision. It would be amazing to get guidance on the best business practices, ways to keep creativity flowing, and how to build confidence in my decisions.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I’m looking for opportunities where I can work with brands that are willing to break the mold and experiment with fresh ideas. Projects where we can strip away the usual “sales pitch” and focus on what people truly need and connect with. Whether it’s a big or small product, I want to help make sure it’s not just noise—it should be all about what your audience is asking for. I’m excited by brands that want to create authentic connections with their humans and are open to exploring creative, impactful solutions that resonate.
Bonus points if there’s something pop about it, maybe even with a touch of music. I’ve always loved the intersection of visuals and sound, and I believe when those worlds collide, the result can be electrifying. If we can inject a bit of energy and rhythm into a project, I’m all in.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
My ideal client is someone who is kind, trusting, and open to collaboration. I love working with clients who are willing to let a project evolve beyond the original brief, allowing me to bring fresh ideas and explore new areas.
Q: What is your rate?
I offer flexible pricing based on project scope and needs. For example, a T-shirt design might start around $1,000, while brand design packages begin in the higher range and are bespoke. Given the quick pace of modern branding, I also offer streamlined 5k packages to refresh a brand’s look while utilizing existing assets. These packages are designed with social behavior in mind, helping brands stay agile and test out changes before committing to a full rebrand. My hourly rate is $60, but I often propose flat rates after estimating the required hours.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Feel free to shoot me an email at michaelsallit@gmail.com! When reaching out, let me know who you are, how you found me, and what you're looking for. Don’t worry about the formalities—I’m all about making it easy and fun!
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Exploring new music, books, and art.
This member profile was originally published in February 2025.