Michelle Keller
Co-Founder of PlanetFab Studio / Art Director / Graphic Designer
New York, NY
www.planetfab.com
instagram @planetfab
linkedin
Q What do you do?
“All of it! I am the co-founder of PlanetFab Studio, a NYC branding and creative design studio that does everything from graphic design to brand identity to creative direction to, all of it!”
We operate across the full spectrum of concept, strategy, and design, helping clients look and communicate better than they could ever have imagined. We keep it simple, no agency mumbo jumbo, seeing possibilities that others miss, capturing the heart of a brand, and connecting through creative solutions, whether it's in fashion, entertainment, hospitality, education, or beyond.
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
I started at Simon & Schuster designing book covers, then jumped into advertising at Saatchi & Saatchi Rowland. Things really took off at Bloomingdale's, where I was an Art Director, setting trends while juggling multiple projects. My partner and husband, Fabrice Frere, comes from GQ and CITY Magazine, where he pushed creative boundaries and won major awards for it.
Together, all these experiences in publishing, advertising, and retail gave us the skills and creative chops to launch PlanetFab in 2007. Since then, we've stayed true to our mantra: 'Concept is king' and 'good design is everything!'
Q How do you stand out in your field?
Vision, Vibe & Know-How
Q What are you working on right now?
Developing a 360° brand identity for a Broadway production company
Q What’s your style?
Smart, sexy, provocative, but always keeping it simple. I'm inspired by everything from Paula Scher to Adidas sneakers, high-end to everyday design. I believe good design is the answer to everything, and you need input for output.
Projects:
Bistro Leo
Equality Charter School
Elie Tahari
The Kingss Speech
The Master
Satellite of Love
Downtown Photography by Gregory Kramer
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
Building an authentic and effective social media presence for PlanetFab to connect, showcase our work, and share our story.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
The trend of shrinking budgets across industries and good design being commoditized is making it harder for designers to show clients why high-quality design, creative thinking, and strategic planning are worth the investment. There, I said it!
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
For $20/hour, I'd have someone handle our social media. For us, it's time-consuming and gets pushed aside. Having someone who loves doing it would make my day.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
Take a business course! This is what I wish I had told myself after graduating from the School of Visual Arts. Creatives need business skills. We’re all amazing at what we do but often terrible at knowing our worth. It should actually be part of the curriculum.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
Finding the sweet spot where creative meets good business. Attracting clients who value and understand both.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
We're looking for opportunities to work with high-value clients who understand that good design is more than worth it. Projects where we can go all in, from concept to execution are ideal, whether it's building a new brand or refreshing an existing one. We're particularly drawn to collaborations that challenge norms to achieve full potential, giving us the freedom to craft work that we can all be proud of.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
Our ideal clients are the ones who aren't afraid to think differently and trust us to push them forward. The best collaborations are the ones that begin with an honest conversation. We love working with clients who give us full creative freedom and are excited about where we can take their brand.
Q: What is your rate?
PlanetFab offers tailored pricing based on the scope and complexity of each project. Here’s where we start:
• Brand Strategy and Visual Identity projects typically start at $25,000.
• Website Design and Development begins at $15,000, based on pages and complexity.
• For specific creative needs, our day rate is $2,500.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
To say hello, studio@planetfab.com or choose via our contact page: www.planetfab.com/contact-us
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Zware Kost — amazing attitude and work.
Bendito Mockup the real deal, rock-n-roll mockup shop.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Getting input for output.
This member profile was originally published in December 2024.