Sarah Bourge
Art Director / Brand Designer / Founder of French Bre(a)d Studio
Paris, FRAN
www.frenchbreadstudio.com
instagram @frenchbreadstudio
behance
linkedin
substack
Q What do you do?
“I help food & culinary businesses turn their half-baked ideas into tasty brands. Beyond design, I collaborate with a network of talented creatives—including copywriters, web developers, brand strategists, and photographers—to bring your vision to life in a cohesive and compelling way.”
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
I’ve always been drawn to the arts, which led me to earn a Master’s in Art Direction in Paris. After working with design agencies, I realized I wanted more creative freedom and started freelancing. Over time, I refined my focus on branding and art direction in the food industry, which led me to launch my own studio in 2023.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
Typography takes center stage in all of my work and it is always reflected in my projects. I appreciate the profound influence that carefully chosen fonts can have on a brand's image. A lot of my work is influenced by traditional French elegance, blended with more modern designs.
Q What are you working on right now?
I'm currently working on a brand identity for an intimate dinner party concept, collaborating on photography with a chef, and designing a mini recipe booklet about sourdough bread!
Q What’s your style?
My design style can be described as a blend of romance and French elegance. One project I feel captures this are some wine labels I designed where bold typography meets classic elegance, moving away from traditional wine label designs we often see in France.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I've always loved taking pictures and I'm really excited when I get to direct a photoshoot for the branding projects I work on! I love art direction and set design and would love to explore that more, especially on film.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
One challenge I’m (we are) facing is the oversaturation of the graphic design industry post-COVID. With so many designers offering similar styles and services, there’s a lot of repetition and trend-driven work. This, combined with the overwhelming visual noise on platforms like Instagram, makes it harder to stand out and keep things feeling fresh and original.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
I’d hire someone to help with prospecting, client outreach, managing in-house admin and project coordination. Basically, all the behind-the-scenes tasks to keep things running smoothly so I can focus on the creative work!
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
I would have told my student self to focus more on building a strong network and gaining hands-on freelance experience. Even small projects with tiny budgets teach valuable lessons about working with real clients and managing real-world challenges. I wish I had more of that experience before diving into freelancing after school!
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
Networking in the food industry!
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
Restaurants, Cafés, Culinary styling, Hospitality, Bakeries, Beverage makers, Packaged foods, Catering, Tableware design, Personal chefs & more...
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
Our ideal client or collaboration would be in the food industry, whether it’s a new restaurant, a specialty food brand, or a unique culinary concept. I love working with passionate people who bring fresh ideas to the table and aren’t afraid to push creative boundaries!
Q: What is your rate?
Every project is unique, so pricing is tailored to your specific needs and stage of business. Rather than fixed rates, we offer custom pricing based on the scope of work. I’m always happy to discuss your budget and help determine the best approach to achieve your goals.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
DM us on Insta or fill out the inquiry form on our website
Q Who is a creative you admire?
I draw a lot of inspiration from Margot Lévêque’s bold and elegant typography work and the unique world-building of Gohar World.
I've been partnering with Carli from the Libi Project (we met through ilovecreatives!) and we created FIRST COURSE together, an offer that combines brand strategy and design for very early stage food businesses. I'd recommend her to anyone in NY (and beyond) who is in the food industry!
Alexia Demicheli, a friend and talented creative. She’s my go-to for art direction insights and brand strategy collaborations!
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Observe, explore, capture. Stay curious always!
This member profile was originally published in October 2023, Updated February 2025.