Mac Design Cases
Designers behind the work
Designers and creative leads credited on Mac projects in press coverage.
Designers and creative leads credited on Mac projects in press coverage.
The article profiles London-born illustrator Palesa Monareng, who has created over 100 graphite self-portraits and is now turning them into a book. It explores her decade-long practice rooted in pencil-based portraiture and motion drawings, her meticulous rotoscoping process, and her reflections on digital identity. The piece also highlights her major clients and her upcoming literary debut with Janklow & Nesbit.
The article profiles Barcelona-based design studio Phantasia, founded by Malva Sawada, Edu Piracés, and Laura Santarelli. It explores how the studio’s collaborative and socially conscious approach informs projects like Barcelona Pride and Museu Habitat, emphasizing inclusivity, empathy, and experimentation in design. The piece highlights their commitment to community-oriented and research-driven visual communication.
Pencil TV founder Danae Gosset directed a series of mixed media animations celebrating the tenth anniversary of Mac Miller’s album Go:od AM. The project includes a hand-painted music video, visualisers, and documentary animations created in collaboration with Miller McCormick and Sam Balaban. Gosset’s tactile, frame-by-frame approach blends digital and physical processes, showcasing her experimental animation style.
Director Zev Deans has created a frenetic, handmade music video for Machine Girl’s track 'Dread Architect'. The project, informed by anime and anti-AI themes, combines stop motion, miniatures, and live action to deliver a chaotic, maximalist visual experience. Collaborating closely with Machine Girl’s Matthew Stephenson, Deans emphasizes human craft as a counterpoint to AI-driven production.
Pentagram, led by partner Natasha Jen, rebranded the nutrition app MacroFactor with a concept called 'Inspired Science,' balancing precision and empathy. The new identity features a custom variable typeface, MacroSans, developed with Reset Type Studio, and a comprehensive icon and illustration system. The rebrand translates MacroFactor’s scientific credibility into a dynamic, human-centered visual language.
The article profiles Martha, a Montreal-based design studio founded by Guillaume Lavallée and Ariane Leblanc in 2024. Built on friendship and a shared appreciation for typography, the studio has quickly developed brand identities for clients across industries including tech, fashion, and non-profits. The piece highlights Martha’s human-centered approach to branding and its growing presence in the design scene.
The article celebrates 40 years of Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros., exploring how Shigeru Miyamoto’s design philosophy and Nintendo’s craft-first, player-centric approach have kept the franchise relevant and beloved. It highlights the creative evolution of Mario’s world, from 2D side-scrollers to open 3D sandboxes, and its influence across gaming and popular culture. Interviews with designers and academics underscore the enduring design principles behind Mario’s success.
