THE BASICS
Mimieux (mih-m'yew) is the personal design studio of Becca Smith, a Graphic Designer and Adjunct Professor in Chicago.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Three rules guide Becca's process.
Rule 01
Design for the future by studying and understanding the past.
Rule 02
Prioritize the archive over the algorithm.
Rule 03
Go down rabbit holes. Follow the magic.
COLLABORATORS
We work with a network of creatives all over the country to bring your vision to life. If you are a designer or artist who would like to collaborate, please email Becca.
WHAT WE OFFER
Mimieux is currently focused on Brand Identity Design and Brand Development. We provide Strategy & Research, Branding and Rebrandings, and additional services like Packaging and Merchandise.
CORE FOCUS
Brand Identity Design
Most of our projects are focused on designing and developing brand identities. Sometimes we start from scratch. Sometimes we take existing brands and develop them through packaging, web design, merchandise, application, collateral, and more. Our small team gives us flexibility, and our experience and connections give us the ability to help you scale.
VIEW FULL CAPABILITIES
Research & Strategy
A research report tailored to your needs. Usually includes a workshop, industry excavation, historical ties, predictions, and additional recommendations.
Visual Identity System
Typically Includes Custom Logo Wordmark, Logo Mark/Monogram, Lock-Up, Typography System, Color Palette, Stationary
Brand Development
Contextualize your brand with Brand Application. Packaging, Merchandise, Social Media, Collateral, Reports, and more.
OUR PROCESS
We build worlds.
We translate in-depth research into a foundational framework that maps the core of your brand, from logic to lore. Guided by this blueprint, we design an entire world around your identity.
01
Culturally relevant, historically accurate.
We stand out because we aren't following trends, we're building worlds. We design for the future through understanding the past. We prioritize the archive over the algorithm, and believe trends belong in your research report, not in your brand guidelines.
02
Go down rabbit holes.
Design without research is meaningless. Before each project, we conduct in-depth, academically informed research. That means digging through the archives to find historical parallels & analyzing market data to find the right approach. This allows us to solve complex challenges with critical thought, strategy, and intention rather than prescribed, trend-based aesthetics.
03
Design in systems.
A brand is never just a logo; it’s a living, breathing ecosystem. We build robust, scalable frameworks where every touchpoint has a thesis. Nothing exists without reason. We ensure your visual identity operates flawlessly as a unified, logical system, meticulously engineered to scale alongside your company.
04
Let ideas evolve.
We never put our clients in prescribed, trend-based boxes or deliver work that looks like everything else on the market. Our approach actively rejects this; we believe every brand requires a world of their own. Allowing the necessary time for concepts to evolve into their most powerful iteration is the prerequisite for brilliant, lasting solutions.