Portrait of Michael James in the Nevada desert outside Las Vegas.

I'm a designer based in Dallas, Texas with decades of experience in design, video editing, and motion graphics.

Video Editing
18 Years Experience
Motion Graphics
15 Years Experience
Graphic Design
12 Years Experience
Web Design
6 Years Experience
Primary Tools
Figma
After Effects
Photoshop
Illustrator
Creative Disciplines
Web Design
Visual Storytelling
Print
Webflow Development
UX/UI Design
Compositing
UX Prototyping
Graphic Design
AI-Assisted Workflows
Creative Direction
Design Systems
Post Production
Motion Graphics
A Little About Me
I’m a multidisciplinary designer who believes the best design is something you feel before you ever think about it. More than aesthetics or trends, I’m drawn to work that communicates something genuine, exciting, memorable, and deeply human. Whatever the medium, I’m always searching for an idea that feels original, emotionally resonant, and true to the project itself. For me, design isn’t just about making things look beautiful. It’s a way of bringing order to complexity, expressing ideas that words often can’t, and creating experiences that leave a lasting impression.
How I Got Here
Growing up, I was inspired by the work of Dan and Dave, whose beautifully crafted films and products blurred the line between design, storytelling, and art. They showed me that visuals could communicate emotion in ways words often couldn’t, and I knew I wanted to spend my life creating work that had that same effect.

Previous Collaborations

Brands & Artists

Shutterstock
Vimeo
Apple
PremiumBeat
Bad Robot
Love Me
Fontaine
theory11
Basefund
Bicycle
Shutterstock
charity: water
JJ Abrams
Director
Shepard Fairey
Street Artist
Andrei Jikh
Influencer
David Copperfield
Performer
Curtis Kulig
Street Artist
Peter McKinnon
Influencer
Zach Mueller
Influencer
Dan & Dave Buck
Artists
I began my career as a video editor, but it didn’t stay there for long. Working on small creative teams meant every project became an opportunity to explore new disciplines, and over time my work naturally expanded into graphic design, motion graphics, photography, branding, product launches, and eventually web design. Rather than feeling like separate careers, each new discipline became another way of solving creative problems.
Every chapter of that journey broadened my understanding of design. I learned the importance of first impressions and emotional impact, discovered the value of thoughtful systems and process, experienced the realities of building a business, and later had the opportunity to lead larger creative initiatives within a SaaS company. Looking back, my career has been less about collecting skills than continually expanding my perspective.
One of the biggest advantages of an unconventional career is learning to thrive in unfamiliar territory. Throughout my career, I’ve regularly stepped into disciplines I’d never formally trained in, teaching myself new tools, workflows, and ways of thinking whenever a project demanded it. That curiosity has allowed me to move comfortably between branding, motion graphics, web design, product launches, photography, and creative systems, giving me the flexibility to solve problems from multiple perspectives.
Produced with after Effects & Premiere
My Creative Process
Every project begins with a single question: what’s the idea everything else should support? Before I think about layouts, typography, or color, I’m searching for the central concept that gives the project its identity. Once that foundation feels right, every creative decision has a purpose.
From there, instinct and iteration work hand in hand. I explore broadly, refine obsessively, and continually ask myself whether each decision strengthens the overall experience. I trust first impressions, value fresh perspective, and believe the strongest work comes from challenging your own ideas rather than settling for the first one that works.
Beyond the Resume
Creativity doesn’t really stop when the workday ends. If I have a free weekend, chances are I’m building something purely because I can’t stop thinking about it. Some projects have taken hundreds of hours despite having no commercial purpose, including a personalized card game, an aerial film from a solo trip through Iceland, restoring historic photographs one pixel at a time, and experimenting with typography and AI tools simply because I’m curious to see what’s possible.
I’m endlessly fascinated by thoughtful design, whether it’s a beautifully crafted website, a well-designed everyday object, or a philosophical question that keeps me up at night. Some of the projects I’m most proud of have never had a client or an audience. They simply existed because I couldn’t stop thinking about them.

Let's connect!

Whether you’re hiring, building a team, or simply interested in my work, I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to reach out.

Location

Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas