Giving Life to the Community
Artists
Michael Osborne:
Michael Osborne with the prototype for the Intel Heart in San Francisco. (photo: Chronicle/Kim Komenich)
Michael Osborne is President and Creative Director of the San Francisco-based graphic design firm, MOD/Michael Osborne Design, Inc. Established in 1981, the firm's work in corporate/brand identity, package design, and print collateral has been recognized by many competitions for outstanding design, including the West Coast Show, American Institute of Graphic Arts, and the Clios. MOD's work is on display in the permanent collections of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York. MOD's work has also been featured in Graphis, Communication Arts, The Society of Typographic Arts, American Institute of Graphic Arts, How Magazine, Print, and Step Inside Design Magazine. Michael also designed the 2002 Love Stamp for the USPS.
Another of Michael's passions is the fine art of letterpress printing. As his knowledge of the craft grew, so did his respect for a skill requiring dedication and diligence to create something handmade and original. In 1991, Michael opened One Heart Press, a letterpress print shop located in San Francisco. OHP produces fine press books, corporate business systems, broadsides, invitations, and other unique printed materials for the San Francisco design community.
In addition to his professional achievements, Michael began exploring the medium of printmaking in 1992. He has since studied with master printers at Paulson Press and Crown Point Press in concentrated workshops focusing on etching techniques. Michael's creative drive has resulted in an impressive body of work which is now available at The Museum of Modern Art Artists Gallery at Fort Mason in San Francisco. Domaine Chandon Winery hosted Michael's premiere solo fine art exhibit in 1994. Michael has since had his work exhibited in numerous galleries, including J.J. Brookings Gallery, Smith Anderson Gallery, Gallery 16, and SFMOMA's Artists Gallery.
Michael Osborne graduated with honors from Art Center College of Design in 1978. He has been a faculty member at both the University of California at Berkeley and The Academy of Art College where he currently teaches. He has lectured at numerous universities and has been a featured speaker at many Western Art Directors Club and American Institute of Graphic Arts events and at the A.D.A.C. Envision Design Conference two years in a row.
Originally from Cincinnati, Michael currently resides in the Bay Area with his wife Gail and children, Joe, Samantha and Alice.
