A strategic design and branding agency with a passion for creating distinctive brands
We don’t create brands that are different from the rest. We create brands that are distinct from the rest.
Our Values
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Integrity
We honour our work, our clients, and our people.
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Excellence
Our goal in all that we do.
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Creativity
It’s what makes us tick, it’s in our blood.
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Courage
We’re not afraid to try, ask, challenge, and stand by our beliefs.
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Humility
We put our people and the world before our egos.
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Partnership
A great relationship leads to great design; trust is the foundation of great work.
We’re a 360-degree strategic design agency that’s passionate about creating distinctive brands.
About Hitchcock Michalski
You don’t want a brand that’s different from the rest. You want a brand that can be easily spotted from a mile away. We’ll help you find what’s distinctive about your brand and showcase your brand positioning with design.
From strategy, logo design, brand identity, and everything in between, our directors have a combined 50 years of experience in the design industry, with in-depth knowledge and exceptional understanding of what it takes to craft and elevate a brand through visual storytelling.
Through thought-provoking branding, we give you the visibility you need to be one step ahead of your competition. Our services can be tailored to the exact outcome you’re looking for, with world-class design and expert communication.
Fiona Hitchcock
Managing Director
Our Managing Director, Fiona Hitchcock, has a rich background in brand strategy, collateral design, environmental design – both retail and corporate – brand engagement, signage design, brand activation and digital design. She has solid experience in advertising, communication, classical marketing, and print production, which provides a depth of context to any project she’s involved in.
I have developed and maintained mutually beneficial client relationships over many years, creating a strong strategic and advisory partnership with clients. I have an ability to work across diverse markets and have an innate sensitivity for cultural nuance.
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I have nearly 30 years of experience in the SA printing, advertising, and branding industry including extensive experience in Africa, namely, Nigeria (19 years), Mauritius, Rwanda, Kenya, Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Morocco, with projects managed in Europe and the US. I had an article published in the Banker magazine, a Financial Times initiative, on “The value of People in the Management of your Brand”, globally published and distributed.
Perhaps one of the most important things I have come to realize over the years is that I have an opportunity to use my extensive experience and expertise for a very valuable role. Perhaps the most valuable. And that role is mentoring and inspiring. To motivate and encourage. To listen, acknowledge and challenge.
It gives me a sense of fulfillment to know that there are people out in the world whose lives I have truly made a difference to.
Maciek Michalski
Creative Director
Our award-winning Creative Director, Maciek Michalski, is inspired to bring ‘vanished’ art and design technologies back into the studio with a passion for silk-screening, hand painting, and illustration. He starts every project by studying literature across fields like fashion and architecture and believes in drawing with pencils before bringing technology to the design concept.
I am curious, direct, and individual. Constantly looking for points of inspiration, what people currently find appealing and how to use this knowledge to produce memorable, iconic work. I love to tell great creative stories to clients, engaging stories about our creative strategy, the creative process, and the rationale behind the design decisions the team made, always 100% sold on and excited about the concepts we present.
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I have over 20 years’ experience in design. Awards include - 2012 Loerie Grand Prix, 8 Gold, 17 Silver and 15 Bronze Loerie awards. 2010 Cannes Bronze, Clio Silver, Ad of the Year. 2011 One Show Merit, 2 Clio Silver, 2 Cannes Silver. Top 3 Design Studio, Top 3 Creative Directors. We are really proud that in our second year of business, we won a silver Loerie and were ranked 9th in Communication Design agencies in South Africa as per Loeries Official Rankings 2017.
I love exploring the rich and meaningful art of poster design and I am inspired to bring ‘vanished’ art and design technologies, inspiration, stimulation and influence, that previous generations took for granted, back into my studio. I look for inspiration in unexpected places, searching for intriguing content. Believes in drawing with pencils before bringing technology to the design concept.
