Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Janson Foltz.
Michelle, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I didn’t start in design. I was actually on a science track and pretty close to graduating before I realized it wasn’t the right fit and switched directions.
That part of my background has stayed with me, though. I still tend to think in terms of structure and how things work, even in creative projects.
After moving into design, I worked at a boutique firm where I got to be part of a range of projects, from smaller businesses to larger brands, and was involved in some award-winning work. I later stepped into a creative director role for a TV personality, which was a different kind of experience and pushed me to think more broadly about how a brand shows up.
At one point, I also took a detour into acting, which ended up being surprisingly relevant. It taught me how to pay attention to people in a different way, how to listen more closely and understand what’s going on underneath the surface. I don’t think I realized it at the time, but that really shaped how I work with clients now.
Eventually, I started my own studio and began focusing more on branding, packaging, and website design for smaller businesses.
Looking back, all of those different paths kind of come together in the way I work now. I tend to spend a lot of time really understanding the person and the business before jumping into design, which wasn’t always the norm in some of the earlier environments I was in.
It’s been a bit of a winding path, but each part of it has shaped how I approach the work today.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Early on, when I was working at a boutique firm, long hours were just part of it. Seventy-hour weeks in the studio weren’t unusual. It was intense, but it’s also where I really learned how to do the work. You figure things out by doing them and staying with a problem until it’s solved, even if that means late nights.
Later, when I stepped into a creative director role, it was a different kind of challenge. In some ways it was a nice shift, but I also started to feel a bit removed from the work itself, which made me realize how much I value being closer to the process.
I’ve also always had a tendency to go all in on whatever I’m doing. When I took a detour into acting, I approached it the same way. I wanted to understand it fully and be as good as I could be. It’s a tough industry in a different way, but it taught me a lot about connecting with people and getting to the root of who they are and what they want, which has carried over into my work in a really meaningful way.
There have been bigger life shifts along the way too. I took time off to have my son and was home with him for his first few years. Then COVID hit, and like a lot of people, I had to pivot with my work.
Now, the challenges look a little different. It’s more about balancing everything, family, client work, and running a business. When you work for yourself, you’re the one setting the pace and the expectations, and that can take time to figure out.
I think all of it has pushed me to be more intentional and more efficient, but it’s definitely been a process.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I do branding, packaging, and website design, mostly for small businesses. Clean layouts, modern, and always strive to create something beautiful. Lately, I’ve been focusing a lot on websites, especially for businesses that have outgrown what they originally put together and are ready for something that better reflects the level they’re operating at.
A big part of my work is helping people step into that next version of their business. A lot of my clients already have strong ideas and a real passion for what they do, it’s just not always fully coming through in how they present themselves. I like being part of that shift, where we uncover what’s already there and bring it forward in a way that feels clear and cohesive.
What I’m probably most known for, or at least what clients tend to comment on the most, is the process.
We spend a lot of time at the beginning really digging into the business and the person behind it. Not in a rigid or overly formal way, but through real conversations that help get to the root of things. That part of the process is something I really care about, and it tends to be the part clients appreciate most too. I’ve had a lot of people say it gave them clarity they didn’t have before, even beyond the design itself.
From there, the visual side becomes a translation of that foundation. Whether it’s a brand, a website, or packaging, I think of it as building a cohesive world around the business, something that feels immersive, aligned, and intentional.
What sets my work apart is probably that combination of structure and intuition. I’m not just looking at how something looks, but how it functions and what it’s communicating. At the same time, I’m paying attention to the more human side of it, what feels true to the person and the business.
I think that balance is what allows the work to feel both thoughtful and personal.
Any big plans?
Right now, I’m really focused on expanding how I can support people at different stages of their business.
One of the things I’m working on is a collection of website templates. I’ve realized that not everyone is in a place where a fully custom project makes sense, but they still want something that feels thoughtful, elevated, and aligned with the level of their work.
So I’ve been building templates that are a bit more considered in how they’re structured, with the goal of helping people present themselves more clearly and professionally, without it feeling generic.
I’m also offering ways to customize those templates for people who want something more tailored but aren’t starting completely from scratch.
Alongside that, I’m continuing to take on custom projects, which is still a big part of what I do and something I really enjoy.
Overall, I think I’m just looking forward to continuing to refine how I work, building out both sides of the business, and creating options that meet people where they are while still helping them move forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://madmagentacreative.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellejansonfoltz/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571813937790
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellejansonfoltz/
