The Story Behind the Name

Why "Official Use Only"?

We chose this name because, like classified documents that bear this stamp, our work is reserved for companies ready to handle what comes next.

The reality: Products we create tend to generate attention. Press coverage, competitor scrutiny, customer evangelism, industry buzz. Once you're working with us, there's no going back to being quietly overlooked.

The question: Are you prepared for that level of success?

Based in San Diego. Working worldwide. When your success needs to be official.

Founder & Creative Director

Michael doesn't just create award-winning designs—he creates the kind of work that changes how entire industries think. With recognition from Red Dot, iF, Cannes Lions, and Communication Arts, his approach turns overlooked opportunities into market advantages.

Before founding Official Use Only:

• Crispin Porter + Bogusky (Where breakthrough campaigns became legendary)

• One & Co (Crafting brands that redefined entire categories)

• University of Washington (Teaching strategic design thinking)

The philosophy: "Every design decision should move your business forward. We don't just solve problems—we solve them so elegantly that the solution becomes the new industry standard."

How We Turn Overlooked Into Obvious

Most design consultancies respond to briefs. We hunt for the opportunities everyone else is missing.

Our process starts with intelligence gathering: What visual languages are being overlooked? What experiences from other industries could create excitement here? What opportunities is everyone else neglecting?

Then we create the perfect balance: Products that are talk-worthy enough to generate buzz, yet refined enough to feel timeless. Your product becomes its own advertisement while remaining beautifully integrated into its environment.

What sets us apart:

• Opportunity Mining (We find what others overlook)

• Cross-Industry Thinking (Borrowing brilliance from unexpected places)

• Strategic Integration (Every element serves your business goals)

• Award-Winning Execution (Proven results across categories)

• Long-Term Partnership (We grow with your ambitions)

Discovery & Intelligence We don't just analyze your competitors—we study adjacent categories, overlooked visual languages, and neglected market positions. We find the opportunities hiding in plain sight.

Strategic Development Every design decision serves your business goals: creating talk-worthy excitement while ensuring timeless appeal. We craft products that advertise themselves without overwhelming their environments.

Design for Manufacturing Beautiful concepts mean nothing if they can't be produced effectively. We ensure your vision translates seamlessly from studio to manufacturing floor to market success.

Launch & Market Impact We help position your transformation as the fresh thinking your category has been waiting for. From concept to market breakthrough—that's the complete journey.

Ongoing Partnership Official Use Only doesn't believe in one-and-done relationships. As your business evolves and grows, I'm here to help you tackle new challenges and continue building on your success.

Where Innovation Meets Execution

San Diego positions us at the intersection of military precision, biotech innovation, and surf culture creativity. This unique ecosystem creates a perspective you can't find anywhere else—rigorous thinking with creative fearlessness.

From local roots to global impact: Our San Diego foundation gives us access to cutting-edge thinking, while our international client work ensures we understand what resonates across markets and cultures.

The result: Products that feel both revolutionary and inevitable, designed with the precision of aerospace engineering and the soul of California creativity.

Consumer Electronics → Products that become cultural touchstones

Furniture & Lighting → Pieces that define spaces and start conversations

Spirits & Beverages → Packaging that creates shelf presence and brand loyalty

Office & Workspace → Solutions that enhance professional environments

Emerging Technologies → Concepts that help startups capture investor attention

Each industry teaches us something new about what creates market desire and competitive advantage.

The Question Every Ambitious Leader Eventually Asks

"What if my product could be the one everyone else tries to copy?"

The answer is closer than you think. Whether you're launching something revolutionary or evolving something established, we know how to make your market sit up and take notice.

Your next move: Stop hoping for breakthrough results and start designing for them.

Book Your Strategy Session and discover exactly how to transform your product from another option into THE option.

This isn't just about one project — it's about building a partnership that grows with your ambitions.