Designing cultural presence for a global audience.
Stephen Francis Atelier™ | design studio (SFA) is a multidisciplinary practice working internationally at the intersection of art, design, and material experimentation.
SFA | design studio operates at the intersection of strategy, design, and cultural production. We build brands, digital experiences, and material interventions that translate complex ideas into clear and lasting expressions.
Our approach is both analytical and intuitive: systems are designed with rigour, while the creative process remains open to experimentation. This balance allows us to work across industries and continents, developing identities and experiences that feel as relevant in Johannesburg as in Dublin, New York, Berlin, or Tokyo.
DISCIPLINES
BRAND DEVELOPMENT
Defining presence through precision, narrative, and form.
At Stephen Francis Atelier™ | design studio (SFA), brand development is approached as a process of building cultural resonance rather than producing surface-level design. Our work begins with narrative: uncovering the values, behaviours, and histories that give an identity depth and longevity. From this foundation, we construct systems of typography, colour, and visual language that can adapt across time, scale, and medium. Each brand is treated as a living framework — designed to remain relevant in a shifting global landscape while retaining a sense of clarity and distinction.
DIGITAL EXPERIENCE
Interfaces shaped for elegance, speed, and connection.
In a world where digital platforms define first impressions, we design websites and digital environments as immersive encounters rather than static pages. Every project is developed with equal weight on functionality and expression: architecture and navigation are streamlined to ensure clarity, while design elements articulate the unique voice of the brand. Our practice spans institutional websites, e-commerce platforms, and bespoke digital archives, each built to extend brand ecosystems seamlessly into the digital sphere.
EDITORIAL & PRINT
Printed matter as cultural artefact, crafted to endure.
Print remains one of the most enduring ways to communicate ideas, and Stephen Francis Atelier™ | design studio (SFA) continues to approach this discipline with precision and craft. From monographs and archival catalogues to brand literature and campaign materials, we design printed works that balance readability with tactile presence. Our approach unites editorial structure, typographic integrity, and production detail – recognising the book or publication as an object that conveys both authority and permanence in a fast-moving visual culture.
SPATIAL & INSTALLATIONS
Environments shaped to embody identity and presence.
Extending beyond traditional design, our studio has deep experience in spatial design and temporary environments, rooted in an art-led sensibility. We create installations, exhibitions, and branded interiors that blend physical storytelling with material experimentation. Every space is developed to function on multiple levels – practical in flow and layout, while emotionally charged in its ability to leave a lasting impression. This approach allows Stephen Francis Atelier™ | design studio (SFA) to operate fluidly across gallery contexts, public installations, and brand-driven environments alike.
SELECTED WORKS
Our portfolio is a rotating archive of projects spanning brand, digital, editorial, and spatial design. Each work represents a synthesis of strategic thought and material craft, reflecting the studio’s capacity to adapt across scale and sector.
FILM & MOTION
Moving images that expand story into experience.
Motion design extends the reach of our practice into time-based storytelling. Through brand films, digital campaigns, and moving-image installations, we explore how narrative unfolds dynamically across screens and environments. Our film and motion projects reinforce visual identity while opening new modes of communication for brands and institutions.
COLLABORATORS & CLIENTS
Our work is strengthened through collaboration. Over the years, Stephen Francis Atelier™ | Design Studio (SFA) has partnered with international institutions, NGOs, cultural foundations, and private clients. Each project is developed through dialogue, ensuring outcomes that are strategically sharp and aesthetically enduring.
CONTACT THE ATELIER
For new collaborations, commissions, or inquiries, please connect with us.
We welcome conversations with brands, cultural institutions, curators, and collaborators.
The Atelier Family – SFA (Stephen Francis Atelier™) · SR (Stephen Russell-Brett) · FR (Francis Russell-Brett) · B&I (Bunny & Ivy™)
Contact us at: info@sfatelier.com
All Rights Reserved.
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT
Independent strategies for curated, consistent, and impactful presence.
For select clients, Stephen Francis Atelier™ | design studio (SFA) offers a comprehensive social media management service. Developing campaign strategy, designing collateral, and producing tailored content that extends brand identity into the digital sphere. We collaborate with clients to define focus themes and narratives, then manage the full cycle of execution: copywriting, visual design, scheduling, and publishing. This process ensures a cohesive, high-quality presence with minimal client involvement after conceptualisation. Allowing brands to maintain consistency, clarity, and impact across all platforms.