Mike Nicholls

Creative Director

Mike Nicholls, an Oakland-based creative director, brand strategist, visual artist, and publisher, utilizes design to foster discovery, inspiration, and community building. He has translated ideas into visionary creative solutions with over 20 years of design experience and natural talent. Mike defines his purpose as “using storytelling and design to create moments of positive inspiration.”

Previously, he operated his own brand design studio in West Oakland and founded Umber, a recognized media platform and print publication highlighting creative perspectives that matter, which has been recognized by AfroTech (Blavity) and KQED. Mike has collaborated with organizations such as Red Bay Coffee, de Young Museum, and Bandcamp. He's spoken at various events including Hue Design Summit and State of Black Design.

Now serving as Creative Director at Betti Ono, he's committed to driving cultural development through creative practice, visual storytelling, and design. Since 2008, Mike has called Oakland home, where he balances his creative pursuits with fatherhood and a profound love for music and hip-hop culture.