Microsoft - Mico

Art Direction & Strategic Development

Client : Microsoft | Studio : Psyop | 2025

Art direction for Microsoft's MICO AI assistant, a strategic initiative exploring the future of AI interaction and integration into daily life. As art director, I developed the visual language, environmental context, and user interaction concepts for how MICO would exist in users' lives.

Note: Due to NDA restrictions, specific work and assets cannot be publicly displayed. This page describes my contribution and approach.

MY ROLE

• Art direction for MICO's future vision and development

• Environmental design - how MICO integrates into physical/digital spaces

• User interaction concepts and lifestyle integration

• Character customization system and asset creation

• Visual language development for AI assistant personality

THE APPROACH

Working with Microsoft's strategic team, I art directed the conceptual future of MICO - thinking beyond the initial product to envision how an AI assistant integrates authentically into users' daily routines, environments, and lifestyles.

This involved:

ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRATION

Exploring how MICO exists across different contexts - home, work, mobile, and how the visual language adapts to each environment while maintaining consistent personality.

PERSONALIZATION SYSTEM

Developing asset library and customization framework for users to personalize MICO, creating emotional connection through visual expression.

FUTURE VISION

Art directing concepts for MICO's evolution - from launch product to integrated AI companion, considering long-term brand and interaction development.

STRATEGIC CONTEXT

This project represents Microsoft's exploration of AI assistant personality and integration, contributing to broader Copilot ecosystem strategy.