Microsoft - Mico

Art Direction & Experience Design

Client : Microsoft | Studio : Psyop | 2025

Experience design and art direction for Microsoft's MICO AI assistant, reaching millions of users across Microsoft Copilot. I designed the visual experience and interaction systems for the October 2025 launch, then returned as Art Director to lead strategic vision work for future product development.

The engagement had two phases: shipping the launch product and defining long-term evolution. For launch, I designed what users see when talking to MICO in Copilot voice mode. Color systems, visual behavior, interaction patterns. Later I built strategic vision decks showing how the product grows and expands. The future art direction work (key art, product concepts, presentations for Microsoft leadership) remains under NDA while the company develops new capabilities.

Microsoft launched MICO in October 2025 as the flagship of their human-centered AI initiative. Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI, announced it at the Copilot Fall Release event. Live across US, Canada, and UK with millions of active users. Press coverage in TechCrunch, Fast Company, GeekWire, and The Verge.

MY CONTRIBUTION

Experience Design (Launched Product):

• Visual design and interaction systems for MICO in Copilot voice mode

• Color systems that respond to conversation and context

• Visual behavior and motion design

• Direct collaboration with Microsoft product teams

• Product experience working across platforms at enterprise scale

Strategic Art Direction (Under NDA):

• Art direction for future product development

• Strategic concept work exploring product evolution and expanded capabilities

• Key art and vision presentations for Microsoft leadership

• Long-term product roadmap visualization

THE WORK

The first phase was getting the product ready to ship. I developed the visual experience users see when talking to MICO in Copilot voice mode. Color systems that respond to conversation, visual behavior that feels expressive and approachable, and interaction patterns that work across millions of users on multiple platforms.

The challenge was making something that feels present and responsive while staying within Microsoft's brand standards. The visual design had to work at enterprise scale. Consistent across devices, accessible to different users, and performant in real-world conditions.

The second phase was strategic art direction. I led future development exploration for Microsoft, building comprehensive vision decks that show how MICO evolves with users, expands into new contexts, and grows as the AI companion matures. This work helped Microsoft leadership see the long-term product trajectory. Specifics remain confidential while features are in development.

PRODUCT IMPACT

Launched: October 23, 2025

Platform: Microsoft Copilot (voice mode)

Users: Millions across US, Canada, United Kingdom

Status: Live product + future development ongoing

Press Coverage:

• TechCrunch: "Microsoft's Mico is a 'Clippy' for the AI era"

• Featured in Fast Company, GeekWire, AP News, The Verge

• Flagship feature announced by Mustafa Suleyman, CEO Microsoft AI

• Part of Microsoft's human-centered AI initiative

MICO CHARACTER - LAUNCHED PRODUCT

Microsoft MICO as launched. I designed the visual experience and color systems for this AI assistant reaching millions of users.

PROJECT DETAILS

Client: Microsoft

Studio: Psyop

Product: MICO (Microsoft Integrated Companion)

Year: 2025

Phase 1 - Product Design:

• Role: Visual Development

• Scope: Product experience, visual systems, interaction design

• Status: Shipped October 2025

Phase 2 - Strategic Art Direction:

• Role: Art Director

• Scope: Future product vision, strategic concepts, key art

• Deliverables: Vision decks and presentations for Microsoft

• Status: Under NDA (in development)

WHAT THIS DEMONSTRATES

I've worked on product design at Fortune 500 scale. Designed product experience for millions of users, worked within Microsoft's brand standards and enterprise requirements, and shipped a product that launched with major press coverage. I collaborated with tech product teams at scale.

The strategic art direction phase showed I can lead future product vision development. Created strategic concepts for product evolution, presented to Microsoft leadership, and balanced brand, product, and business requirements.

This approach applies to other tech products and brand work. Companies needing product design for launches, brand work for tech products, or strategic art direction for product development would find the same capabilities here: visual design at scale, strategic thinking, and Fortune 500 collaboration.