We were saddened to hear of the passing of Michael Tilson Thomas this week, at the age of 81.
In 2019, we had the privilege of working with San Francisco Symphony to mark MTT’s 25th year. A milestone season.
On set, he was exactly as you’d hope: patient, warm, and genuinely curious. He embraced the idea of light and silhouette.
We were fortunate to bring in our friend and collaborator Mark Mahaney @mahaney_mark to capture it all so beautifully.
It’s rare to work with someone of that stature. We feel lucky to have had a small moment in his orbit.
For many of our client partners, every day is Earth Day.
They’re working across food waste prevention, carbon-free energy and heating, carbon capture, vehicle electrification, and earth observation. Different categories, same instinct: fix what’s broken and build something better.
We find that deeply inspiring.
And we’re proud to help bring clarity, presence, and momentum to work that matters.
#EarthDay
Manual field trips are an opportunity for us to step away from our screens, connect, and get inspired. And boy oh boy did we get inspired today.
This morning we had the massive honor of touring Creative Growth HQ in Oakland. So inspiring to see artists getting ready for the org’s biggest annual event - the Beyond Trend fashion show. We left buzzing.
Thanks so much to our friends at @creativegrowth ❤️
Some photos from last Thursday, when we filled a room at @letterformarchive for @tomcrabtree salon talk, Color as Character.
Surrounded by a chromatic array of artifacts pulled from the Archive’s collection, Tom traced a path from early sources of inspiration to the identities we create today, with color as the main character throughout. Along the way: a rainbow sweater from childhood, fluorescent screen prints from college, and a kaleidoscopic mix of historical influences.
The evening offered a personal look at Tom’s relationship with color, and the role it continues to play in shaping the way we design at Manual.
Thanks to everyone who came out, and to our friends and neighbors at Letterform Archive for hosting, especially Stephen and Angie.
We are currently accepting applications for our Summer design internship at Manual San Francisco.
Interns at Manual are highly valued members of the team. You’ll contribute to design projects, work with our creative team and our clients, and learn what life is like inside a busy branding studio.
We welcome diverse candidates from all backgrounds, so please feel free to throw your hat in the ring.
In-person internships are always preferred due to the hands on learning and mentorship.
To apply, visit the link in our bio.
We won’t be able respond to each and every applicant, so we thank you in advance 🙏🏼
Meet @futurefit - Smart coaching that moves with you.
Through two distinct coaching experiences, Future helps people make consistent, meaningful progress that fits real life.
Manual San Francisco + Amsterdam partnered with the Future team to re-establish the brand for adaptive AI coaching — lowering the barrier to world-class training and opening Future to a wider audience. With a new logo, visual toolkit, and a code-powered, fluid AI coach visualization created in collaboration with Baast Studio.
Case study coming soon.
We’re excited to share the new brand for Waabi.
Waabi has been pushing the boundaries of AI and simulation to accelerate the future of autonomous driving. Like many deep-tech teams, they had been focused on building extraordinary technology and hadn’t yet taken the time to tell their story. Manual was brought in to help bring that story forward, clarify their vision, and reintroduce them to the world.
Our work together set out to capture what makes Waabi unique. Their approach to autonomy is fundamentally different. It’s built on world-class research, a breakthrough AI platform, and a commitment to safety, trust, and responsible progress. The new brand is designed to communicate that ambition with clarity and confidence.
Autonomous technology is moving quickly, and public understanding and trust are essential. The companies that succeed will be the ones who communicate transparently, demonstrate safety, and show how these systems can improve mobility and quality of life. Waabi is leading that charge.
We’re grateful to have partnered with the Waabi team and proud to help bring their story, mission, and technology to a wider audience.
Case study link in bio.
Credits:
Manual:
Vanessa Lam
Nick Randle
Ryan Huang
Andrew Galloway
Patricia Callaway
Tom Crabtree
Ian Carroll
Minhyung Eom (Design Intern)
Brand Voice, Messaging Development + Website Copy:
Nimble Creative - Carissa Justice, Pamela Henman
Website partnership: Antinomy Studio
Photography: Mark Mahaney
Video: Reelbros
3D: David Olivares
New Orbit is developing the first and only satellite technology designed to operate in ultra-low Earth orbit (ULEO), just 180km above the planet’s surface.
The company’s ambition is bold: make ultra-low orbit the new normal and unlock transformative opportunities for industries on Earth. To achieve that, they needed more than a technical story. They needed a brand that could inspire belief in a new frontier that’s closer than ever before.
Manual Amsterdam positioned New Orbit as a new breed of pioneer in aerospace, with a narrative centered not on complex technical specifications but on real-world impact. The tone of voice and visual identity mirrors the technology: clear, confident, and forward-looking. It speaks not just of what the technology is, but what it unlocks for people and industries on Earth.
Case study link in bio.
We are currently accepting applications for our Winter/Spring design internship at Manual San Francisco.
Interns at Manual are highly valued members of the team. You’ll contribute to design projects, work with our creative team and our clients, and learn what life is like inside a busy branding studio.
We welcome diverse candidates from all backgrounds, so please feel free to throw your hat in the ring.
In-person internships are always preferred due to the hands on learning and mentorship.
To apply, visit the link in our bio.
We won’t be able respond to each and every applicant, so we thank you in advance 🙏🏼
