Design 86 is an independent design studio based in Sacramento, California.
We provide project-based and contract design services for nonprofits, public agencies, and educational institutions. Our work includes businesses and cultural organizations in California and abroad.
We work across brand identity, graphic design, digital products, UX/UI, publications, campaigns, and public information materials, taking projects from research and concept development through design, testing, and production.
We design with people, not for them. Before we draw anything, we meet with staff and partners and get to know the communities you serve. We map expectations, explore options, and deliver design solutions aligned with all stakeholders.
Design 86 stays directly involved in every aspect of the work, from creative direction to production details. Our scale is intentional. It lets us stay close to every stage of the project while ensuring clarity and consistency across platforms.
Our process is grounded in iteration:
Stakeholder interviews, user observation, and audience research to understand needs, expectations, and constraints.
Brief development, prototyping, and concept exploration to test different approaches before committing to a direction.
Design, development, user testing, and accessibility testing to refine the solution and make sure it works in practice.
Final production across digital and print, including websites, apps, campaigns, publications, reports, and outreach materials.
Michal Sloboda founded Design 86 in 2022 after more than a decade working in design for startups, multinational companies, and independent studios.
He previously served as Director of Visual Design Strategy and Execution at San Francisco consultancy Blackappl Inc. and worked as a freelance designer with London studios including Intro UK and Tom Hingston Studio.
He holds a Master of Arts in Graphic Design and Visual Communication from the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague, and studied at London College of Communication, UAL.