Translating visions: Melanie Mues on designing for artists

Designing for artists isn’t about imposing a style, it’s about listening. It’s about amplifying someone else’s vision, without getting in the way. For London-based graphic designer Melanie Mues, that means creating space for dialogue, embracing complexity and, sometimes, letting go of control.

In her talk at the Explore sessions of the Fedrigoni Top Awards, Mues shared what she’s learned from two decades of working closely with artists and photographers. She describes the process as personal and collaborative, built on trust, exchange and shared intention.

Whether she’s designing a monograph, a catalogue or an artist’s book, the design always starts from the work. Every decision, from typography to format and materials, is shaped by the artist’s vision and by the narrative they want to carry.

Sometimes that means working by hand, experimenting or breaking rules. But this is the heart of design: attention to detail, trust in the process, and a willingness to let materials do the talking.

Of course, the designer–artist relationship isn’t always simple. “A lot of artists think they can do the design themselves as well. And then a lot of designers think they are artists”, she says. “You just have to really click”. And when that happens, something special unfolds: a shared dialogue that’s both balanced and instinctive.

Watch the full session here: