michael laforte art director
Michael LaForte leads Gallagher Projects' visual communications, while also the Principal of Studio LaForte, a multi-disciplinary creative design practice in Long Beach, California focused on independent design competitions, drawing and related fine art practice. He regularly provides design services for non-profit organizations. His work has been shown throughout the US and in Argentina where he spent a year in residency. His work is in a number of private collections including the Norton Family Foundation Collection.
His experience includes Art Direction for leading architecture and design firms including Rafael Viñoly Architects, Perkins Eastman Architects, and Ehrenkrantz Eckstut & Kuhn Architects. He began his architectural career working with Design Troupe, Jones Studio Architects, Fabrique, and Al Beadle in Phoenix, Arizona, Skidmore Ownings & Merrill in New York, and McIntosh Poris Architects in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Working with multi-disciplinary teams which includes advertising leaders and developers, he has designed compelling visual presentations, proposal submissions for highly competitive international projects, brochure collateral, exhibitions and environmental graphics.
Michael is also a Full-time Design Lecturer and Faculty-in-Residence at California State University Long Beach. He is a regular guest critic at OTIS and USC and has been a guest critic at RISD, Pratt, and RPI.