trace manuel.

designer & researcher & photographer & writer & loving assigner of homework.

yes, &.

Like most designers, I love a good ampersand. But "generalist" doesn't even come close.

I push pixels & I also push past them. Whether I'm helping a design team craft a new service or helping a client capture their story, I'm here to look closely, listen deeply, and ask at least 200 more questions on my way out. No matter the tool or technique, the core of what I do never changes: helping people be witnessed, making the unseen visible, & bringing clarity (and heart) to complexity.

end-to-end service design & beginning-to-end storytelling

See what happens when someone with a background in art, research, and teaching is allowed unrestricted access to whiteboards and sticky notes.

view portfolio

1:1 support for people who are terrified of the word "coach"

I know it's such a weird cultural moment to be using that c-word. But I do — truly and sincerely — love thinking alongside people as they take on life's challenges.

be heard

photography for everyone & the everyday

I didn't get through three art/design degrees without learning how to take a decent picture, and I'm proud to offer sessions that celebrate the dignity in any season of life.

be witnessed

questions? collabs? requests? hot tips? projects? events? ideas? complaints? connections? pets? poems? scholarly interests? reflections? recipes?questions? collabs? requests? hot tips? projects? events? ideas? complaints? connections? pets? poems? scholarly interests? reflections? recipes?questions? collabs? requests? hot tips? projects? events? ideas? complaints? connections? pets? poems? scholarly interests? reflections? recipes?

trace manuel.

I'd love to hear what you're thinking:
tm@tracemanuel.com
or send a booking inquiry