X-Men
Tom’s work on Marvel’s 2019 relaunch followed years of independent comics collaborations. He discusses how that visibility reached people across entertainment.
Hear the story at 33:29 on YouTube (opens in a new tab)Graphic design, typography & creative direction
Tom Muller.
Giving stories an identity, from independent comics to X-Men.
A Cosmic Sans guest profile · By Howard Pinsky
Behind the work
The person.
The perspective.
Tom Muller is a designer and creative director, and the founder of helloMuller. His career connects digital design, music, comics, and entertainment through an interest in giving stories a visual identity.
His collaborations in independent comics, including Zero and Drifter, built a body of work that helped open the door to Marvel’s 2019 X-Men relaunch. In his conversation with Howard, Tom describes the relationships, ongoing projects, and years of experimentation behind that opportunity.
He approaches his studio as an independent practice, staying involved in the design and bringing in collaborators when a project needs them. His emphasis is on the thinking behind the work: how an identity supports a story, how a system can evolve, and what a client’s perspective can reveal.
Based on Tom Muller’s interview with Howard Pinsky. Career details reflect the conversation.
A closer look
Work with a story.
Drifter
A grid, dots, and letterforms that gradually resolve: an identity designed to change alongside a story about discovering who you are.
Hear the story at 42:44 on YouTube (opens in a new tab)Zero
An ongoing comic series that gave Tom room to rethink the cover each month and connect graphic design to storytelling.
Hear the story at 31:15 on YouTube (opens in a new tab)
On Cosmic Sans · 1:37:00
Designing X-Men, Building a Studio, and Creative Direction
A conversation with Howard Pinsky, with chapter links, key takeaways, and a readable transcript.
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