ABOUT ME

I build companies through design.

Portrait of Michael Sullivan.

I am Michael Sullivan, a founder, creative and design leader. I work where design and strategy becomes the brand, product and customer experience people actually meet.

For more than twenty years, I have built companies, led teams and worked with demanding global brands. Today I work with founders, investors and leadership teams who need the company to be clearer, stronger and more valuable.

Brand is built in the decisions people can see.

It is the experience, the product, the service, the design quality and every visible choice.

When they agree, people feel the value before anyone has to explain it. When they tell different stories, the market values the business below what it is worth.

The work behind the advice

01

First, I built one

I founded Metropolis in Barcelona and ran it for seventeen years. We designed brands, products and digital experiences for clients including LVMH, Marriott, Porsche, Art Basel and a range of fintech companies and banks. I exited in 2017. In 2026, a new chapter of Metropolis began with Isaac Leon, who now leads creative while I advise.

I also cofounded Izakaya, a frontend studio that later joined Metropolis, and Display, an international luxury magazine that made our point of view visible.

02

Then, I led inside the machine

At Enfo, I grew the design business by 200 percent. At Accenture Interactive, I built and scaled the digital division in Denmark, then led Brand Experience and Design for Accenture Song across the Nordics. Most recently, I served as Experience Director at Vaimo.

It taught me that good work needs creative authority. Without it, the standard disappears one compromise at a time.

03

Now, I build and advise

I founded and exited Vicity, a curated city guide built on one rule: only the absolute best a city has to offer, nothing else. I took it through Google for Startups before handing it to the team that built it. I am now building in stealth while advising companies, founders and leadership teams.

Building keeps me honest. I still know what it feels like when the money, the deadline and the outcome are your own.

EXPERIENCE
Accenture logo
Art Basel logo
BNP Paribas logo
Danfoss logo
Danske Bank logo
Expedia logo
Heineken logo
Intel logo
Kenzo logo
LVMH logo
Marriott logo
Porsche logo
Sofitel logo
Sony logo
W Hotels logo
Accenture logo
Art Basel logo
BNP Paribas logo
Danfoss logo
Danske Bank logo
Expedia logo
Heineken logo
Intel logo
Kenzo logo
LVMH logo
Marriott logo
Porsche logo
Sofitel logo
Sony logo
W Hotels logo

Metropolis and my advisory practice

Metropolis is an independent design studio focused on brand, digital experience and creative AI.

My advisory work starts with the decision, the direction and the standard. When the work needs to become design and delivery, Metropolis can be the execution path.

Based in Stockholm. Working internationally.

I work in English, Spanish and Swedish with international clients.