Michael Harnisch

Michael Harnisch currently serves as EVP Design Director at Edelman, where leadership of a team of storytellers focuses on creating relatable narratives that emotionally connect with global audiences. Prior to this role, Michael worked at Mojang Studios as Principal Creative Lead for Minecraft, overseeing UI/UX teams to deliver innovative experiences for fans. Michael's extensive experience at Microsoft includes roles such as Principal Storyteller for Dynamics 365, where narrative frameworks were established, and Principal Creative Director for Mixed Reality, creating impactful demos for industry transformation. Michael's earlier career features significant contributions at BioWare and Electronic Arts as a Senior Environment Artist, as well as foundational roles in various gaming projects. Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts in Plan II/Fine Arts from The University of Texas at Austin.