Creative Musing + Article
December 2016
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Modern x Dwell
The simple line and halftone pattern illustration is a reflection of the contemporary esthetics created for the Modern x Dwell collection. This collaboration between Dwell and Target has produced a thoughtful collection of well-designed modern pieces. Most pieces represented in my illustration are the outdoor patio collection.
Fish King
Creative Musing
December 2016
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Fish King
A simple line illustration mark paired with my own custom typeface.
Michigan Wheel Marine
Client Project
December 2016
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Michigan Wheel Marine
Combination badge and flag mark designed for a boat manufacturer that didn’t make the cut. The logo’s mark is paired with the typeface Poppins designed by Jonny Pinhorn and Ninad Kale, from Google.
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+Brand Identity
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+ Creative Direction
+ Project Management
+ Qualitative Research
+ Concept Development
+ Sketching & Ideation
+ Illustration
Mitten State
Client Project
December 2016
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Mitten State
A few of MI (my) favorite things. A mark with custom hand type created by my wife and I for a our children’s school auction—auctioning authentic Michigan paraphernalia. The letterforms in this mark have been custom-designed to fit snugly into the mitten.
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+ Brand Identity
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+ Creative Direction
+ Project Management
+ Qualitative Research
+ Concept Development
+ Sketching & Ideation
+ Illustration
SpartanNash
Client Project
November 2016
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SpartanNash
Headquartered in Byron Center, Michigan, SpartanNash distributes food to independent grocers, military commissaries, and corporate-owned retail stores in 44 states. I worked closely with SpartanNash to direct, develop and design the thirty-six page corporate responsibility brochure.
Using a guided design approach, I explored SpartanNash's key environmental impact areas of Social and Environmental Responsibilities, delving into each segment to narrate their entire sustainable journey. Through the strategic use of storytelling, we intricately wove together their core values, showcased their diverse capabilities, highlighted community engagement efforts, and underscored their unwavering commitment to environmental responsibility. This narrative was brought to life through a blend of design elements, compelling visuals, and informative infographics, culminating in a comprehensive sustainability report.
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Brochure Design & Layout
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+ Creative Direction
+ Project Management
+ Qualitative Research
+ Concept Development
+ Sketching & Ideation
+ Graphic Design & Layout
+ Photography Art Direction
+ Infographics
+ Illustration
Dwell Feature
Article + Product
December 2016
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Dwell Feature
Thank you Dwell for promoting my work in this month’s issue of Dwell Magazine and on dwell.com It’s nice to be noticed ☺️
What the Dwell blurb reads, “Design With an Eye for Fine Lines. Michigan-based graphic designer and illustrator Michael Nykamp takes minimalist approach to creating portraits and logos for a variety of clients, including AIGA West Michigan, Herman Miller, and musician Truman Cage. We also love his crisp drawings of midcentury classics, such as Jens Risom’s A-Frame house. Follow his collaborations, posters and personal explorations like this geometric lion at dwell.”
Additional Content
View my work on Dwell.
Saint Tikhon
Creative Musing
November 2016
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Saint Tikhon
Simple line and dots illustration of an Orthodox Priest in his vestments and staff.
The Careful Gardener
Creative Musing
October 2016
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The Careful Gardener
An older gentleman recently told me, “Every relationship has a gardener and a flower.” Typically women are gardeners.
The Death Of Peace
Creative Musing
September 2016
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The Death Of Peace
Illustration inspired by the quote from Jason Donahue, “I see humans, but no humanity”.
Sleeping Fawn
Client Project
September 2016
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Sleeping Fawn
Created this a few years ago as potential mark for a book publishing company.
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+ Brand Identity
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+ Creative Direction
+ Qualitative Research
+ Concept Development
+ Sketching & Ideation
+ Illustration
Feist Portrait
Creative Musing
September 2016
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Feist Portrait
Stylized portrait of Canadian singer and songwriter, Feist.
Pentax K 1000
Creative Musing
August 2016
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Pentax K 1000
During college, I was taught photography using the Pentax K1000. This model was instrumental in laying the groundwork for learning traditional manual camera techniques, including light metering, aperture settings, and F-stops. Additionally, I developed the film and processed photos in a darkroom.
Truman Cage
Client Project
August 2016
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Truman Cage
This mark was created for Truman Cage, an electronic EMD producer (final mark, top image). The projects criteria was straightforward: it had to incorporate the letters "T" and "C" while being enclosed within a box. The bottom images showcase various design iterations I explored during the creative process.
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+ Brand Identity
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+ Creative Direction
+ Qualitative Research
+ Project Management
+ Concept Development
+ Sketching & Ideation
+ Illustration -
My client for this project was John Swihart, an American composer renowned for his work in film and television music. He best known for his score to Napoleon Dynamite and his music for the TV shows How I Met Your Mother.
Death of a Lotus
Creative Musing
August 2016
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Death of a Lotus
Some quick stylistic illustrations created in my downtime today.
OK Tuna
Creative Musing
June 2016
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OK Tuna
Mimicking a fish through imitating Japanese characters for this mark. The ‘O’ and ‘K’ letterforms where custom illustrated for this mark.
Leica M
Creative Musing
May 2016
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Leica M
I love the simplicity of physical products, like Leica’s cameras. This simplicity mirrors my approach to design and illustration, as shown by this illustration of the Leica M.
Flight of the Crane
Creative Musing
May 2016
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Flight of the Crane
Inspired, I created this modern and balanced symmetrical illustration of a crane launching for take-off.
Spicy Ramen
Creative Musing
April 2016
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Spicy Ramen
After eating some spicy ramen, I had the idea to illustrate this.
Herman Miller
Client Project
April 2016
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Herman Miller
At the heart of the furniture manufacturer's legacy lies its iconic pieces and the visionary designers behind them, such as Alexander Girard, and Ray and Charles Eames. "Threads" is a presentation and conversation lead by former graphic designer Steve Frykholm and writer Clark Malcolm. They weave Herman Miller's rich history of design innovation, its embrace of new ideas and talents through captivating narratives that shaped Herman Miller's 111-year journey. Because of my illustrative portrait line style, I was commissioned to create illustrations tailored to complement the theme of "threads."
Collaborating closely with the Herman Miller design team, I illustrated portraits of Steve and Clark. These portraits were seamlessly integrated into promotional and presentation materials for the event."
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+ Portrait Illustration
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+ Style Development
+ Sketching & Ideation
+ Illustration -
My portrait series, formally called Facebook Friends started as a self initiated project illustrating my friends on Facebook. This endeavor evolved into illustrating portraits of speakers for CanUX Conference, and numerous portraits for friends and clients.An article titled "Face Behind the Faces" was written about me and the portrait series.
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Promotional printed and web materials developed by Herman Miller.
Earth Day
Creative Musing
April 2016
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Earth Day
Illustration I created for Earth Day (Hug the world). While sketching this idea, I recall this quote from The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss, “I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues.” Please respect, restore, replenish the only home we have.