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.
Russian Hare
Creative Musing
March 2016
Russian Hare
I had this idea, a Russian Hare grasping his Fabergé egg in my head and thought it was a perfect time to execute the idea for Easter.
AWK Clayworks
Client Project
March 2016
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AWK Clayworks
This illustration was an idea for a client that never made the cut, but I decided to illustrate the sketch I made.
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+ Brand Identity
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+ Creative Direction
+ Qualitative Research
+ Concept Development
+ Sketching & Ideation
+ Illustration
To Good For You Chicken Noodle Soup
Creative Musing
February 2016
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To Good For You Chicken Noodle Soup
This past weekend, I had a fun visual idea of a snobby chicken and chicken noddle soap. Sketching out some initial concepts, I developed multiple illustrative iterations to this completed illustration. From conception to final illustration took close to 3 hours.
Rethinking Math Workbooks
Article + Creative Musing
January 2016
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Rethinking Math Workbooks
During my childhood, I despised math and often wondered if it was due to how it was taught and presented. Perhaps it was, perhaps not. Even now, I feel my kids math workbooks are unapproachable. So, I thought create a cover series for simple math workbooks – taking my youngest sons math workbook, I stripped it down to its bare essentials, and gave it a complete rebranding. The typeface I used for this design is DIN Condensed VF, designed by Isabella Chaeva and Tagir Safayev from Paratype.
Illustration Society
Article + Product
January 2016
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Illustration Society
I contributed several limited edition screen prints from the Citizen Project, specifically the poster Thirteen Stripes, Fifty Stars, to the Illustration Society, Silent Auction (organized by Kendall College of Art and Design). The proceeds will support Kendall’s illustration program and Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.
Buy this Poster
These limited edition screen prints are available for purchase in my shop.
Related Content
Read an article about the Citizen Project by Emily Pots from Against The Grain.
Merchandise Mart
Client Project
January 2016
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Merchandise Mart
Worked with Integer and Pella for licensing the a Merchandise Mart I illustrated. The illustration was used for the grand opening of Pella Windows new store front, Pella Crafted Luxury in Chicago, Illinois.
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+ Illustration
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+ Concept Development
+ Sketching & Ideation
+ Illustration
MCM Numbers
Creative Musing
December 2015
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MCM Numbers
Illustration of simple concentric MCM numbers. The numbers are a custom typeface designed for this exercise.
Putting Your Brand To Use
Article
November 2015
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Putting Your Brand To Use
Lucy Engleman and I spoke at the Kendall College of Art and Design Career Symposium on building your brand as a freelancer. This event was held at Fountain Street Church. The talk focused on the importance of building a brand (or ego), either as an freelancer or in search of full-time employment.
Presentation Key Takeaways
• Looking at the current freelance landscape—market, location, competition, potential clients.
• Professional practices presenting yourself via social media and a personal website.
• The importance in expressing your personality, identity, style.
• Professionally curating yourself via social media, personal website, networking and joining organizations.
Additional Content
View Putting Your Brand To Use the presentation.
Woosah & The Illustration League Workshop
Article
November 2015
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Woosah & The Illustration League Workshop
A small group of ambitious individuals attended our lino-cut print workshop yesterday at Woosah Outfitters—lots of good discussion and great prints. Thank you to Woosah's, Erica Lang for helping put this event on with TIL and her time with educating us on lino cutting and printing. A special thanks to Molly Singleterry of Spectacle Design Studio for coming and taking photos of the event. Also, thanks to Central Michigan Paper for providing us paper.
Further Reading
Learn more about The Illustration League.
House Industries Studio
Article
November 2015
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House Industries Studio
I had a great Creative Mornings event this morning with David Dodde on work ethic. He is a self-taught, award winning artist, designer, and print maker and his body of work is meticulous beautiful. Love his silkscreen Home Sweet Home doormat he created for his studio.
Further Reading
Learn more about David Dodde via his website.