Future State – Brand Identity

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Client Project

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Future State – Brand Identity
Future State was developed for the key stakeholders and the City of Grand Rapids, aimed to establish a council to facilitate engagement and foster connections between employers and employees within the AI economy.

The triangular mark used for Future State’s mark is derived from a segment of a square, symbolizing a map's grid system. The squares represented on a map serve as markers for finding distinct regions, such as Grand Rapids – serving as the the area where Future State resides. The sliced triangular segment of the square acts as forward momentum.

• Client:

  City of Grand Rapids

• Services:

  + Brand Advisor
  + Concept Development
  + Creative Strategy
  + Design Direction
  + Qualitative Research
  + Visual Identity

• Team:

  MKN Design Team:
  + Michael Nÿkamp, Design Director

  Future State Stakeholder:
  + Kevin White

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Wolverine Sticker

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Product

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Wolverine Sticker
Simplified wolverine stickers for your car window, bumper, skateboard, water bottle, computer, binder, and whatever else you can think of.

• Buy this Sticker:

  This sticker is available for purchase in my shop.

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RAM

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Creative Musing

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RAM
An illustration crafted with strong lines, smooth corners, and a bold fill.

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Nutrilite – Process Infographic

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Client Project

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Nutrilite – Process Infographic
Recognized globally, Nutrilite offers a range of high-quality vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements designed to support optimal health and wellness. I was approached by Nutrilite to offer conceptual insights on visualizing their Traceability Process.

Upon understanding their Traceability Process, which extends from initial plant selection to the final Nutrilite product, I developed two concepts. One emphasizes the comprehensive nine-step procedure, depicting hands alongside specialized industry tools. The other focuses on individuals implementing the nine-step process in authentic settings.

• Client:

  Nutrilite
  Health & Wellness
  

• Services:

  + Concept Development
  + Design & Layout
  + Illustration
  + Sketching & Ideation
  + Qualitative Research

• Team:

  MKN Design Team:
  + Michael Nÿkamp, Design Director

  Nutrilite Stakeholders:
  + Nichole (Wood) Kravat, Global Assistant Brand Manager Marketing
  + Justin Duimstra, Senior Art Director
  + Tom Forsberg, Senior Communication Manager
  + Jake Weibel, Lead Communications Specialist
  + Joel Van Kuiken, Lead Copywriter
  
  
  

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Diamonds

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Creative Musing

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Diamonds
Simplified word mark exploration with custom lettering.

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We Are Better Than This

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Article

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We Are Better Than This
The words by Rep Elijah Cummings in 2018 stuck me, “We should all be able to agree that in the United States of America we will not intentionally separate children from their parents. We will not do that, we are better than that!” Our national policies affect our national symbols. What once signified freedom to the world, now represents imprisonment for the vulnerable. Using the US flag as a symbol, I deconstructed it, transforming its stripes into bars and its stars into razor wire.

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Her

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Creative Musing

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Her
A simplified silhouette portrait for her.

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Mom

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Creative Musing

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Mom
To all moms, thank you and happy Mother’s Day. Especially mine. The smile is paired with the typeface Myriad designed by Carol Twombly and Robert Slimbach from Adobe Originals.

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MYD Studio – Architectural Styles Poster

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Product

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MYD Studio – Architectural Styles Poster
My poster was bought, and the customer sent me a photo along with this friendly note from Lauren Moss, purchaser and owner of MYD Studio, “Framed minimally and placed on the ideal wall space, this Architectural Styles poster is the latest addition to our studio storefront, serving as a beautiful and fitting source of graphic inspiration.”

• Buy this Poster

  Architectural Styles poster is available for purchase in my shop.

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Void

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Creative Musing

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Void
Visual exploration.

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Maze

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Creative Musing

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Maze
Illustration of the link between the work maze and form.

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Z E P H Y R

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Creative Musing

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Z E P H Y R
A spacious and boxy custom typeface I designed for the name.

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Peacock Pencils

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Creative Musing

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Peacock Pencils
Simple mark for a selection of 12 colored pencil crayons. The mark is paired with the typeface Gotham designed by Jonathan Hoefler and Tobias Frere-Jones.

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Swannibs

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Creative Musing

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Swannibs
The smooth, sweeping curves of the swan's form seamlessly transition into the neck of the pen nib. The mark is paired with the typeface Cabrito designed by Jeremy Dooley from Insigne Design.

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Rooster

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Creative Musing

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Rooster
Illustration utilizing basic shapes.

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Bookworm

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Creative Musing

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Bookworm
This spunky little bookworm was inspired by my youngest son. The letterforms are a custom typeface designed specifically to for this friendly bookworm.

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Flip Flop

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Creative Musing

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Flip Flop
Word play exercise creating this wordmark designed with a custom condensed typeface.

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House Sparrow

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Creative Musing

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House Sparrow
Simple mark nestled in the corner of a pencil case.

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A Country For All

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Creative Musing

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A Country For All
“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

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Ars Fabricandis

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Creative Musing

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Ars Fabricandis
The Latin inscription on this seal translates to "The Art Of Making". Artfulness encompasses craftsmanship, skill, and dedication. These are qualities I value and embody in all the client and personal projects I develop.

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