Creative Musing
January 2019
__
Sleepy Cat
My goal for this small illustration and animation was to depict a simple sleeping cat while maintaining its circular shape. During the sketching and ideation phase, I created numerous variations to ensure the effectiveness of how the animation behaved.
Client Project
January 2019
I created a range of concept sketches inspired by the "eat local" theme and collaborated with Patagonia, iterating until we achieved mutual satisfaction. From these skteched concepts, Patagonia chose a refined illustration titled "Eat Local, Watering Can," which was selected and printed on their tees.
Illustration
+ Concept Development
+ Sketching & Ideation
+ Illustration
Creative Musing
January 2019
__
Happy New Year
This greeting is sponsored by the numbers 2, 0, 1, and 9. Happy New Year.
Creative Musing
December 2018
__
Pelican On Water
Bold fill and rolling lines of a pelican on the water.
Creative Musing
December 2018
__
Happy Holidays!
Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season with family and friends. The logo’s mark is paired with the typeface DIN Condensed designed by Manvel Shmavonyan and Tagir Safayev from Paratype.
Creative Musing
December 2018
__
Trio
Wordmark exploration with hand-styled lettering with some simple animation.
Creative Musing + Product
November 2018
__
Factory Icon Series
Some fun minimal vintage factory icons.
Purchase this Icon Set
This icon set is available for purchase, email me for licensing and cost.
Creative Musing
November 2018
__
Wool Made
A literal concept of a sheep for Wool Made brand concept.
Article + Creative Musing
November 2018
__
Clydesdale Illustration Process
The above video shows my streamlined process for crafting icon and illustrations. This is the same phased process that I use for large design projects albeit condensed to focus on a single artifact. While some may perceive this work as straightforward, it actually demands meticulous attention to detail and draws upon thorough research to effectively sketch, ideate, and achieve visual harmony, alignment, and readability.
Creative Musing
November 2018
__
United & Vote
“If we don’t vote, we are ignoring history and giving away the future.” This quote by Pat Mitchel reminds us of our obligation as U.S. citizens to vote for our future. Absorb these words, take action, register and head to the polls when you are called on each election day. Vote!
Buy this Poster and Tee
This mark is available as a poster in my shop and can be purchased on a tee at Cotton Bureau
October 2018
Red Crowned Crane
Another Sunday afternoon sketch realized. In Japan this crane is sacred. It’s a symbol of happiness, eternal youth, fidelity, good luck, love, and long life.
Creative Musing
October 2018
__
Kanga & Joey
An illustration that originated from a Sunday afternoon sketch.
Creative Musing + Product
October 2018
__
Flying Dutchman
This display typeface embodies a minimalist, contemporary boxy serif style, inspired by my earlier creation, Dutch Mafia.
Buy this Display Typeface
Flying Dutchman is available for purchase, email me for licensing and cost.
Related Content
Take a look at Flying Dutchman showcased on a vintage skateboard deck by Moose Skateboards.
Creative Musing
September 2018
__
Wonder Woman
This illustration was modeled after the original D.C. Comics Wonder Woman and tv show star, Lynda Carter. Sorry Gal Gadot, I think you’re awesome too.
Client Project
September 2018
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.
+ Brand Identity
+ Creative Direction
+ Concept Development
+ Sketching & Ideation
+ Graphic Design
This project was a collaborative effort, with Kevin White.
Creative Musing + Product
August 2018
__
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.
Creative Musing
August 2018
__
RAM
An illustration crafted with strong lines, smooth corners, and a bold fill.
Client Project
August 2018
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.
+ Illustration Concepts
+ Creative Direction
+ Research
+ Concept Development
+ Sketching & Ideation
+ Refined Concept Sketches
Creative Musing
July 2018
__
Diamonds
Simplified word mark exploration with custom lettering.
Article + Creative Musing
June 2018
__
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.
michael@mkn-design.com
1 616 915 1941
Good design is complexity presented simply
MKN Design LLC © 2024
Formally from Ontario, Canada, now based in West Michigan, USA I help organizations develop creative strategies into artful visual solutions that delight and engage.
