I’m driven by equal parts thought-fulness, acumen, and craft. My work lives at the intersection of design & illustration, where shapes, colors, and form collide with strategically rooted solutions. 

My style is uncomplicated by intention, which mimics the nature of our client relationships. Open. Honest. Free of clutter. In a world where things can get pretty complicated, I consider it a refreshing approach.

Graphic Design Services:
• Brand Systems – Strategy & Brand Identity
• Brand and Design Consultant
• Creative Direction & Project Management
• Creative Strategy
• Environmental Graphic Design
• Graphic Design
• Motion Design
• Packaging

Illustration Services:
• Custom Illustration Systems
• Custom Iconography Systems
• Conceptual & Editorial Illustration
• Infographic Design
• Motion Design
• Technical Illustration

Simplifying the complex is hard. But it’s what I strive to do. That goes for the design we create and the partnerships we foster. Because in a world that’s complicated, simple just works. 

Opened in 2004, MKN Design nurtures close, collaborative partnerships. Instead of working for you, we work with you—and value transparency from the beginning to the end of the process.

As the owner, creative leader and director of MKN Design, Michael Nÿkamp maintains a roster of smart, independent collaborators. This way, my team can scale up or down, and tailor an approach based on the needs of any project. 

If you value expertly crafted design, made possible by deep experience and a true partnership, let’s talk.

Studio Process
A thoughtful process generates thoughtful design. My process allows each project to be transparent, efficient, and focused. Furthermore, it supports thoughtful design that aligns with your organization's brand and customer needs.

Learn more about our process

Studio Principles
My studio principles guide our thinking and approach. They’ll tell you a lot about the way I work.

1. Design Happens Together
2. Approached with Thoughtfulness
3. Acumen Equals Impact
4. Crafted to Compel
5. Design with Intention

Learn more about our principles

Accolades and Awards:
• Graphis, Designers for Peace Competition – Honorable Mention (2022)
• Broad Stripes, Bright Stars – Displayed at Ely Center of Contemporary Arts (2017)
• Monsa Publications – Featured work of Urban Totem for the book, Skate, Surf and Art (2017)
• Dwell Magazine – Featured in the issue of Dwell Magazine, December (2016)
• Design for Good, Identity System – AIGA Behance Project Feature (2015)
• AIGA, University of Baltimore – O! Say, Can You Design a Poster? – Award of Excellence (2014)
• AIGA Philadelphia Animate! – Fellow Award Gif Animation (2014)
• Communication Arts – Typography Annual Award (2014)
• American Advertising Awards – Creative Excellence for Steelcase.com (2000)
• Heinz Jordan Award – Best in Show, Sheridan College and Heinz Jordan (1998)

Published Work and Articles:
• SoulDoodles - Interview, 3 Steps to Create (2021)
• Playbook – Interview with Michael Nÿkamp (2021)
• Rapid Growth Media – Building an Illustration Community (2017)
• Monsa Publications – Skate, Surf & Art (2017)
• AIGA Detroit – Member Spotlight (2017)
• Rapid Growth Media – Rapid Blog: Building An Illustration Community (2017)
• 360modern – Finding Meaningful Expression through Design and Illustration (2017)
• Moss Yaw Design Studio – The Intersection of Architecture and Illustration (2016)
• Dwell – 7 People to Follow on Dwell Right Now (2016)
• Nook – Redesigning Nook’s Search With Style Architecture Icons (2016)
• CanUX –  Face Behind the Faces (2014)
• Neenah Paper – Collaboration, Freedom, Purpose  (2014)
• Rapid Growth – A Designer, a Typographer and an Illustrator Walk into a Bar  (2014)
• The Rapidian – Artists Collaborate to Raise Awareness of Area Design Talent  (2014)
• Mutually Human, blog post – Countdown to MWUX  (2013)
• MiBiz – The Art of Hustling: Freelancers finding balance (2013)