Carbon Cycle

February 10, 2023

Client Project
February 2023

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Carbon Cycle
Creating and illustrating a carbon cycle infographic for a major producer of sustainable lumber, pulp, and paper. Our task was to clearly communicate the client's approach to combating climate change while showcasing their strong commitment to environmental sustainability.

The goal was to streamline a complex sustainability concept, making it visually captivating and ensuring the audience was able to comprehend the initiative. The final infographic was simple and friendly, conveying the client’s message of responsible environmental stewardship and dedication to a greener, more sustainable future.

+ Infographic
+ Research
+ Concept Development
+ Sketching & Ideation
+ Illustration
+ Design & Layout
This project was a collaborative effort, with Peopledesign providing Art Direction.

Navigator

January 26, 2023

Client Project
January 2023

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Navigator Driving Academy
After 23 years of growth, Navigator's brand no longer aligned with its current focus on training young teenagers and adults in smart or autonomous vehicles, nor did it represent the direction Navigator aimed to pursue. Therefore, a new brand was imperative to reflect its evolution accurately.

Navigator had a few distinctive design challenges that required resolution:
1. Develop a logo that intuitively feels like a driving academy without feeling or stating it's a driving academy.
2. Logo to be perceived as trustworthy, safe, and exceptional to parents (core audience), but also conveys a cool factor for teen student drivers (secondary audience).
3. By law, driving academy vehicles are legally required to have ‘student driver’ signage on their vehicles. This is typically resolved with magnetic ‘student driver’ signs prone to slipping or peeling. A solution was needed to seamlessly integrate Navigator's logo with the required signage—ensuring a purposeful design rather than an afterthought, enhancing both safety and branding.

The final combined logo for Navigator successfully tackled every design challenge with a bold, attention-grabbing appearance. It seamlessly integrated the student driver sign by utilizing a vehicle wrap, ensuring a cohesive and visually striking solution.

+ Brand Identity
+ Creative Direction
+ Project Management
+ Qualitative Research
+ Concept Development
+ Sketching & Ideation
+ Design & Layout
+ Brand Mockups
+ Vehicle Wrap

FluMist Packaging

November 22, 2022

Client Project
November 2022

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FluMist Concept Packaging
I was hired to design conceptual packaging for AstraZeneca new product, FluMist Quadrivalent. This project encompassed more than just packaging design; it also involved providing design guidance for an information packet, instructional illustrations, and physical prototypes.

Given the innovative nature of the vaccine delivery method, our design approach was dual- focused, targeting both parents and children. Consequently, we aimed to instill a sense of trustworthiness, friendliness, and clarity in the exterior and interior packaging, ensuring that all strict packaging regulations by the FDA were prominently displayed. Simultaneously, it was crucial to convey professionalism while remaining approachable. This was accomplished by incorporating a vibrant color scheme, employing friendly typography, and fun illustrations while it was being unboxed.

+ Package Design
+ Qualitative Research
+ Concept Development
+ Sketching & Ideation
+ Illustration
+ Instructional Illustration
+ Physical Prototyping
+ User Experience
+ Product Mockups
This project was a collaborative effort, with VML providing Art Direction.

KitchenAid Packaging

August 18, 2022

Client Project
August 2022

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KitchenAid Packaging
KitchenAid is the leader in home appliance brands. The company was established in 1919 and is headquartered in Saint Joseph, Michigan. Renowned for the innovative and iconic KitchenAid Mixer, now used in most kitchens around the world. The company sells an average of 2.5 million mixers per year.

KitchenAid partnered with MKN Design to define and develop new brand packaging using clean design, illustration and iconography.At the project onset, we gathered research on consumer trends, packaging, design, and illustrative styles. Using this research, we conceptualized packaging ideas and brought them to life in physical form. The result was a collection of innovative packaging concepts that highlighted KitchenAid's unique products, establishing them as a bold leader in kitchen appliances tailored to their consumers.

+ Packaging Design
+ Research (competitive, consumer, trend)
+ Concept Development
+ Sketching & Ideation
+ Graphic Design & Layout
+ Iconography
+ Instructional Illustrations
+ Product Illustrations
+ Mockups
This project was a joint endeavor involving numerous individuals from both the KitchenAid design team and external independent contractors, such as Heather Tucker and myself.

Coldbreak

March 14, 2022

Client Project
March 2022

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Coldbreak
Coldbreak started in 2005 from humble beginnings. As they grew, they acquired a stellar reputation within the draft equipment industry. Today they are the leader in the development, engineering, and designing of mobile draft equipment for breweries, entertainment and hospitality industries, brewing enthusiasts, and other aficionados. Aware of this, Coldbreak knew that its logo had aged and did not reflect its current reputation and vision.

Guided a client in orchestrating the conception, formation, and design of the Coldbreak identity. As we moved through the process, we distilled insights gathered from audience and stakeholder interviews, shaping the foundation of the brand. This foundation delineated the brand’s tone, defined the voice and visual direction of the brand. As we progressed, additional interviews, journey mapping, naming, brand architecture, iterative brand development, and brand guidelines were established, evolving into the final Become brand.

+ Brand Strategy & Identity
+ Team Leadership
+ Creative Direction
+ Qualitative & Quantitative Research
+ Project Management
+ User Interviews
+ Qualitative Research
+ Brand Messaging
+ Visual Identity
+ Brand Strategy
+ Concept Developement
+ Sketching & Ideation
+ Illustration
+ Vehicle Wrap
After a decade of struggling to find our identity internally, we reached out to MKN Design. Michael quickly immersed himself in our company culture, history, and future goals to create the an accurate brand strategy and visual identity. To say we’re happy with the results is a huge understatement.

— Boyd Culver, CEO of Coldbreak
View the preliminary concepts that where explored for Become.

Coldbreak Mark Exploration

December 24, 2021

Client Project
December 2021

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Coldbreak Mark Exploration
Though these marks where not selected by Coldbreak they laid the groundwork for refinement, ultimately leading to Coldbreak’s final brand identity.

These unselected marks where drawn from research and interviews conducted during the initial discovery phase. While they weren't ultimately chosen they served as a foundation for further refinement, contributing to the execution of Coldbreak’s brand identity. The sixth concept (bottom right) guided the direction towards Coldbreak's ultimate brand identity.

+ Branding
+ Research
+ Concept Development
+ Sketching & Ideation
+ Illustration
View the completed brand strategy and identity project.

Foreshadow

December 4, 2021

Client Project
December 2021

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Foreshadow
This startup developed a machine learning algorithm to preemptively identify potential threats of malicious phishing attacks. Their goal was to alert users of potential threats to their online security and privacy.

This startup developed a machine learning algorithm to preemptively identify potential threats of malicious phishing attacks. Their goal was to alert users of potential threats to their online security and privacy. With a staggering 97% of people unable to discern phishing attacks, their innovative solution aimed to bridge this critical gap in cybersecurity awareness for home use.

+ Branding
+ Creative Direction
+ Research (competitive, consumer)
+ Concept Development
+ Sketching & Ideation
+ Iconography
+ Mockups

Twelve Days of Christmas

November 29, 2021

Client Project
November 2021

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Twelve Days of Christmas
I designed these festive Christmas invitations for my neighbor, featuring the illustration of a partridge in a pear tree by CSA Design. To make it pop, I incorporated gold foil. The final invitations were printed by Moo.

+ Graphic Design
+ Creative Direction
+ Concept Development
+ Graphic Design & Layout
+ Print Management

Become

June 2, 2021

Phase I: Understand + Discovery

Phase II: Ideate + Define + Develop

Phase III: Execute + Deliver

Client Project
June 2021

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Become
Become is an education and learning website that help individuals navigate and connect with schools and businesses through deep insights and data-backed guidance. My team worked closely with Become's founders to develop their brand design system, covering everything from messaging, naming to the identity.

I led a team in planning, development, and design of the Become brand identity. Through my comprehensive process we distilled insights gathered from audience and stakeholder interviews, shaping the foundation of the brand. This foundation delineated the brand’s tone, defined the voice and visual direction of the brand. As we progressed, additional interviews, journey mapping, naming, brand architecture, iterative brand development evolving into a simple, meaningful and approachable brand. After this effort a detailed brand guidelines was established.

The word 'Become' was crafted by merging the space between its initial and final letters. This simple alteration embodies the concept of 'Become' as a companion throughout one's professional journey. Additionally, this modification transforms the tense of the word from future to present, implying that individuals can embrace their current selves or evolve into something new.

+ Branding
+ Team Leadership
+ Project Management
+ Creative Direction
+ Qualitative & Quantitative Research
+ Brand Messaging
+ Naming
+ Visual Identity
Michael Nÿkamp served as a patient and adept navigator during our brand discovery expedition. His guidance enabled us to gain profound insights into our company's identity. Although the outcome was unexpected, it perfectly aligned with our aspirations. None of this would have happened without him and for that, we are very grateful.
— Ryan Montgomery, CEO of Become
View the initial mark exploration concepts for Become.
Phase III fun illustrations drawn by David Schofield.

Fast Company Portraits

May 28, 2021

Client Project
May 2021

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Fast Company Portraits
Fast Company commissioned me to create several illustrative portraits for the Define Your Purpose, Special Edition magazine.

+ Portrait Illustration
+ Style Development
+ Sketching & Ideation
+ Illustration
+ CANUX Conference Portraits
+ Herman Miller Threads Portraits
+ Portrait Style Evolution

Become Mark Exploration

May 8, 2021

Client Project
October 2019

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Become Mark Exploration
I was hired by Become to develop their brand messaging framework and new identity. With the first phase completed we had language that helped create these concept marks. While the new identity has not launched, I wanted to share these initial concept explorations—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Not all of these explorations were shown to the client, but they all played a crucial part in shaping the final brand identity.

Brand Strategy + Identity
+ Creative Direction
+ Concept Development
+ Sketching & Ideation
+ Illustration
View the completed Become Identity.

Maggie Bandstra Studio

March 11, 2021

Client Project
March 2021

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Maggie Bandstra Studio
Maggie is a versatile artist and educator who seamlessly transitions between painting and crafting clay sculptures and pottery. Her creative endeavors are unified by a captivating exploration of themes such as nature, healing, and human connection.

The organic shapes within her logo are reflective of the forms recurrent in both her paintings and pottery creations. While her identity remains neutral, Maggie's vibrant personality permeates her work, ensuring that her art takes center stage. During the exploration phase, it became evident that Maggie required multiple logo marks to accommodate diverse applications across her artwork and to maintain a professional presence across various stamped, printed and digital platforms.

+ Branding
+ Creative Direction
+ Qualitative Research
+ Visual Identity
+ Stationery Design

Portrait Style Evolution

March 2, 2021

Client Project + Product
March 2021

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Portrait Style Evolution
These portraits illustrations started as a self-initiated project in 2013 as a stratagem, but also to expanded my skill as an illustrator.

The project began with drawing a few of my Facebook friends and turned into a series of paid client projects for the CanUX Conference, Herman Miller, Fast Company, and IxDA. This personal initiative were simple portrait line studies and evolved to a refined style without compromising its minimalist feel. Portraits from top to bottom: Sam Bleckley, Steve Frykholm, and Hamad Al Zemami.

+ Portrait Illustration
+ Style Development
+ Sketching & Ideation
+ Illustration
Looking for a custom illustrated portrait of yourself or a group? Reach out via email for further information and details.

The Well

January 7, 2021

Client Project
January 2021

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The Well
The Well Initiative is a place of gathering, conversation, and community. Formed by a group of fellow believers who felt an urgency and awareness of the racial disparities in our country and the desire to better love to our neighbors and community.

Like the priest and the Levite who pass by on the other side of the road to avoid the man who lies dying (Luke 10), we also have ignored the historic as well as present suffering of those around us, often in the context of race. The Well comes together across generations, political lines, and various backgrounds to humbly listen, learn, and engage with open hearts and minds.

Visual Identity
+ Creative Direction
+ Project Management
+ Custom Typography
+ Illustration

Hamad Al Zemami

November 25, 2020

Client Project
November 2020

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Hamad Al Zemami
I was commissioned to create a portrait of Hamad. The minimalist illustrative style began with simple lines and has since evolved with the addition of bold fills. These portraits are part of a continued series inspired by a self-promotional project I initiated in 2012, named Facebook Friends.

+ Portrait Illustration
+ Style Development
+ Sketching & Ideation
+ Illustration
Looking for a custom illustrated portrait of yourself or a group? Reach out via email for further information and details.

Sidewalk Serenade

August 24, 2020

Client Project
August 2020

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Sidewalk Serenade
An invitation I designed for my neighbors, Barbara & George Gordon, who annually host a delightful tradition in our neighborhood. Every summer, they arrange for a small ensemble from the Grand Rapids Orchestra to serenade us in their front yard. The cards I created featured a touch of elegance with flashes of gold foil, adding a touch of bling, bling to the invitation.

+ Graphic Design
+ Creative Direction
+ Graphic Design
+ Print Management

ITHAKA S+R

April 10, 2020

Client Project
April 2020

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ITHAKA S+R
Dedicated to supporting higher education's digital transformation, ITHAKA S+R is a nonprofit conducting research, offering strategic guidance, and providing consulting services. Working closely with ITHAKA S+R, I revamped and modernized their existing design system, creating a beautiful and distinctive visual identity.

ITHAKA S+R enlisted me to modernize their design for reports, presentations, and infographics, emphasizing enhancements in design, color, and typography within a clear and comprehensive design system. The project had strict requirements, including adherence to brand guidelines, consideration of color blindness and visual impairments, and the need for distinct visual cues for various document types. Additionally, staff needed the capability to create or update all redesigned materials. After research, it was determined that Google Workspace (Docs, Slides, and Sheets) would be the optimal solution for creating these materials. The result was a unified design system that stayed true to ITHAKA S+R’s brand guidelines while providing a distinct visual identity for educational research materials and presentations.

+ Design System
+ Creative Direction
+ Project Management
+ Qualitative Research
+ Concept Development
+ System Design & Layout
+ Illustration

3DC19

April 7, 2020

Client Project
April 2020

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3DC19
During the height of the pandemic I collaborated (pro bono) with a team of individuals to develop a logo and icons. The group, 3DC19 is a collective of makers, creators, and volunteers based in West Michigan. They dedicated time, materials and resources to producing PPE equipment at no cost for frontline workers during the COVID-19.

+ Brand Identity
+ Creative Direction
+ Project Management
+ Qualitative Research
+ Concept Development
+ Iconography

Brand Motion

January 12, 2020

Client Projects + Creative Musings
January 2020

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Brand Motion
These various logos and marks have been created by using simple motion design. Integrating subtle motion not only elevates the visual appeal of your brand but also serves as a powerful means to forge a connection with your audience. This approach contributes to narrating a captivating brand story, making it easier for your customers to relate and remember your brand. If you are seeking assistance in establishing your brand or revitalizing an existing one, feel free to contact me.

+ Brand Identity & Animation
+ Creative Direction
+ Concept Development
+ Sketching & Ideation
+ Illustration
+ Motion Design

KitchenAid Coffee Drip

June 19, 2019

Client Project
June 2019

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KitchenAid Coffee Drip
Created a range of ideation sketches and technical illustrations for KitchenAid’s latest coffee maker, focusing on highlighting the distinctive Spiral Head feature. This feature ensures an even saturation of water on coffee grounds, extracting the best flavor and taste. The project underwent several phases of exploration, including discovery, concept sketching, and ideation. I incorporated different perspectives to determine the most effective approach for showcasing the even saturation concept. This culminated in a straightforward line drawing with subtle coloring and a phantom-style technical illustration.

Services
• Research
• Concept Development
• Sketching & Ideation
• Illustrative Storytelling
• Product Illustration

__Carbon Cycle Creating and illustrating a carbon cycle infographic for a major producer of sustainable lumber, pulp, and paper. Our task was to clearly communicate the client's approach to combating climate change while showcasing their strong commitment to environmental sustainability.

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__Coldbreak Mark ExplorationThough these marks where not selected by Coldbreak they laid the groundwork for refinement, ultimately leading to Coldbreak’s final brand identity.

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__ForeshadowThis startup developed a machine learning algorithm to preemptively identify potential threats of malicious phishing attacks. Their goal was to alert users of potential threats to their online security and privacy.

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__Twelve Days of ChristmasI designed these festive Christmas invitations for my neighbor, featuring the illustration of a partridge in a pear tree by CSA Design. To make it *pop*, I incorporated gold foil. The final invitations were printed by Moo.

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__Fast Company PortraitsFast Company commissioned me to create several illustrative portraits for the Define Your Purpose, Special Edition magazine.

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__Maggie Bandstra StudioMaggie is a versatile artist and educator who seamlessly transitions between painting and crafting clay sculptures and pottery. Her creative endeavors are unified by a captivating exploration of themes such as nature, healing, and human connection.

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__Portrait Style EvolutionThese portraits illustrations started as a self-initiated project in 2013 as a stratagem, but also to expanded my skill as an illustrator.

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__The WellThe Well Initiative is a place of gathering, conversation, and community. Formed by a group of fellow believers who felt an urgency and awareness of the racial disparities in our country and the desire to better love to our neighbors and community.

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Carbon Cycle
Creating and illustrating a carbon cycle infographic for a major producer of sustainable lumber, pulp, and paper. Our task was to clearly communicate the client's approach to combating climate change while showcasing their strong commitment to environmental sustainability.

__
Coldbreak Mark Exploration
Though these marks where not selected by Coldbreak they laid the groundwork for refinement, ultimately leading to Coldbreak’s final brand identity.

__
Foreshadow
This startup developed a machine learning algorithm to preemptively identify potential threats of malicious phishing attacks. Their goal was to alert users of potential threats to their online security and privacy.

__
Twelve Days of Christmas
I designed these festive Christmas invitations for my neighbor, featuring the illustration of a partridge in a pear tree by CSA Design. To make it pop, I incorporated gold foil. The final invitations were printed by Moo.

__
Fast Company Portraits
Fast Company commissioned me to create several illustrative portraits for the Define Your Purpose, Special Edition magazine.

__
Maggie Bandstra Studio
Maggie is a versatile artist and educator who seamlessly transitions between painting and crafting clay sculptures and pottery. Her creative endeavors are unified by a captivating exploration of themes such as nature, healing, and human connection.

__
Portrait Style Evolution
These portraits illustrations started as a self-initiated project in 2013 as a stratagem, but also to expanded my skill as an illustrator.

__
The Well
The Well Initiative is a place of gathering, conversation, and community. Formed by a group of fellow believers who felt an urgency and awareness of the racial disparities in our country and the desire to better love to our neighbors and community.