Jazz


Creative Musing
December 2022

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Jazz
An design exercise updating the Jazz Journal wordmark (a magazine produced from 1946–2019). The revised wordmark took from its past and present characteristics to envision a new wordmark with a modern flare.

  • Photo of Louis Armstrong, 1953. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.


Chronicles of Narnia


Creative Musing
November 2022

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Chronicles of Narnia
This emblem is based on my favorite book series as a kid, Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. The crest illustrates Cair Paravel Rampart (top), Aslan (center), and Archenland Coat of Arms (bottom).

 

FluMist® – Packaging Design System


Client Project


FluMist® – Packaging Design System
VML hired me as a packaging specialist to create a distinctive design for AstraZeneca’s FluMist®, including physical prototypes and instructional illustrations.

Given the innovative delivery method—a single-dose nasal spray rather than a traditional needle—this project also demanded a creative approach to the visual design and unboxing experience. Our design approach was dual- focused, targeting both parents and children and included exterior and interior design considerations.

The system included a clear visual guide for administering the dose, reminder stickers, and the physical dose mechanism, all designed to work cohesively within the overall experience.

To achieve an approachable, refined, and safe feel for the design and unboxing experience, we incorporated the brand’s vibrant color palette, friendly typography, and playful illustrations. Our goal was to instill a sense of trustworthiness, friendliness, and clarity in both the exterior and interior packaging while ensuring all strict FDA packaging regulations were prominently displayed. This approach created an unboxing experience that was engaging, clear, and professional, balancing approachability and safety.

Successful packaging begins with a deep understanding of who it’s being designed for, guiding both the visual direction and overall strategy. Equally important is having the expertise to design and develop physical mock-ups, which help identify structural requirements and limitations before applying the visual design. Creating these mock-ups further strengthens the process by providing real-world insight into how the structure, materials, and design elements work together. This ensures that the visual and structural components align seamlessly with the overall design goals, especially within strict pharmaceutical guidelines.

 
  • AstraZeneca
    Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology

  • Packaging Design System

  • + Communication Design
    + Concept Development
    + Creative Assets
    + Instructional Illustration
    + Physical Prototyping
    + Photoshop & Physical Mockups
    + Qualitative Research
    + Unboxing Experience


Dowel Plant Stand


Creative Musing
November 2022

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Dowel Plant Stand
During my downtime, not only do I like to illustrate, but I like to design and build small woodworking projects, like this Dowel Plant Stand. Made from Poplar and constructed only using wood and glue.

  • These plans are available to purchase, email me for cost.


Spooky Cat


Creative Musing
September 2022

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Spooky Cat
Getting into the Halloween spirit by creating illustrations of two spooky black cats. Which one do you prefer, three-eyed cat or the ordinary one?

 

KitchenAid – Packaging Design System


 

Client Project


KitchenAid – Packaging Design System
We were hired by KitchenAid to collaborate with their team of designers, engineers, photographers, and food stylists to define, develop, and design innovative packaging concepts for their award winning appliance products.

When KitchenAid approached me, they weren’t just looking to refresh their packaging—they were looking to reimagine how their iconic products could better connect to consumers, stand out on store shelves alongside competing brands, and reflect the modern, design-forward brand they had become. At the same time, they wanted to ensure that any evolution stayed rooted in the heritage that made KitchenAid a household name—especially with their globally recognized stand mixer.

Building on research and consumer insights from the first phase, we developed a clear design strategy to guide multiple packaging concepts—showcasing KitchenAid’s products as innovative, high-quality, and reinforcing the brand’s position as a leader in kitchen appliances.

When we audited the existing packaging, it became evident that it no longer reflected the expectations of today’s consumers or the evolution of KitchenAid’s products. In a market moving toward bold simplicity, clean visual storytelling, and modern minimalism, the packaging appeared dark, cluttered, and outdated.

The design challenge was clear—reimagine the packaging in a way that honored KitchenAid’s heritage, spoke directly to today’s consumers, and embraced a modern visual language. To support this evolution, we also conceptualized a modern iconography language and illustrative system that could seamlessly integrate across the new packaging.

Working closely with the internal KitchenAid team, we began by diving into consumer insights, packaging trends, and design systems across related industries while also bringing our own creative perspective to the process. From this research, we developed a series of concepts built on a refined visual language that combined bespoke product illustrations with photography to drive storytelling, supported by iconography, color, and typography. All of this was organized within a thoughtful packaging system that could extend across product lines and packaging sizes, reinforcing the brand while prioritizing clarity and consumer engagement.

The final result was a flexible, strategic packaging system that scaled across all products—unmistakably KitchenAid, while reinforcing the brand and putting clarity and consumer engagement at the forefront.

This project came to life through a true cross-disciplinary partnership. Designers, packaging engineers, photographers, and CMF teams each brought their own craft, perspective, and problem-solving to the table—layering ideas, refining details, and ultimately shaping the final packaging concepts together.


↑ Original KitchenAid Packaging

 
  • KitchenAid
    Kitchen Appliance Manufacturing

  • Product Packaging System Design

  • + Branded Iconography
    + Communication Design
    + Concept Development
    + Consumer & Trend Research
    + Iconography System Design
    + Instructional Illustration
    + Photoshop & Physical Mock-ups
    + Product Research
    + Qualitative Research


The Midwest Coast


Creative Musing + Product
August 2022

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The Midwest Coast
A badge-inspired design from my home state of Michigan and its pristine coastline. The inspiration came from our family trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes, National Park—it’s just one of the many places to experience Michigan’s wonderful coast.

  • The Midwest Coast is currently not available. Check back in early June 2024. View additional graphic tee’s on my Cotton Bureau profile page

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    Note:
    All Cotton Bureau apparel comes in a variety of clothing types, styles, fits, sizes, materials, and colors.


Lady of Guadalupe


Creative Musing + Product
August 2022

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Lady of Guadalupe
A modern Illustrative take on the Our Lady of Guadalupe painting found in Tepeyac Hill, Mexico City.

  • Lady of Guadalupe graphic tee is available for purchase. Check out more graphic tees on my Cotton Bureau profile page.

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    Note:
    All Cotton Bureau apparel comes in a variety of clothing types, styles, fits, sizes, materials, and colors.


Alfred & Mickey Mashup


Creative Musing
June 2022

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Alfred & Mickey Mashup
A mad mashup of Mickey Mouse & Alfred E. Neuman from Mad Magazine flashing a peace sign and waving the stars and stripes. The title takes from Mickey's favorite word, "Gosh" and merging it with Alfred's, "Me Worry?" Even Mad Magazine saw it on Instagram and ❤️ it.


Graphis, Designers for Peace


Article + Product
June 2022

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Graphis, Designers for Peace
I submitted a "Designers for Peace" poster series (A.K.A. Ukraine War Series) for the Graphis poster competition. It received an Honorable Mention. This series began as a personal project sparked by Russia's unprovoked war on Ukraine. My aim with this project was to capture a powerful, somber, and raw portrayal of the global emotional response to the conflict.

  • All four posters are available for purchase in my shop.

  • Wage Peace & No War graphics are available for purchase on tees at Cotton Bureau. Check out more graphic tees on my Cotton Bureau profile page.

  • Congratulations! Your excellent poster design has been chosen as an Honorable Mention in our international Designers for Peace competition.

    — B. Martin Pedersen, Creative Director & Publisher


Bubble Gum Pine


Creative Musing + Product
April 2022

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Bubble Gum Pine
This pine tree is happy that spring is finally here in Michigan... well... almost.

  • Bubble Bum Pine graphic tee is available for purchase. Check out more graphic tees on my Cotton Bureau profile page.

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    Note:
    All Cotton Bureau apparel comes in a variety of clothing types, styles, fits, sizes, materials, and colors.


Apple Watch


Creative Musing
April 2022

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Apple Watch
This is an illustration rendering of an Apple Watch, NOT to be confused with a 3D rendering. A trick with illustrating realistic objects is understanding how light, shadow, and reflections behave on objects.

 

ReVox



Creative Musing + Product
April 2022

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ReVox
I’ve always had an affinity for vintage electronics, especially buttons, knobs, and sliders. The illustration is a ReVox Studer 700 Reel-To-Reel Tape Recorder⁠, designed, engineered, and manufactured in Switzerland in 1973.


Apparel Iconography


Creative Musing + Product
February 2022

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Apparel Iconography
Crisp bold icons designed for an apparel brand. If you need custom designed iconography, I can help you.

  • This icon set is available for purchase, email me for licensing and cost.