Creative Musing
February 2021
Swans Reflection
Creative Musing
January 2021
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Swan Reflection
Black and white swans on the water.
Salad Bowl
Creative Musing
January 2021
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Salad Bowl
A medley of fresh greens and protein.
The Well
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.
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Visual Identity
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+ Creative Direction
+ Project Management
+ Custom Typography
+ Illustration
Climbing Out
Creative Musing
January 2021
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Climbing Out
For some, climbing out of 2020 feels like this… carefully ascending out of a hole, while perhaps navigating loss of a loved one, a job, anxiety, depression, long covid. Wishing all a good year of hope and renewal. As Ian Maclaren wisely stated, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."
Happy 2021
Creative Musing
January 2021
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Happy 2021
Bestowing a character to the year 2021. From left to right, Optimistic 2021, 2021 Balancing Act, and 2021 Surprise.
A Year Of Prints
Creative Musing + Products
December 2020
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A Year Of Prints
Some prints from others and some of my own. From left to right:
1. Architectural Styles via Michael Nÿkamp
2. Black Cat via Little Friends
3. Goodbye 2020 via Michael Nÿkamp
4. House Industries via David Dodde
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Architectural Styles and Goodbye 2020 posters are available in my shop.
Statue of Liberty
Creative Musing
December 2020
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Statue of Liberty
Anticipating better days ahead. The poem, The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus was the inspiration for this mark.
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Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flameIs the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "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-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door
– Emma Lazarus
Goodbye 2020
Creative Musing
December 2020
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Goodbye 2020
A poster designed to say goodbye to 2020. It’s was a colorful and topsy-turvy year and I’m glad that it’s over. Perhaps we should celebrate its end—Goodbye, Au revoir. Adiós, 잘가 (Jalga).
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This poster is available for purchase in my shop.
Lost Privacy
Article + Creative Musing
December 2020
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Lost Privacy
Illustrative concepts exploring technology, who owns our data, loss of privacy, and our mental health. Technology (specifically the smallish computer in your pocket) has been a wonderful tool for us. But, they also have been used unethically for data collection, observation of dark patterns, and social network disinformation campaigns. Like warning signs located on products that are dangerous for us, should we do the same for technology products?
Hamad Al Zemami
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.
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+ Portrait Illustration
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+ 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.
Red Riding Hood
Article + Creative Musing
November 2020
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Red Riding Hood
I have been asked many times about my illustrative logo/icon process, so I thought I would share. (it’s very similar to any design process). Though my illustrative style is simple, it does not mean that it's effortless. Process takes time and is a combination of thoughtfulness, collaboration, knowledge, and craft. In the initial phase, sketches and ideation are crafted based on comprehensive research, with only one or a few selected from a wide array of rough concept drawings. Moving into the second phase, the process progresses to defining sketches, utilizing basic shapes to enhance the conceptualization. Finally, in the third phase, numerous iterations, adjustments, and refinements are undertaken until both the client and/or I are satisfied with the result, leading to the culmination of the final execution. The typeface I used for the copy is Gotham design by Jonathan Hoefler and Tobias Frere-Jones at Hoefler&Co.
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Green arrows signify progress in the illustration process, while red arrows indicate a pause or halt in the process.
Lark & Poppy
Creative Musing
November 2020
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Lark & Poppy
This crest was illustrated upon reflection of the poem, in Flanders Fields. For those who are and are not Canadian, on Remembrance Day, Canadians adorn a red poppy over their heart to honor the veterans that fought and died for our freedoms. Read and reflect on the poem, In Flanders Field. The poem was pened during the First World War by Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. Today let's remember all our veterans.
Dark Side of the Moon
Creative Musing
November 2020
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Dark Side of the Moon
A modern take on Pick Floyd’s, Dark Side of the Moon album cover.
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Dark Side of the Moon tee is available for purchase on Cotton Bureau. 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.
The White House
Creative Musing
November 2020
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The White House
New residents in the White House. A fresh start with lots of work to do.
Basin
Creative Musing
November 2020
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Basin
Exploration for a combination mark for a lavatory company. The mark is paired with the typeface Kepler designed by Robert Slimbach from Adobe Originals.
Vote
Seymour Chwast
Creative Musing
October 2020
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Seymour Chwast
Simplified portrait of Seymour Chwast smoking his pipe. Seymour is an American Illustrator, Graphic Designer, and Type designer—he is someone I appreciate and admire.
I Can Read
Creative Musing
September 2020
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I Can Read
A combination mark I developed several years ago indicated reading levels for kids.
Sidewalk Serenade
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.
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+ Graphic Design
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+ Creative Direction
+ Graphic Design
+ Print Management