Alfred & Mickey Mashup

June 29, 2022

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.

Gosh, Me Worry – ‘Merica & Gosh, Me Worry – Peace graphic tees are 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.

Graphis, Designers for Peace

June 29, 2022

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

April 26, 2022

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

April 15, 2022

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

April 10, 2022

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.

Revox, High Fidelity poster is available for purchase. Explore more posters in my shop.

Llama Fiber Co.

March 23, 2022

Creative Musing
March 2022

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Llama Fiber Co.
Llama Fiber Co. mascot is paired with the typeface Alverata designed by Gerard Unger from TypeTogether.

Panda

March 23, 2022

Creative Musing
February 2022

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Panda
Logo exploration paired with a hand crafted typeface.

Panda 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.

Coldbreak, Brand Strategy & Identity

March 14, 2022

Client Project
March 2022

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Coldbreak, Brand Strategy & Identity
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, brand architecture, iterative messaging, identity development, and brand guidelines were established, evolving into the final Coldbreak 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.

Apparel Iconography

February 10, 2022

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.

Piers Court

January 30, 2022

Creative Musing
January 2022

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Piers Court
Formally owned by the author, Evelyn Waugh. While residing at Piers Court, he wrote several books while he resided there. His countryside home is located in Stinchcombe, a small village in Gloucestershire, England. It was built on top of an original structure from a 16th-century manor, and reconstructed on its remnants in the 18th century, which is the house that stands today. The mark is paired with the typeface Neutraface by House Industries.

Kindly

January 10, 2022

Creative Musing
January 2022

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Kindly
The aim of this type design exercise was to capture the essence of the name, kindly. I’m not a type designer and crafting this lowercase typeface was challenging. Nonetheless, I'm always eager to tackle new challenges. How’d I do?

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.

The Headless Rooster

December 22, 2021

Creative Musing
December 2021

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The Headless Rooster
A macabre mark is paired with the typeface Conglomerat designed by Greg Shutters from Typetanic.

Yoga Square

December 17, 2021

Creative Musing
December 2021

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Yoga Square
A minimalist mark where the concept of "square" is subtly implied through its shapes. The marks is paired with the typeface Conglomerate designed by Greg Shutters from Typetanic.

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.

+ Brand Identity
+ 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

Spiras

November 4, 2021

Creative Musing
November 2021

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Spiras
Exploration on a modern mark for the name Spiras, modern spiral staircase engineers, fabricators, and designers. The mark paired with the typeface Kallisto designed by Rian Hughes from Device Fonts.

Day of the Dead

November 2, 2021

Creative Musing
November 2021

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Day of the Dead
In celebration of the Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos). Though I'm not of Mexican descent, I deeply appreciate their tradition of celebrating and honoring departed loved ones. I’ve utilized the typeface Taurunum Ferrum designed by Nikola Kostić and Zoran Kostić from Kostic Type Foundry.

Skull & Bones Iconography

October 28, 2021

Creative Musing + Product
October 2021

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Skull & Bones Iconography
I had some fun this week creating these scary Halloween icons. I’ve paired the icons with the typeface Metalista designed by Tomáš Brousil from Suitcase Type Foundry.

Skull & Bones icon set is available for purchase, email me for licensing and cost. Some of these graphics are available on tees, check them out at Cotton Bureau.

Forestry Waterway Management Inc.

October 24, 2021

Creative Musing
October 2021

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Forestry Waterway Management Inc.
Combining two elements, trees, and water creates this logo. Mark paired with the typeface ITC Avant Garde Gothic designed by Herb Lubalin and Tom Carnase from Monotype.

__Alfred & Mickey MashupA 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.

Buy these Tees:

Buy these Posters:

Buy these Graphics on Tees:

Accolade:

__Bubble Gum PineThis pine tree is happy that spring is finally here in Michigan... well... almost.

Buy this Tee:

__Apple WatchThis 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.

__ReVoxI’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.

Buy this Poster:

__Llama Fiber Co.Llama Fiber Co. mascot is paired with the typeface Alverata designed by Gerard Unger from TypeTogether.

__PandaLogo exploration paired with a hand crafted typeface.

Buy this Tee

Service:

Tasks:

Imprimatur:

Additional Content:

__Apparel IconographyCrisp bold icons designed for an apparel brand. If you need custom designed iconography, I can help you.

Buy this Icon Set:

__KindlyThe aim of this type design exercise was to capture the essence of the name, kindly. I’m not a type designer and crafting this lowercase typeface was challenging. Nonetheless, I'm always eager to tackle new challenges. How’d I do?

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

Service:

Tasks:

Additional Content:

__The Headless RoosterA macabre mark is paired with the typeface Conglomerat designed by Greg Shutters from Typetanic.

__Yoga SquareA minimalist mark where the concept of "square" is subtly implied through its shapes. The marks is paired with the typeface Conglomerate designed by Greg Shutters from Typetanic.

__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.

Service

Tasks:

__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.

Service:

Tasks:

__SpirasExploration on a modern mark for the name Spiras, modern spiral staircase engineers, fabricators, and designers. The mark paired with the typeface Kallisto designed by Rian Hughes from Device Fonts.

__Skull & Bones IconographyI had some fun this week creating these scary Halloween icons. I’ve paired the icons with the typeface Metalista designed by Tomáš Brousil from Suitcase Type Foundry.

Buy this Icon Set:

__Forestry Waterway Management Inc.Combining two elements, trees, and water creates this logo. Mark paired with the typeface ITC Avant Garde Gothic designed by Herb Lubalin and Tom Carnase from Monotype.

__
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.

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

__
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
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.

__
Llama Fiber Co.
Llama Fiber Co. mascot is paired with the typeface Alverata designed by Gerard Unger from TypeTogether.

__
Panda
Logo exploration paired with a hand crafted typeface.

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

__
Kindly
The aim of this type design exercise was to capture the essence of the name, kindly. I’m not a type designer and crafting this lowercase typeface was challenging. Nonetheless, I'm always eager to tackle new challenges. How’d I do?

__
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.

__
The Headless Rooster
A macabre mark is paired with the typeface Conglomerat designed by Greg Shutters from Typetanic.

__
Yoga Square
A minimalist mark where the concept of "square" is subtly implied through its shapes. The marks is paired with the typeface Conglomerate designed by Greg Shutters from Typetanic.

__
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.

__
Spiras
Exploration on a modern mark for the name Spiras, modern spiral staircase engineers, fabricators, and designers. The mark paired with the typeface Kallisto designed by Rian Hughes from Device Fonts.

__
Skull & Bones Iconography
I had some fun this week creating these scary Halloween icons. I’ve paired the icons with the typeface Metalista designed by Tomáš Brousil from Suitcase Type Foundry.

__
Forestry Waterway Management Inc.
Combining two elements, trees, and water creates this logo. Mark paired with the typeface ITC Avant Garde Gothic designed by Herb Lubalin and Tom Carnase from Monotype.