These pages serve as a repository of MKN Design Studio’s articles, client projects, independent work, and products.

Careful, it’s a rabbit hole.

 

Use the search to find projects by type, or the dropdown to explore by group.

CURE International – Environmental Graphics

Client Work

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CURE International – Environmental Graphics
CURE International partnered with MKN Design to create an environmental design experience for President's Weekend 2026—a gathering of 225+ donors and supporters coming together around a shared mission. The goal was simple: bring CURE's story to life through an immersive environment that guided guests through powerful stories of world-class surgical care and the call of Christ to serve children in need. Every design decision was made with care, balancing love, humility, and impact to create an experience that felt as personal as it did purposeful.

Understanding the venue space—how guests would move through it and where stories would have the greatest impact was essential to shaping the direction of this project.

From there, we translated the initial messaging and sketch into a storytelling environment that was both compelling and on-brand. As the concept evolved, we evaluated how the environment would be produced and experienced within the space. While there was an opportunity to reuse CURE’s existing displays from the previous year, we recommended a different direction. Brightformat's freestanding display system was selected for its durability, portability, and reusability across future events.

By bringing a refined visual narrative to life through purposeful color, typography, and a circular storytelling structure, the elements of brand, messaging, and freestanders formed a cohesive attendee experience that connected emotionally with guests—reflecting both the heart of CURE's mission and the spirit of the weekend.

Each zone was designed to carry its own distinct story, all culminating in the third zone which served as the centerpiece of CURE's mission.

Zone 1, World-Class Surgical Care
Guided viewers through Nathan's scoliosis journey at CURE Ethiopia using a circular clockwise narrative.

Zone 2, Gospel-Based Ministry Care
Traced CURE's holistic, faith-driven approach from community outreach to post-discharge discipleship.

Zone 3, Our Mission
Served as a bold brand statement anchored by "God Operates Here," highlighting CURE's hospital locations across eight countries.

 

  • CURE International
    Non-Profit Organization

  • + Concept Development
    + Creative Strategy
    + Design Direction
    + Qualitative Research
    + Narrative Storytelling
    + Qualitative Research

  • MKN Design Team:
    + Michael Nÿkamp, Design Director

    CURE Stakeholders:
    + Justin Narducci, CEO
    + Gary Weyel, Marketing Director
    + Alex Barnes, Project Manager

    Print Vendor:
    + Brightformat, Inc

  • Related project showcasing Environmental Graphic Design:

    → KitchenAid – Branded Environment Graphics

Midwest UX – Conference Experience Design

Nonprofit Client Work

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Midwest UX – Conference Experience Design
As the Creative Lead and a creative team we partnered with Midwest UX to craft the creative vision for their three-day conference in Grand Rapids. Leading the creative team in the development and design of key visuals, environmental graphics, and digital touchpoints, we created a cohesive experience that reflected the theme of “Place” and highlighted the city’s culture and character.

Guided by the theme, I directed the overarching visual identity that shaped every aspect of the attendee experience. I oversaw the development of key visuals and their application across a comprehensive range of assets, including badges, wayfinding systems, environmental graphics, videos, website design, apparel, and social media content. By defining the conference’s visual language through clear assets and guidelines, I ensured the brand was applied consistently across all touchpoints, creating a cohesive, intuitive, and immersive experience for more than 500 participants for workshops, talks, and keynotes.

Beyond execution, we had the opportunity to showcase what Grand Rapids has to offer, integrating local culture, gastronomy, and context into the conference experience. I collaborated closely with the Midwest UX board, conference board, sponsors, and vendors to ensure alignment between design, logistics, and user experience, balancing creative vision with practical considerations. The resulting design system strengthened the conference brand, enhanced participant engagement, and left a lasting impression on both attendees and the broader UX community.

 

  • Midwest UX
    Conference & Event Services

  • + Brand Advisor
    + Concept Development
    + Creative Direction
    + Creative Assets
    + Environmental Design
    + Qualitative Research
    + Wayfinding Design
    + Website Design

  • MKN Design Team:
    + Michael Nÿkamp, Design Lead
    + Jonah Bailey, Interactive Design Lead
    + Jacob Mcvey, Junior Designer

    Conference Co-Chairs: 
    + Grant Carmichael, Conference Co-Chair
    + Laurel Stanley, Conference Co-Chair
    + Samuel Bowles, Conference  Co-Chair

    MWUX Stakeholders:
    + Erik Dahl, MWUX Board Chair
    + Brandon Stephens, MWUX Board Chair
    + Pam Haaser, MWUX Board Chair