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

—
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

Corewell Health – Wayfinding Design

↓ Process Detail: Phase III - Alternative Main Level & Parking Wayfinding

↑ Complete Three-Phase Process Development Map

↓ Process Detail: Phase II - Application & Concept Review

Client Work

—
Corewell Health – Wayfinding Design
This project set out to design an intuitive, user-centered wayfinding map for Corewell Health’s 25 and 35 Michigan buildings, sparked by a critical insight: patients were frequently arriving late to their appointments due to confusion about their location within the parking structures. The first point of contact for patients typically begins with an email from Corewell Health, directing them to the appropriate parking area for their appointment. From that point on, our project began to take shape—expanding on the existing wayfinding system implemented by Corewell Health to reduce stress, improve punctuality, and enhance the overall experience of navigating their campus.

In response to this challenge, the project focused on enhancing the physical navigation experience through a structured, research-driven approach. Starting with onboarding and immersion, the team worked to under-stand user needs, identify key service traits, and align it with Corewell Health exsisting brand system. Through thorough research, benchmarking, observational studies, and concept development, the project established clear design directions that reflected the organization’s vision—while emphasizing that effectively guiding patients, visitors, and staff was essential.

From initial audits to refined prototypes, the final solution resulted in a simple, effective set of wayfinding signs that clearly communicated a person’s location within the parking structure while also identifying the surrounding buildings across Corewell Health’s campus. The result was a new, human-centered wayfinding components designed not only to guide people to their destinations, but just as importantly, to help them find their way back.


 

  • Corwell Health via Augusto Digital
    Health Industry

  • + Design Director
    + Illustration
    + Graphic Design
    + Qualitative Research
    + User Experience

  • This project was a joint endeavor with The Corewell Health Consumer Experience Team, Augusto Digital via Christy Ennis-Kloote and David Schofield.