Independent Work
Hello
Independent Work
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Hello
A very cramped hello wordmark featuring a custom typeface designed by me.
Keepsake
Independent Work
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Keepsake
Design exploration to match the word "Keepsake" with a typeface. I settled on the typeface URW Antiqua designed by URW Type Foundry for its balanced combination of thick and thin strokes, giving it an elegant and approachable feel.
Jabber
Independent Work
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Jabber
Matching the visual essence of a word into a wordmark. The typeface that I used is Proxima Nova designed by Mark Simonson from Mark Simonson Studio.
Dark Side of the Moon
Product
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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. All Cotton Bureau apparel comes in a variety of clothing types, styles, fits, sizes, materials, and colors.
Agri Canada
Independent Work
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Agri Canada
A mark exploration that didn’t make the cut.
Kudo
Independent Work
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Kudo
A hand-lettered wordmark study on the word Kudo, meaning praise and honor received for an achievement. This is a custom made typeface.
ITHAKA S+R – Brand Collateral Design System
Nonprofit Client Work
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ITHAKA S+R – Brand Collateral Design System
ITHAKA S+R, an organization that conducts research and provides strategic guidance to help the academic community navigate economic and technological change, needed a unified design system for all their communication materials. They hired us to modernize their system by creating an accessible, brand-compliant design that could be easily updated and maintained by their team.
A key requirement was enabling staff to create or update all redesigned materials. Our research identified Google Workspace (Docs, Slides, and Sheets) as the optimal platform for implementation. The resulting design system follows Ithaka’s brand guidelines, incorporates accessibility considerations—including color blindness and visual impairments—and provides clear, distinct visual cues for different document types such as case studies, issue briefs, research reports, and unpublished reports.
Through iterative design explorations, we delivered a unified system that gives Ithaka’s educational research materials and presentations a consistent, distinctive, and accessible visual identity.
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ITHAKA S+R
Research & Consulting Services -
+ Art Direction
+ Concept Development
+ Creative Assets
+ Illustration
+ Infographic Design
+ Qualitative Research
+ Visual Identity -
MKN Design Team:
+ Michael Nÿkamp, Art Director
+ Kate Folkert, Graphic Designer
ITHAKA S+R Stakeholders:
+ Liza Pagano, Creative Director
+ Kimberly Lutz, Publications, Communications, Marketing Director
+ Travis Shook, Microsoft 365 Specialist
3DC19 – Brand Identity
Nonprofit Client Work
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3DC19 – Brand Identity
During the 2020 pandemic, 3DC19 emerged as a response to the heightened demand for PPE among frontline workers. This initiative was prompted by disruptions in the supply chain caused by the U.S. stay-at-home order.
To tackle this challenge, a group of makers, creators, and volunteers based in West Michigan collaborated to print 3D face shields, ear savers and more. This collaborative effort brought together individuals with a shared objective to address the pressing need for protective equipment.
In this collaboration, my role involved assisting the 3DC19 team in crafting a logo, icons, and brand guidelines to enhance their visibility within their communities and on social media platforms. The group and I contributed time, materials, and resources to manufacture PPE equipment free of charge for frontline workers.
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3DC19
Healthcare & Medical Products -
+ Brand Advisor
+ Concept Development
+ Creative Strategy
+ Design Direction
+ Qualitative Research
+ Visual Identity -
MKN Design Team:
+ Michael Nÿkamp, Design Director
3DC19 Stakeholders:
+ Chris Kaminsky, Co-Founder
+ Charles Elwood, Co-Founder
+ Winston Hofer, Co-Founder
+ Dugan Karnazes, Co-Founder
+ Jeff Robinson, Co-Founder
+ Stephen Wierenga, Co-Founder
Onward
Independent Work
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Onward
An orderly wordmark of marching letter forms.
Topiary Wordmark
Independent Work
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Topiary Wordmark
Exploration developing hand-styled lettering and animation that demonstrates the definition of the word. This is a custom made typeface.
Yikes!
Independent Work
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Yikes!
A jolting wordmark expression exercise. This badge is paired with the typeface Poppins designed by Jonny Pinhorn and Ninad Kale from Google.
Farout
Product
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Farout
Using my custom display typeface, Flying Dutchman and added a 2-D effect I placed the word farout on a classic deck by Moose Skateboards.
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Farout was created using the Flying Dutchman display typeface. If you're interested in purchasing this typeface, please email email me for licensing and cost.
Word Visualizations
Independent Work
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Word Visualizations
An exercise defining words visually. The custom typeface was designed specifically for this exercise.
Happy New Year
Independent Work
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Happy New Year
This greeting is sponsored by the numbers 2, 0, 1, and 9. Happy New Year.
Flying Dutchman
Product
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Flying Dutchman
This display typeface embodies a minimalist, contemporary boxy serif style, inspired by my earlier creation, Dutch Mafia.
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Flying Dutchman is available for purchase, email me for licensing and cost.
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Take a look at Flying Dutchman showcased on a vintage skateboard deck by Moose Skateboards.
Void
Independent Work
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Void
Visual exploration.
Maze
Independent Work
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Maze
Illustration of the link between the work maze and form.
Google Doodle
Independent Work
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Google Doodle
My idea of writing 'Google' with building blocks came from playing with my two kids and their wooden blocks. We were using a set of primary color blocks, and the colors and shapes reminded me of Google. This inspired me to use the blocks to create an abstract version of Google's wordmark.
For nearly two centuries, wooden building blocks have been a common presence in children's playrooms (and for the adults who join in), enriching their playtime experiences. In the 1800s, German education pioneer Friedrich Fröbel crafted wooden block set, laying the groundwork for his innovative approach to early childhood education.
Fröbel, renowned for inventing "Kindergarten," revolutionized the field and his educational concept remains influential today.