A Country For All

January 12, 2018

Independent Work

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A Country For All
“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-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

Ars Fabricandis

January 10, 2018

Independent Work

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Ars Fabricandis
The Latin inscription on this seal translates to "The Art Of Making". Artfulness encompasses craftsmanship, skill, and dedication. These are qualities I value and embody in all the client and personal projects I develop.

The Highlands

January 5, 2018

Client Work

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The Highlands – Architectural Illustration
I illustrated a simple representation of the Highlands for owners Boon & Caro Sheridan. The architectural style of the church is a Victorian Gothic Revival, constructed in 1885, which now serves as their residence.

Boon & Caro Sheridan
+ Architectural Illustration
+ Sketching & Ideation
MKN Design Team:
+ Michael Nÿkamp, Illustrator
Stakeholders:
+ Boon Sheridan
+ Caro Sheridan

Google Doodle Building Blocks

December 28, 2017

Independent Work

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Google Doodle, Building Blocks
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.

Ramen House

December 23, 2017

Independent Work

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Ramen House
Chopsticks, ramen, in a Jukkoku-bachi bowl. The letterforms are a custom typeface designed specifically to for this mark.

The Bunk House

December 15, 2017

Independent Work

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The Bunk House
Simple and literal mark defining its name. The mark is paired with the typeface Poppins designed by Jonny Pinhorn and Ninad Kale from Google.

Spectrum Health – UX & Illustration Storytelling

December 13, 2017

Client Work

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Spectrum Health – UX & Illustration Storytelling
A prominent healthcare provider dedicated to delivering exceptional medical services and improving community health, Spectrum Health (now Corwell Health) plays a vital role in enhancing the well-being of individuals across various West Michigan. Working alongside a team of engineers and developers, I helped design and develop functional prototype application named My Chart.

This endeavor required a strategic approach, including the use of personas, iterative wire-framing, and meticulous design iterations to craft a compelling and user-centric digital journey for patients.

The application catered to both new and returning patients of Spectrum Health facilities, offering features such as iPad-based check-in for hospital and doctor appointments, seamless access to medical records, and entertainment options.

Spectrum Health via Mutually Human
Health Care Facilities & Services
+ Concept Development
+ Design Direction
+ Illustration Storytelling
+ Qualitative Research
+ User Experience
+ Sketching & Ideation
MKN Design Team:
+ Michael Nÿkamp, Visual Storytelling & UX/UI
Mutually Human Stakeholders:
+ Ross Hunter, Software Craftsman
+ Mark Van Holstyn, Founder and CTO

North Shore

December 1, 2017

Independent Work

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North Shore
An organic clothing brand logo incorporating earth elements seamlessly paired with a custom typeface I designed specifically to complement the mark.

Blue Whale

November 27, 2017

Independent Work

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Blue Whale
Detail of simple circular blue whale mark as a signature for letterhead.

Star Wonder

November 23, 2017

Independent Work

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Star Wonder
I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night – Sarah Williams. Star Wonder paired with Suburban Rooftops print

Verrazano Narrows Bridge

November 16, 2017

Independent Work

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Verrazano Narrows Bridge
The logo’s mark is paired with the typeface DIN Condensed designed by Isabella Chaeva and Tagir Safayev fom Paratype.

Black Swan Records

October 26, 2017

Independent Work

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Black Swan Records
There's nothing more pleasing to a designer when two elements come together magically.

Russian Wolfhound

October 19, 2017

Independent Work

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Russian Wolfhound
I created this simple line illustration a few years ago. Found it this morning while searching for another project.

Hopscotch Co.

October 13, 2017

Independent Work

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Hopscotch Co.
Who would have guessed that the letters in hopscotch perfectly align with the game itself? The mark is paired with the typeface DIN 2014 designed by Vasily Biryukov from Paratype.

ILLOHUS

October 5, 2017

Product

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ILLOHUS
I designed this logo for my side hustle.

I opened up a small shop on my website to sell posters and digital products. Peruse all the products available in my shop.

Red Headed Finch

September 27, 2017

Independent Work

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Red Headed Finch
Minimalist study on this Red Headed Finch.

Weekend Exploration

September 25, 2017

Independent Work

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Weekend Exploration
Fun exploration with typeface and illustration this weekend.

Fultonwood Type Foundry Poster

September 19, 2017

Client Work

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Fultonwood Type Foundry Poster
A small West Michigan type foundry, founded by Zac Freeland, a young enthusiastic graphic and type designer. He now is works for the Detroit Red Wings & Detroit Tigers as a graphic designer. Dream job!

I collaborated with Fultonwood Type Foundry to create an illustrative story highlighting their design process and homage to traditional typeface tools, echoing the stylistic elements of typefaces they craft.

Fultonwood Type Foundry
Independent Typography Studio
+ Graphic Design
+ Illustration
MKN Design Team:
+ Michael Nÿkamp, Design Director
Peopledesign Stakeholder:
+ Zac Freeland, Founder & Type Designer
This poster is available for purchase in my shop.

Pandas & Rainbows – Brand Identity

September 16, 2017

Client Work

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Pandas & Rainbows – Brand Identity
A collective of modest independent illustrators, graphic designers, and developers, each with their unique talents, shared a common space and goal: to produce high-quality work for clients while also supporting one another. Like the collective, the mascots are bashful Pandas, which when joining together shoot ray of love, light and magic from their badges.

The mascots are a cross between a Care Bear and Panda. These fun mascots were made several years ago for P&R. These mascots where paired with the typeface SG Europa Grotesk No. 2 designed by Scangraphic.

Panda & Rainbows
Independent Creative Collaborative
+ Brand Advisor
+ Concept Development
+ Creative Assets
+ Design Direction
+ Qualitative Research
+ Visual Identity
The five members of this independent group where made up of designers, illustrators, web developers and game developers. The members of this independent group where:

+ Kurt Devlaeminck, Designer & Illustrator
+ Michael Nÿkamp, Designer & Illustrator
+ Celeste Pretzel Ritsema, Web Designer
+ Todd Ritsema, Creative Digital Experience Designer

Edgewood Bakery – Brand Identity

September 15, 2017

Client Work

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Edgewood Bakery – Brand Identity
A local bakery, owned and operated by Rita Selles. Edgewood Bakery curates a mix a delectable array of American classics and European-inspired desserts. Rita is an experienced baker who was taught baking from her mother’s kitchen, her years spent in France to her home in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She graduated from the Secchia Institute of Culinary Education for Baking and Pastry Arts.

The concept exploration aimed for a simple design that conveyed delectable while evoking a modern European-American vibe. Through careful consideration of color, typography, and minimalist illustration, the final result captured the essence of Edgewood Bakery's unique desserts and evoked the name of her business.

Edgewood Bakery
European Specialty Bakery
+ Brand Advisor
+ Concept Development
+ Creative Assets
+ Design Direction
+ Qualitative Research
+ Visual Identity
MKN Design Team:
+ Michael Nÿkamp, Design Director
+ Otto Selles, Photography
Edgewood Bakery Stakeholders:
+ Rita Selles, CEO & Baker

—A Country For All“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-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

—Ars FabricandisThe Latin inscription on this seal translates to "The Art Of Making". Artfulness encompasses craftsmanship, skill, and dedication. These are qualities I value and embody in all the client and personal projects I develop.

—The Highlands – Architectural IllustrationI illustrated a simple representation of the Highlands for owners Boon & Caro Sheridan. The architectural style of the church is a Victorian Gothic Revival, constructed in 1885, which now serves as their residence.

Client:

Services:

Team:

—Ramen HouseChopsticks, ramen, in a Jukkoku-bachi bowl. The letterforms are a custom typeface designed specifically to for this mark.

—The Bunk HouseSimple and literal mark defining its name. The mark is paired with the typeface Poppins designed by Jonny Pinhorn and Ninad Kale from Google.

Client:

Services:

Team:

—North ShoreAn organic clothing brand logo incorporating earth elements seamlessly paired with a custom typeface I designed specifically to complement the mark.

—Blue WhaleDetail of simple circular blue whale mark as a signature for letterhead.

—Star WonderI have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night – Sarah Williams. Star Wonder paired with Suburban Rooftops print

—Verrazano Narrows BridgeThe logo’s mark is paired with the typeface DIN Condensed designed by Isabella Chaeva and Tagir Safayev fom Paratype.

—Black Swan RecordsThere's nothing more pleasing to a designer when two elements come together magically.

—Russian WolfhoundI created this simple line illustration a few years ago. Found it this morning while searching for another project.

—Hopscotch Co.Who would have guessed that the letters in hopscotch perfectly align with the game itself? The mark is paired with the typeface DIN 2014 designed by Vasily Biryukov from Paratype.

—ILLOHUSI designed this logo for my side hustle.

*NEW* Poster Shop:

—Red Headed FinchMinimalist study on this Red Headed Finch.

—Weekend Exploration Fun exploration with typeface and illustration this weekend.

—Fultonwood Type Foundry PosterA small West Michigan type foundry, founded by Zac Freeland, a young enthusiastic graphic and type designer. He now is works for the Detroit Red Wings & Detroit Tigers as a graphic designer. Dream job!

I collaborated with Fultonwood Type Foundry to create an illustrative story highlighting their design process and homage to traditional typeface tools, echoing the stylistic elements of typefaces they craft.

Client:

Services:

Team:

Buy this Poster:

The mascots are a cross between a Care Bear and Panda. These fun mascots were made several years ago for P&R. These mascots where paired with the typeface SG Europa Grotesk No. 2 designed by Scangraphic.

Client:

Services:

Team:

Client:

Services:

Team:

—
A Country For All
“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-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

—
Ars Fabricandis
The Latin inscription on this seal translates to "The Art Of Making". Artfulness encompasses craftsmanship, skill, and dedication. These are qualities I value and embody in all the client and personal projects I develop.

—
The Highlands – Architectural Illustration
I illustrated a simple representation of the Highlands for owners Boon & Caro Sheridan. The architectural style of the church is a Victorian Gothic Revival, constructed in 1885, which now serves as their residence.

—
Ramen House
Chopsticks, ramen, in a Jukkoku-bachi bowl. The letterforms are a custom typeface designed specifically to for this mark.

—
The Bunk House
Simple and literal mark defining its name. The mark is paired with the typeface Poppins designed by Jonny Pinhorn and Ninad Kale from Google.

—
North Shore
An organic clothing brand logo incorporating earth elements seamlessly paired with a custom typeface I designed specifically to complement the mark.

—
Blue Whale
Detail of simple circular blue whale mark as a signature for letterhead.

—
Star Wonder
I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night – Sarah Williams. Star Wonder paired with Suburban Rooftops print

—
Verrazano Narrows Bridge
The logo’s mark is paired with the typeface DIN Condensed designed by Isabella Chaeva and Tagir Safayev fom Paratype.

—
Black Swan Records
There's nothing more pleasing to a designer when two elements come together magically.

—
Russian Wolfhound
I created this simple line illustration a few years ago. Found it this morning while searching for another project.

—
Hopscotch Co.
Who would have guessed that the letters in hopscotch perfectly align with the game itself? The mark is paired with the typeface DIN 2014 designed by Vasily Biryukov from Paratype.

—
ILLOHUS
I designed this logo for my side hustle.

—
Red Headed Finch
Minimalist study on this Red Headed Finch.

—
Weekend Exploration
Fun exploration with typeface and illustration this weekend.

—
Fultonwood Type Foundry Poster
A small West Michigan type foundry, founded by Zac Freeland, a young enthusiastic graphic and type designer. He now is works for the Detroit Red Wings & Detroit Tigers as a graphic designer. Dream job!