Chronicles is a repository of articles, client projects, creative musings and products.

 

All content is copyrighted by MKN Design. Reproduction without express written consent is prohibited. To license a specific illustration or design, please contact me via email.

Pixel Playoffs

Article
September 2024

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Pixel Playoffs
I had a fantastic time at Atomic Object for Tech Week GR last night! Comfort & Adam (comfortandadam.com) and I took part in a live head-to-head art competition, based on word prompts from the audience. The prompt we were given was: “The future is a tentacled optimistic Cheez-it.” From there we each created separate illustrations, working independently without seeing the other team’s artwork, all within three half-hour rounds.

Huge thanks to Kimberly Crawford and Brittany Hunter from Atomic Object for organizing such an awesome event for the community!

 

Strategy Requires Creativity

Article + Client Projects
July 2024

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Strategy Requires Creativity
I remember when all creative concepts were hand-drawn. I honed this skill during my college years studying illustration and design, and continue to use it to this day. Nowadays, most clients don't see my sketches, as presenting 'polished' work has become the norm. Nevertheless, my sketches are what made the project.

For me, sketching is essential for visual problem solving and connecting ideas. It continues to help me to create strong visual concepts not only requiring a skilled hand and a good eye, but also empathetic, critical, and conceptual thinking.

If you're seeking human insight, creativity, and thoughtfulness, I can help your brand craft strategic, compelling and unique solutions based on your business objectives, your brand, and your consumers.

 

America’s Obsession

Article + Creative Musing + Product
February 2024

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America’s Obsession
I often explore national and political perspectives through iconic symbolism. The diptych, titled "America's Obsession," delves into the complex and often contentious relationship between firearms and the American flag.

This diptych highlights the historical ties and ongoing debates surrounding firearms in the U.S., emphasizing how deeply entrenched this issue is in the nation's identity. The title hints at a critical viewpoint, suggesting that the country's focus on guns has surpassed mere heritage or rights, evolving into an obsession. Though the two panels are physically separated, the symbolic reach of the bullet extends to the flag, that have replaced the stars with bullet holes.

The artwork invites viewers to contemplate the implications of this obsession and its effect on the nation's identity.

  • America’s Obsession pocket tee (flag & bullet holes) is available for purchase on Cotton Bureau. 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.

Amazon, After Hour Hero

Article + Creative Musing
October 2023

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Amazon, After Hour Hero
A conceptual advertisement concept I created for Amazon spotlighting their dedicated drivers and their commitment to after-hour deliveries. The visual emphasis is the delivery truck’s distinctive look and warm glow from its front lights, serving as a friendly delivery beacon. The copy establishes a personal connection with the reader, emphasizing Amazon's dedication to timely and reliable service, even if it’s after hours.

 

Crayola Crayons

Creative Musing + Product
September 2023

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Crayola Crayons
During my childhood, one of the highlights preparing for the first day of school was going school shopping and selecting a brand new box of crayons. I recall carefully unwrapping the box, ensuring not to tear the packaging and being greeted by its unique waxy scent. These illustrated posters are a tribute to this moment and to all who remember the scent and the joy of creating coloring masterpieces. The left poster is a 24 pack of Crayola Crayons with a Walmart price tag and the right poster is the unboxed pack of Crayola Crayons.

  • Unfortunately, I was unable to obtain a license from Crayola to sell these vibrant illustrative posters.

MKN Design Reel

Article + Product
February 2023

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MKN Design Reel
Do you like what you see? Well, I’d like to work with you. If you're looking for an experienced independent (freelance) Art Director, Designer, and Illustrator, or if you know of any companies seeking short or long-term project contracts or retainers, feel free to contact me via email.

  • The design and illustrative projects within this reel are a combination of strategic branding, environmental design, iconography, illustration, graphic design, and packaging.

Graphis, Designers for Peace

Creative Musing + 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

Lost Privacy

Article + Creative Musing
December 2020

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Lost Privacy
Illustrative concepts exploring technology, who owns our data, loss of privacy, and our mental health. Technology (specifically the smallish computer in your pocket) has been a wonderful tool for us. But, they also have been used unethically for data collection, observation of dark patterns, and social network disinformation campaigns. Like warning signs located on products that are dangerous for us, should we do the same for technology products?

 

Lark & Poppy

Creative Musing
November 2020

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Lark & Poppy
This crest was illustrated upon reflection of the poem, in Flanders Fields. For those who are and are not Canadian, on Remembrance Day, Canadians adorn a red poppy over their heart to honor the veterans that fought and died for our freedoms. Read and reflect on the poem, In Flanders Field. The poem was pened during the First World War by Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. Today let's remember all our veterans.

 

Clydesdale Illustration Process

Article + Creative Musing
November 2018

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Clydesdale Illustration Process
The above video shows my streamlined process for crafting icon and illustrations. This is the same phased process that I use for large design projects albeit condensed to focus on a single artifact. While some may perceive this work as straightforward, it actually demands meticulous attention to detail and draws upon thorough research to effectively sketch, ideate, and achieve visual harmony, alignment, and readability.

 

We Are Better Than This

Article + Creative Musing
June 2018

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We Are Better Than This
The words by Rep Elijah Cummings in 2018 stuck me, “We should all be able to agree that in the United States of America we will not intentionally separate children from their parents. We will not do that, we are better than that!” Our national policies affect our national symbols. What once signified freedom to the world, now represents imprisonment for the vulnerable. Using the US flag as a symbol, I deconstructed it, transforming its stripes into bars and its stars into razor wire.

 

Community of Illustrators

Article
August 2017

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Community of Illustrators
Illustration is a vital part of graphic design. As a person who is a graphic designer and illustrator I’ve found there is a lack of understanding about illustration, licensing, how illustrators work, best practices, and ethics. Because of this, Lucy Engelman and I started The Illustration League. The mark is paired with the typeface Filson Pro designed by Olivier Gourvat from Mostardesign.

Skate, Surf, & Art

Article + Product
January 2017

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Skate, Surf, & Art
Monsa Publications requested permission to feature my illustrated skateboard deck graphic, "Urban Totem," in their book titled "Skate, Surf, and Art." This graphic, originally created for a fundraiser aimed at constructing a new skatepark.

  • Skate, Surf, & Art is available for purchase on Monsa Publications website.

Dwell Feature

Article + Product
December 2016

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Dwell Feature
Thank you Dwell for promoting my work in this month’s issue of Dwell Magazine and on dwell.com It’s nice to be noticed ☺️

What the Dwell blurb reads, “Design With an Eye for Fine Lines. Michigan-based graphic designer and illustrator Michael Nykamp takes minimalist approach to creating portraits and logos for a variety of clients, including AIGA West Michigan, Herman Miller, and musician Truman Cage. We also love his crisp drawings of midcentury classics, such as Jens Risom’s A-Frame house. Follow his collaborations, posters and personal explorations like this geometric lion at dwell.”

Rethinking Math Workbooks

Article + Creative Musing
January 2016

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Rethinking Math Workbooks
During my childhood, I despised math and often wondered if it was due to how it was taught and presented. Perhaps it was, perhaps not. Even now, I feel my kids math workbooks are unapproachable. So, I thought create a cover series for simple math workbooks – taking my youngest sons math workbook, I stripped it down to its bare essentials, and gave it a complete rebranding. The typeface I used for this design is DIN Condensed Variable, designed by Isabella Chaeva and Tagir Safayev from Paratype.