Creative Musing
July 2022
Robertson
Llama Fiber Co.
Creative Musing
March 2022
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Llama Fiber Co.
Llama Fiber Co. mascot is paired with the typeface Alverata designed by Gerard Unger from TypeTogether.
Panda
Creative Musing
February 2022
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Panda
Logo exploration paired with a hand crafted typeface.
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Panda graphic tee is available for purchase. 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.
Coldbreak, Brand Strategy & Identity
Client Project
March 2022
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Coldbreak, Brand Strategy & Identity
Coldbreak started in 2005 from humble beginnings. As they grew, they acquired a stellar reputation within the draft equipment industry. Today they are the leader in the development, engineering, and designing of mobile draft equipment for breweries, entertainment and hospitality industries, brewing enthusiasts, and other aficionados. Aware of this, Coldbreak knew that its logo had aged and did not reflect its current reputation and vision.
Guided a client in orchestrating the conception, formation, and design of the Coldbreak identity. As we moved through the process, we distilled insights gathered from audience and stakeholder interviews, shaping the foundation of the brand. This foundation delineated the brand’s tone, defined the voice and visual direction of the brand. As we progressed, additional interviews, journey mapping, naming, brand architecture, iterative brand development, and brand guidelines were established, evolving into the final Become brand.
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+ Brand Strategy & Identity
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+ Team Leadership
+ Creative Direction
+ Qualitative & Quantitative Research
+ Project Management
+ User Interviews
+ Qualitative Research
+ Brand Messaging
+ Visual Identity
+ Brand Strategy
+ Concept Developement
+ Sketching & Ideation
+ Illustration
+ Vehicle Wrap -
After a decade of struggling to find our identity internally, we reached out to MKN Design. Michael quickly immersed himself in our company culture, history, and future goals to create the an accurate brand strategy and visual identity. To say we’re happy with the results is a huge understatement.
— Boyd Culver, CEO of Coldbreak -
View the preliminary concepts that where explored for Become.
Piers Court
Creative Musing
January 2022
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Piers Court
Formally owned by the author, Evelyn Waugh. While residing at Piers Court, he wrote several books while he resided there. His countryside home is located in Stinchcombe, a small village in Gloucestershire, England. It was built on top of an original structure from a 16th-century manor, and reconstructed on its remnants in the 18th century, which is the house that stands today. The mark is paired with the typeface Neutraface by House Industries.
Coldbreak Mark Exploration
Client Project
December 2021
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Coldbreak Mark Exploration
Though these marks where not selected by Coldbreak they laid the groundwork for refinement, ultimately leading to Coldbreak’s final brand identity.
These unselected marks where drawn from research and interviews conducted during the initial discovery phase. While they weren't ultimately chosen they served as a foundation for further refinement, contributing to the execution of Coldbreak’s brand identity. The sixth concept (bottom right) guided the direction towards Coldbreak's ultimate brand identity.
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+ Branding
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+ Research
+ Concept Development
+ Sketching & Ideation
+ Illustration -
View the completed brand strategy and identity project.
The Headless Rooster
Creative Musing
December 2021
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The Headless Rooster
A macabre mark is paired with the typeface Conglomerat designed by Greg Shutters from Typetanic.
Yoga Square
Creative Musing
December 2021
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Yoga Square
A minimalist mark where the concept of "square" is subtly implied through its shapes. The marks is paired with the typeface Conglomerate designed by Greg Shutters from Typetanic.
Foreshadow
Client Project
December 2021
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Foreshadow
This startup developed a machine learning algorithm to preemptively identify potential threats of malicious phishing attacks. Their goal was to alert users of potential threats to their online security and privacy.
This startup developed a machine learning algorithm to preemptively identify potential threats of malicious phishing attacks. Their goal was to alert users of potential threats to their online security and privacy. With a staggering 97% of people unable to discern phishing attacks, their innovative solution aimed to bridge this critical gap in cybersecurity awareness for home use.
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+ Brand Identity
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+ Creative Direction
+ Research (competitive, consumer)
+ Concept Development
+ Sketching & Ideation
+ Iconography
+ Mockups
Spiras
Creative Musing
November 2021
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Spiras
Exploration on a modern mark for the name Spiras, modern spiral staircase engineers, fabricators, and designers. The mark paired with the typeface Kallisto designed by Rian Hughes from Device Fonts.
Forestry Waterway Management Inc.
Creative Musing
October 2021
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Forestry Waterway Management Inc.
Combining two elements, trees, and water creates this logo. Mark paired with the typeface ITC Avant Garde Gothic designed by Herb Lubalin and Tom Carnase from Monotype.
Atlas
Creative Musing
October 2021
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Atlas
The Greek mythology god, Atlas holding up the heavens… or is he holding up his head? Altas logo was paired with the typeface Condor designed by David Jonathan Ross from DJR.
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This illustration of Atlas is available for purchase on various color tees on Cotton Bureau.
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Note: All Cotton Bureau apparel comes in a variety of clothing types, styles, fits, sizes, materials, and colors.
Sonic Boom
Creative Musing
October 2021
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Sonic Boom
Visual interpretation of the word, “Sonic Boom”, paired with the typeface Dic Sans designed by Luciano Perondi from CAST – Cooperativa Anonima Servizi Tipografici.
Conifer
Creative Musing
October 2021
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Conifer
Pairing a simplified coniferous cone logo with the typeface Gimlet Display, designed by David Jonathan Ross, from DJR.
Yellow Jacket
Creative Musing
October 2021
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Yellow Jacket
Pairing a simplified Yellow Jacket mark with the typeface Conglomerate, designed by Greg Shutters from Typetanic.
Olympia Book Publishing
Creative Musing
September 2021
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Olympia Book Publishing
Combine the iconic elements of a book, torch, and flames to construct a cohesive mark. I paired this mark with the typeface FF Good Headline designed by Łukasz Dziedzic from FontFont.
Level
Creative Musing
September 2021
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Level
Exploration on a combination mark for level. Mark paired with ITC Avant Garde Gothic, designed by Herb Lubalin and Tom Carnase from Monotype.
Home Assist
Creative Musing
July 2021
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Home Assist
Design exploration for Home Assist by integrating the medical symbol with a house icon. The resulting mark is paired with the typeface Korolev designed by Rian Hughes from Device Fonts.
Become, Brand Strategy & Identity
Client Project
June 2021
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Become, Brand Strategy & Identity
Become is an education and learning website that help individuals navigate and connect with schools and businesses through deep insights and data-backed guidance. My team worked closely with Become's founders to develop their brand design system, covering everything from messaging, naming to the identity.
I led a team in planning, development, and design of the Become brand identity. Through my comprehensive process we distilled insights gathered from audience and stakeholder interviews, shaping the foundation of the brand. This foundation delineated the brand’s tone, defined the voice and visual direction of the brand. As we progressed, additional interviews, journey mapping, naming, brand architecture, iterative brand development evolving into a simple, meaningful and approachable brand. After this effort a detailed brand guidelines was established.
The word 'Become' was crafted by merging the space between its initial and final letters. This simple alteration embodies the concept of 'Become' as a companion throughout one's professional journey. Additionally, this modification transforms the tense of the word from future to present, implying that individuals can embrace their current selves or evolve into something new.
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+ Branding
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+ Team Leadership
+ Project Management
+ Creative Direction
+ Qualitative & Quantitative Research
+ Brand Messaging
+ Naming
+ Visual Identity -
Michael Nÿkamp served as a patient and adept navigator during our brand discovery expedition. His guidance enabled us to gain profound insights into our company's identity. Although the outcome was unexpected, it perfectly aligned with our aspirations. None of this would have happened without him and for that, we are very grateful.
— Ryan Montgomery, CEO of Become
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View the initial mark exploration concepts for Become.
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Phase III fun illustrations drawn by David Schofield.
Maggie Bandstra Studio
Client Project
March 2021
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Maggie Bandstra Studio
Maggie is a versatile artist and educator who seamlessly transitions between painting and crafting clay sculptures and pottery. Her creative endeavors are unified by a captivating exploration of themes such as nature, healing, and human connection.
The organic shapes within her logo are reflective of the forms recurrent in both her paintings and pottery creations. While her identity remains neutral, Maggie's vibrant personality permeates her work, ensuring that her art takes center stage. During the exploration phase, it became evident that Maggie required multiple logo marks to accommodate diverse applications across her artwork and to maintain a professional presence across various stamped, printed and digital platforms.
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+ Brand Identity
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+ Creative Direction
+ Qualitative Research
+ Visual Identity
+ Stationery Design