Creative Musing
November 2022
FluMist Packaging
Client Project
November 2022
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FluMist Packaging
I was hired to design conceptual packaging for AstraZeneca new product, FluMist Quadrivalent. This project encompassed more than just packaging design; it also involved providing design guidance for an information packet, instructional illustrations, and physical prototypes.
Given the innovative nature of the vaccine delivery method, our design approach was dual- focused, targeting both parents and children. Consequently, we aimed to instill a sense of trustworthiness, friendliness, and clarity in the exterior and interior packaging, ensuring that all strict packaging regulations by the FDA were prominently displayed. Simultaneously, it was crucial to convey professionalism while remaining approachable. This was accomplished by incorporating a vibrant color scheme, employing friendly typography, and fun illustrations while it was being unboxed.
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+ Package Design
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+ Qualitative Research
+ Concept Development
+ Sketching & Ideation
+ Illustration
+ Instructional Illustration
+ Physical Prototyping
+ User Experience
+ Product Mockups -
This project was a collaborative effort, with VML providing Art Direction.
Dowel Plant Stand
Creative Musing
November 2022
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Dowel Plant Stand
During my downtime, not only do I like to illustrate, but I like to design and build small woodworking projects, like this Dowel Plant Stand. Made from Poplar and constructed only using wood and glue.
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These plans are available to purchase, email me for cost.
Queen Elizabeth II
Creative Musing
September 2022
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Queen Elizabeth II
In memory of the queen, 1926 - 2022
Spooky Cat
Creative Musing
September 2022
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Spooky Cat
Getting into the Halloween spirit by creating illustrations of two spooky black cats. Which one do you prefer, three-eyed cat or the ordinary one?
KitchenAid Packaging
Client Project
August 2022
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KitchenAid Packaging
KitchenAid is the leader in home appliance brands. The company was established in 1919 and is headquartered in Saint Joseph, Michigan. Renowned for the innovative and iconic KitchenAid Mixer, now used in most kitchens around the world. The company sells an average of 2.5 million mixers per year.
KitchenAid partnered with MKN Design to define and develop new brand packaging using clean design, illustration and iconography.At the project onset, we gathered research on consumer trends, packaging, design, and illustrative styles. Using this research, we conceptualized packaging ideas and brought them to life in physical form. The result was a collection of innovative packaging concepts that highlighted KitchenAid's unique products, establishing them as a bold leader in kitchen appliances tailored to their consumers.
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+ Packaging Design
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+ Research (competitive, consumer, trend)
+ Concept Development
+ Sketching & Ideation
+ Graphic Design & Layout
+ Iconography
+ Instructional Illustrations
+ Product Illustrations
+ Mockups -
This project was a joint endeavor involving numerous individuals from both the KitchenAid design team and external independent contractors, such as Heather Tucker and myself.
The Midwest Coast
Creative Musing + Product
August 2022
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The Midwest Coast
A badge-inspired design from my home state of Michigan and its pristine coastline. The inspiration came from our family trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes, National Park—it’s just one of the many places to experience Michigan’s wonderful coast.
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The Midwest Coast is currently not available. Check back in early June 2024. View additional graphic tee’s 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.
Lady of Guadalupe
Creative Musing + Product
August 2022
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Lady of Guadalupe
A modern Illustrative take on the Our Lady of Guadalupe painting found in Tepeyac Hill, Mexico City.
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Lady of Guadalupe 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.
Robertson
Creative Musing
July 2022
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Robertson
A creative exercise taking the square shape from the Robertson Drive and mimicking the font to the style of the mark. The Robertson square-socket drive was invented by Peter Lymburner Robertson, a Canadian inventor, industrialist, salesman, and philanthropist who popularized the square-socket drive for screws.
Alfred & Mickey Mashup
Creative Musing
June 2022
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Alfred & Mickey Mashup
A mad mashup of Mickey Mouse & Alfred E. Neuman from Mad Magazine flashing a peace sign and waving the stars and stripes. The title takes from Mickey's favorite word, "Gosh" and merging it with Alfred's, "Me Worry?" Even Mad Magazine saw it on Instagram and ❤️ it.
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Gosh, Me Worry? ‘Merica & Gosh, Me Worry? Peace graphic tees are 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.
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.
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All four posters are available for purchase in my shop.
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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.
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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
Bubble Gum Pine
Creative Musing + Product
April 2022
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Bubble Gum Pine
This pine tree is happy that spring is finally here in Michigan... well... almost.
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Bubble Bum Pine 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.
Apple Watch
Creative Musing
April 2022
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Apple Watch
This is an illustration rendering of an Apple Watch, NOT to be confused with a 3D rendering. A trick with illustrating realistic objects is understanding how light, shadow, and reflections behave on objects.
ReVox
Creative Musing + Product
April 2022
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ReVox
I’ve always had an affinity for vintage electronics, especially buttons, knobs, and sliders. The illustration is a ReVox Studer 700 Reel-To-Reel Tape Recorder, designed, engineered, and manufactured in Switzerland in 1973.
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Revox, High Fidelity poster is available for purchase. Explore more posters in my shop.
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.
Apparel Iconography
Creative Musing + Product
February 2022
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Apparel Iconography
Crisp bold icons designed for an apparel brand. If you need custom designed iconography, I can help you.
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This icon set is available for purchase, email me for licensing and cost.
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.
Kindly
Creative Musing
January 2022