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.


Visser Automotive

Creative Musing
January 2024

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Visser Automotive
This logo development was an design exercise for my brother-in-laws automotive repair shop in Waterford, Ontario, Canada. I paired the mark with the font Sneaker Pro, Medium Italic. Designed by Neil Summerour from Positype.

 

Flagship


Creative Musing
December 2023

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Flagship
The typeface I used for the Flagship wordmark is Good Headline Pro designed by Łukasz Dziedzic from FontFont.

 

Holiday Stroll


Creative Musing
October 2023

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Holiday Stroll
Happy Holidays! Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season

Buy this t-shirt
Holiday Stroll is currently unavailable for purchase. Please check back after Thanksgiving 2024 or pursue my entire collection of graphic t-shirts on Cotton Bureau.


Amazon, After Hour Hero


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.

Note
Amazon is not a client of MKN Design.


Crayola Crayons


Creative Musing
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.

Note
These posters are not available purchase.


Skull & Bones


Creative Musing + Product
September 2023

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Skull & Bones
For a limited time Skull & Bones will be available starting now until October 31 on Cotton Bureau. They come in two colors, black and gray tri-blend. 

Buy these t-shirts
Skull & Bones (top right) is the only available t-shirt in this series. Purchase it on Cotton Bureau or check back in early October 2024 to purchase other t-shirts in this series.


Notcha Tacos


Creative Musing
June 2023

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Notcha Tacos
Pronounced, Not-Your-Tacos. Utilizing some past work. I illustrated this fun tacos restaurant logo paired with the font, CC Sign Language. Designed by John Roshell and Richard Starkings from Comicraft.

Buy this graphic on a t-shirt
Notcha Tacos graphic is available for purchase on Cotton Bureau.


Sum


Creative Musing + Produc
February 2023

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Sum
While I am not a professional type designer, I have a passion for creating custom typefaces. I just finished this display numerical typeface, called Sum. This font comprises six sizes: Light, Regular, Semibold, Bold, Black, and Heavy. Engaging in studies like this is beneficial for graphic designers., as it enables them to comprehend the intricacies of typeface formation. This knowledge is particularly valuable when crafting a bespoke typeface for a brand.
 

Buy this Typeface
Sum is available for purchase, email me for licensing and cost.


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.

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


GEM


Creative Musing
February 2023

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GEM
A simplification of a sapphire gem paired with the variable typeface, New York designed by Apple. New York is a serif companion to Apple’s San Franciso-type series, it features six weights and features variable optical sizes. The 'G' in the wordmark was adjusted to mirror the shape of the gem, enhancing balance and symmetry of the combination mark.

 

Carbon Cycle


Client Project
February 2023

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Carbon Cycle
I worked alongside Peopledesign to develop this infographic. This graphic needed to outline the client's approach to combating climate change and also bring to life their commitment to environmental sustainability. Our goal was to simplify their complex concept, making it visually engaging and understandable, ensuring that their audience could comprehend the importance of the client's initiative within the context of the carbon cycle. The final infographic was simple and friendly conveying the client’s important message of responsible environmental stewardship and dedication to a greener, more sustainable future.

Project Tasks
• Industry Research
• Concept Development
• Sketching & Ideation
• Illustration
• Design & Layout


Jazz


Creative Musing
December 2022

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Jazz
An design exercise updating the Jazz Journal wordmark (a magazine produced from 1946–2019). The revised wordmark took from its past and present characteristics to envision a new wordmark with a modern flare.

Note
Photo of Louis Armstrong, 1953. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.


Chronicles of Narnia


Creative Musing
November 2022

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Chronicles of Narnia
This emblem is based on my favorite book series as a kid, Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. The crest illustrates Cair Paravel Rampart (top), Aslan (center), and Archenland Coat of Arms (bottom).

 

FluMist Packaging


Client Project
November 2022

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FluMist Concept Packaging
I was engaged through VML to create conceptual packaging designs, instructional illustrations, and packaging prototypes for their client, AstraZeneca. 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.

Project Tasks
• Research (competitive, consumer, trend)
• Concept Development
• Sketching & Ideation
• Illustration
• Instructional Illustration
• Physical Prototyping
• User Experience
• Digital Mockup


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.

Note
If you would like the plans to build email me.


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 a leader in home appliance brands and is based in Michigan. It began operation in 1919 and developed the iconic KitchenAid Mixer which is used in kitchens around the world. 

KitchenAid enlisted MKN Design to help define and develop new branded packaging through illustration, iconography, and visual packaging concepts. At the project onset, we compiled research documentation on consumer trends, packaging, design, and illustrative styles. From these findings, a creative strategy was established and the development of packaging concepts was completed through the distillation of insights, graphic, visual and illustrative ideation, and the concepts applied to packaging mockups.

The final outcome was a unique set of creative packaging concepts that showcased KitchenAid’s distinct products as innovative and exceptional, reflecting KitchenAid’s as a bold leader in kitchen appliances tailored to their consumers.

This project was created in collaboration with the KitchenAid design team.

• Research (competitive, consumer, trend)
• Concept Development
• Sketching & Ideation
• Graphic Design & Layout
• Iconography
• Instructional Illustrations
• Product Illustrations
• Mockups