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.

Riot Games Iconography System

Client Project
February 2025

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Riot Games Iconography System
I recently completed this 6 month iconography system project for Riot Games in collaboration with Monotype, who brought me on as a co-lead and specialist in visual icon systems. My role centered on guiding, developing, and establishing standards that shaped a comprehensive toolkit of pixel-perfect icons, capturing the bold and playful spirit of Riot Games while supporting their expanding product ecosystem.

Our goal was to create an iconography system of 350+ icons that seamlessly scaled across three sizes—16, 24, and 32 pixels—while staying true to Riot Games' brand identity. With “Player Experience First” as Riot’s core message, it was crucial to create a custom, scalable, and unified iconography system that not only enhanced the user experience and strengthened their brand’s visual language but also ensured consistency across all Riot products.

This iconography system serves as a sustainable and sound foundation for developing future icons that align with Riot’s brand.

  • + Iconography Design System

  • + Co-leadership
    + Creative Direction
    + Iconography Rule Set
    + Research
    + Sketching & Ideation
    + Illustration

  • This project was a collaborative effort, bringing together expert partners from Monotype, Riot Games, and MKN Design to lead the creative direction and co-develop the iconography design alongside Monotype.

    Core Team:
    Robert Ignasiak – Riot Games
    Sascha Leifer King – Riot Games
    Junho Kim – Riot Games
    Terrance Weinzierl – Monotype
    Jorden Bell – Monotype
    Michael Nÿkamp - MKN Design
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    Thank you to the entire team for their dedication and effort in bringing this extensive set to life and helping create a remarkable icon system.
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    Note: All images used in this post are licensed through Riot Games.

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.

  • This icon set is available for purchase, email me for licensing and cost.

Day of the Dead

Creative Musing
November 2021

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Day of the Dead
In celebration of the Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos). Though I'm not of Mexican descent, I deeply appreciate their tradition of celebrating and honoring departed loved ones. I’ve utilized the typeface Taurunum Ferrum designed by Nikola Kostić and Zoran Kostić from Kostic Type Foundry.

 

Skull & Bones Iconography

Creative Musing + Product
October 2021

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Skull & Bones Iconography
I had some fun this week creating these scary Halloween icons. I’ve paired the icons with the typeface Metalista designed by Tomáš Brousil from Suitcase Type Foundry.

  • Skull & Bones icon set is available for purchase, email me for licensing and cost. Some of these graphics are available on tees, check them out at Cotton Bureau.

Bobbin & Thread

Creative Musing + Product
August 2021

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Bobbin & Thread
I thoroughly enjoyed developing and illustrating this intricate set of modern tailor iconography. The typeface used with this icon set is Louvette Banner designed by CJ Dunn from CJ Type.

  • This icon set is available for purchase, email me for licensing and cost.

A Faithful Companion & Herzog

Creative Musing
July 2021

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A Faithful Companion & Herzog
Our family adopted a Norwegian Elkhound from our nearby dog shelter. As one does when getting a dog, I was searching online for a sleek and durable dog collar + leash, Herzog dog gear caught my eye and it was an easy decision to purchase their products (I purchased the Terracotta Collar and Leash as a set). Their meticulously crafted items boast both waterproof and eco-friendly qualities, fitting seamlessly into our minimalist style and complementing our Elkhound perfectly. The silhouette illustration above represents the Leonberger dog breed.

 

Square Knot

Creative Musing
June 2021

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Square Knot
Fun little exercise this morning in Adobe Illustrator.

  • Square Knot is available for purchase. Check out more 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.

Recycle & Die

Creative Musing
May 2021

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Recycle & Die
An illustrative exploration reveals the deceptive narrative sold to us by plastic companies: the idea that recycling will effectively benefit our planet. However, this notion masks a troubling reality—it serves as a ploy to perpetuate the cycle of production and pollution, ultimately exacerbating our planet.

 

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.

 

Crow & Pitcher

Creative Musing
June 2020

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Crow & Pitcher
This weekend I read several fables by Aesop to my kids. One of the fables, The Crow & the Pitcher draws a relationship between problem-solving and wit (critical thinking), and perseverance. Within my own practice of strategic visual communication, these two attributes are critical in the process of developing and building brands. Without it, the ability to perceive, create and innovate is deprived.

 

Stayhome Friends

Creative Musing + Product
May 2020

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Stayhome Friends
Amidst the U.S. stay-at-home mandate, I crafted a series of playful illustrations, each carrying messages specifically designed for the stay-at-home orders. These illustrations served not only to entertain but also to reinforce the importance of staying home during this time.

Universal Mickey

Creative Musing
March 2020

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Universal Mickey
Merging an illustrative world globe with mickey’s ears.