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.

 

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The Soul in the System

Article
Words & Photo Credit: Tommy Allen from Rapid Growth
July 23, 2025

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The Soul in the System:
Michael Nÿkamp on creativity, AI, and the future of design

When designer Michael Nÿkamp considers his many years in the field, he offers more than just a list of accomplishments; he shares profound insights into human nature and creativity. In a world swiftly reshaped by artificial intelligence, his reflections serve as both a foundation and a call to action. 

Nÿkamp openly acknowledges the tension: AI is rapidly transforming all aspects of life. However, instead of sensational reactions, the perspective of this seasoned design professional is thoughtful and nuanced. He encourages us to participate in a dialogue rather than deliver a final judgment. In short, sometimes we need to sit with something before we can respond to it. 

“AI can replicate style,” Nÿkamp shared, “but it can’t replicate soul.”

And that soul, he argues, is the designer’s responsibility to protect—especially now.

Where Imagination Begins
Like many lifelong creatives, Nÿkamp’s journey started with crayons and curiosity. “As a kid, you draw just to draw,” he says. “There’s no right or wrong—just experimentation, just imagination.”

That experimentation continues to shape his approach today. Whether he’s developing creative strategies, designing, illustrating, or crafting brand identities, Nÿkamp depends on the intuitive play developed through years of hands-on, analog experimentation. He even encourages giving kids access to basic, tactile tools – such as paper, pencils, and crayons – not necessarily as a career pathway, but to foster critical thinking.

Nÿkamp consistently underscored this idea: when we allow children to make freely, they learn how to think freely. That flexibility, he believes, will be essential in an AI-driven world.

Tools are not the Threat—Disconnection is
Today, many run around like Chicken Little proclaiming that the sky is falling when discussing AI replacing designers, but Nÿkamp sees it as about relationship, not replacement. He says AI can assist designers – for example, using Photoshop presets for tasks like replacing a background fill or refining language in client materials with ChatGPT – but he knows its limits.

“Because I’m an experienced (and hopefully wiser) designer, I’m showing up with more than just technical skills,” he says. “Those foundational skills still matter in an AI-driven world.”

He perceives the real danger not in the tools themselves but in the temptation to bypass human connection completely. To Nÿkamp, when design turns purely transactional, we forgo not only nuance and empathy but also the chance to create something genuinely meaningful.

A Familiar Model: AI as the new Junior Designer
Nÿkamp reflects on his early experience in the design industry, where he worked under an experienced art director. As a junior designer, his role involved executing ideas from his senior, making quick iterations, and absorbing knowledge through this creation process, which is common within many industries. 

Over time, through repeated exposure and practice, he developed the ability to think like a director: strategically, systematically, and empathetically.

“As a junior designer, I had to do a lot of things. I was the hands of the art director,” he says. “And you learn through that process. You hate it—but your own ideas come out through it.”

From this perspective, he sees AI not as a replacement but more as a willing intern or assistant. It can adhere to instructions and produce initial ideas, yet it still needs guidance, judgment, and oversight.

“You still need someone to direct that no matter what,” he emphasized. “Creativity, imagination, and those wow moments where things connect—that’s still ours to do.”

Sensitivity, Strategy, and the Soul of Design
Nÿkamp repeatedly returned to one word: sensitivity. Whether he is interpreting client cues or reflecting on his own emotional experiences, his work is driven by a profound attentiveness to the individuals at the other end of the communication.

“When you are designing something, you are being sensitive to the people that you’re creating for,” he says. “Sometimes it’s not even for others—sometimes it’s for yourself.”

He believes that the true worth of design is in the emotional experience it evokes, not just the visual appearance. While AI can replicate shapes and tone, it cannot derive inspiration from real-life experiences such as heartbreak, joy, or the depth of long-term collaboration.

Michigan as creative soil
Nÿkamp, based in Michigan, has observed the state’s transition from a manufacturing power to a subtle yet influential design center. However, he is concerned that the focus on marketable skills such as user experience and user interface might cause us to overlook something more fundamental.

“We’ve kind of lost the soul of what painting is, or what design is, from pure expression,” he says. “It feels like a production line.”

He champions the conservation of fundamental, analog techniques in design education—like sketching, storytelling, and manual work. These are more than just nostalgic practices; they are essential tools for cultivating voice, vision, and conceptual clarity.

Designing for a World in Transition
We’ve been interacting with AI for a longer time than many realize – through Google autocomplete, Grammarly suggestions, and spam filters, all examples of this evolving tech. However, what’s changed now is the speed and breadth of AI's development. For Michael Nÿkamp, this signals that creatives must now take time to reflect, adapt, and lead the way.

“Designers need to keep asking better, deeper questions,” he says. “That’s how you build work that resonates on a real level.”

His final call is not to turn away from technology but to infuse it with more human touch, embracing what he refers to as the “wandering” that fuels creative expression. After all, ideas don’t always come instantly; they require space, questions, and connection with people.

A Story We’re Still Writing
Michael Nÿkamp doesn’t provide simple solutions, but he clarifies that design will persist because people will, too. Tools may evolve, and the speed of change will quicken. However, the fundamental needs to connect, to move, and to imagine remain as essential as before.

This serves as a reminder that we have always depended on tools to support our thinking. Like any effective collaboration, the outcome varies based on who holds the pencil and their intentions.

Photos provided by Tommy Allen and Michael Nÿkamp of MKN Design. Please visit his website for more examples of his work.

  • Tommy Allen, a Communications Major from Calvin University, is a founding member of Rapid Growth and the innovative placemaker behind the "no topic off-limits" weekly G-Sync column as well as the author of more than 2,500 stories on the Greater Grand Rapids art scene from 2008 until March 2020.

    Link to Article on Rapid Growth



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.

 

Use the search function to view specific project type or the use the Chronicles dropdown to search by group.


5 Principles Behind the Process

Article
July 2025

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5 Principles Behind the Process
I’ve been asked many times, “What sets you apart from other independent designers, and what value or innovative approach do you bring beyond just delivering the design that’s been asked for?”

Honestly, nothing out of the ordinary. Sure, great visuals matter (and yes, I can deliver those). But what makes the difference is the climb—step by step, together. Think of the process like climbing a ladder. We don’t jump to the top—we start on the first rung. That means taking time to learn about your goals, your team (if that’s helpful), and most importantly the people you serve. It’s a deliberate pace, often uncertain at first, but always intentional. Each step reveals more clarity—what drives your organization, what sets you apart, and what resonates deeply with your audience. As we climb, we begin shaping thoughtful, creative solutions (don’t worry, I’ll handle most of it), but we’re in it together—grounded in insight, purpose, and meaning. With each rung, brings greater clarity, and your brand becomes more defined, more authentic, and more connected. By the time we reach the top, we’re not focused on the climb we had—we’re standing on something solid, looking out over what we’ve built: a brand foundation that’s steady, strategic, and ready for the long haul.

That foundation I mentioned, it was built on these guiding principles:

Design Happens Together:
Just because you aren’t the designer doesn’t mean you aren’t an integral part of the process. Great challenges are tackled—and great solutions are found—together.

Approached with Thoughtfulness:
The best design taps into something deeper. It considers all angles. All people. All possibilities. It takes time, and it should. Because a thoughtful approach leads to a valuable outcome. ­­

Design with Intention:
At the end of the day, you need results. You need a design to work hard. To make people think. Or laugh. Or buy. Whatever your need, we’ll work hard to make it happen.

Acumen Equals Impact:
You can’t fake experience. It takes years of practice and dedication, mistakes, and successes. Plenty of designers can make something. It takes experience to make ­­something worth investing in.

Crafted to Compel:
From a common understanding, we’ll create meaning and magic. It’s not easy. It takes time. It’s a process, and some-times it’s messy. But it’s always beautiful and useful in the end.

  • This article builds on a previous piece where I shared the foundational experiences that shaped how I think, collaborate, and design with purpose.

    Foundations of My Design Practice


Foundations of My Design Practice


Article
July 2025

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Foundations of My Design Practice
I didn’t just wake up one day and decide to become a graphic designer, or what some might call a design generalist or T-shaped designer. My path started much earlier as a kid who loved to draw and express ideas through color. That early curiosity eventually led me to study fine art, illustration, and user experience—five years of focused learning, exploration, and hands-on practice. Though these studies were instrumental in shaping how I work, I do not practice just one of these disciplines. Over time, they’ve blended into a focused approach that has taught me to observe closely, think conceptually, and design with sensitivity to the human experience.

It was from these foundational beginnings that I naturally flowed into practicing graphic design, but with a unique, visually driven, illustrative approach woven into my design work. Over time, this developed into my style and has helped me shape brands and build design materials grounded in thoughtfulness, meaning, clarity, and how people relate to and engage with them.

Not only have these foundations shaped my work, but they’ve also led to a set of guiding principles, approaches that continue to influence how I collaborate, problem-solve, and design with purpose.

These are the guiding principles I work by (in no particular order):

• Design Happens Together
• Approached with Thoughtfulness
• Design with Intention
• Acumen Equals Impact
• Crafted to Compel

  • This article expands on an later piece I wrote where I reflect on my process and why principles matter.

    5 Principles Behind the Process

  • The reel above is a mix of client collaborations and personal creative explorations I’ve pursued between projects. They express the breadth of my skills, my evolving style, and the passion I bring to every piece of work—whether driven by client goals or personal curiosity.


Luminous Branding


↑ Brand Development Deck
An overview of the process behind defining and executing the development of the Luminous identity.

Abbreviated Brand Guidelines
These guidelines outline the essential elements and standards for presenting the Luminous brand accurately.

Client Project
June 2025

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Luminous Branding
The word Luminous means "full of or giving off light.” 

Luminous originated from Jonas Paul Eyewear, a brand that was inspired by the birth of their son, Jonas, who was born with a rare eye condition. Today, Luminous serves as the holding company for Jonas Paul and several other optical brands—dedicated to, "shedding light into every corner of the optical space with eyewear that is designed, distributed, and displayed in a way that supports the greater good.”

What started as a mission to help their son Jonas has grown into a global effort to bring vision to children in need. Through their “Buy Sight, Give Sight” program, Luminous provides glasses, funding, and eye care support to children around the world.

At the time, Jonas Paul hired me to elevate its existing portfolio by designing an identity that would create space for future brands aligned with its mission. Guided by research, collaboration, and informed insights provided by the team, my primary design goals were to establish a strong identity that connects the master brand with its sub-brands, stands out in a competitive market, and reflects boldness, innovation, and meaningful impact.

Though the project faced early challenges, our shared determination and open dialogue allowed us to refine the concepts until one emerged that aligned seamlessly with their vision, core audience, and markets. The process was rigorous but ultimately fulfilling, requiring a careful balance of innovation and consistency within a hybrid brand model.

The result is innovative, distinctive, and thoughtfully aligned with their mission, as well as their current and future brands, and sub-brands. Luminous embodies a quiet sophistication—illuminating rather than overwhelming. It reflects an intentional brilliance, balanced with confident contrast to express the essence of the brand.

  • + Brand Identity Design

  • + Creative Direction
    + Research
    + Concept Development
    + Sketching and Ideation
    + Graphic Design
    + Illustration
    + Project Management

  • This project was a collaborative effort between Jonas Paul Eyewear team: Ben Harrison, Laura Harrison, Spencer Blanchard and myself. For more information about Luminous products, visit Lumionus Optical.


Own Your Superpower


Article
May 2025

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Own Your Superpower
While watching an episode of The Resident, one scene really stood out to me. Detective Cordelia Cupp a smart, strong, and quirky character was talking to her nephew. It was her final sentence (found in the video above) that struck me, “This is not the only way to be, but… it is the way that I am.” That line reminded me that there’s no single “right” way to be in this world. Your way of being is valid, valuable, and worthy of respect.

That quote came to life for me recently during a night out with friends I hadn’t seen or spoken to in quite some time. As the evening wrapped up, I drove a friend home, and during the ride, our conversation shifted toward the topic of personal traits. I won’t share his story—but I’ll share what I told him (in its abbreviated form).

Growing up, I was an introverted, sensitive kid—or at least, that’s what my parents and teachers often told me. I think the line they used was, “You’re too sensitive.” I never thought it was a bad thing. But over time, hearing it again and again made me feel like something was wrong with me (know that I don’t hold it against my parents or teachers. It was part of the culture back then—boys were expected to hide their emotions). Eventually, I internalized that message as a weakness and started to believe I wasn’t good enough because of it. I tried my best to hide that part of myself, to toughen up, and to be who I thought others wanted me to be.

This continued through grade school and into middle school. But during high school, I slowly began to let my guard down. As I did, I realized I could feel and see things

others seemed to overlook. Later, while attending Sheridan College, that realization deepened. Through introspection and the encouragement of my Conceptual Studies professor, I came to understand that sensitivity wasn’t a flaw—it was a gift, or as some might say, a superpower. When applied with thoughtfulness and intention, it adds meaningful depth to the design process and can enhance both the clarity and impact of design.

My hope is that, if you’ve read this far, you might see a bit of yourself in it and understand that while these traits shape us, they don’t define you. Below are some qualities that often accompany sensitivity.


 

Key Benefits of Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace

🧠 Emotional Intelligence
You naturally sense what others might miss. This allows you to create designs that connect deeply with people—because you can read tone, nuance, and emotional undercurrents. Designing for how something feels, not just how it looks.

👂 Empathy for Clients & Users
You’re tuned in to people’s needs, even when they can’t quite express them. You listen deeply, absorb subtext, and translate vague feedback into visual clarity—turning emotional intuition into practical, usable design.

🎯 Sensitivity to Detail
You notice the small things—the weight of a line, the tension between typefaces, how a color shift changes a mood. These subtleties matter to you because you know they matter to others, too. Precision rooted in feeling, not just form.

🌀 Creative Depth & Inner Reflection
You process the world internally, which gives you a rich, reflective creative well to draw from. That introspection often translates into thoughtful, meaningful work—design that reflects depth, not just decoration.

🔄 Intuition & Adaptability
You can tell when a concept “feels off” before anyone else does. That intuitive sense helps course-correct early—saving time and deepening impact. Knowing when to push, pause, or pivot—without needing all the data.

🌱 Integrity & Purpose-Driven Work
You’re driven by meaning. You’re not here to make noise—you want to make something that matters. Designing with soul, not ego.



Corewell Health Wayfinding


Process Detail: Phase III - Alternative Main Level & Parking Wayfinding

Complete Three-Phase Process Development Map

Process Detail: Phase II - Application & Concept Review

Client Project
May 2025

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Corewell Health Wayfinding
This project set out to design an intuitive, user-centered wayfinding map for Corewell Health’s 25 and 35 Michigan buildings, sparked by a critical insight: patients were frequently arriving late to their appointments due to confusion about their location within the parking structures. The first point of contact for patients typically begins with an email from Corewell Health, directing them to the appropriate parking area for their appointment. From that point on, our project began to take shape—expanding on the existing wayfinding system implemented by Corewell Health to reduce stress, improve punctuality, and enhance the overall experience of navigating their campus.

In response to this challenge, the project focused on enhancing the physical navigation experience through a structured, research-driven approach. Starting with onboarding and immersion, the team worked to under-stand user needs, identify key service traits, and align it with Corewell Health exsisting brand system. Through thorough research, benchmarking, observational studies, and concept development, the project established clear design directions that reflected the organization’s vision—while emphasizing that effectively guiding patients, visitors, and staff was essential.

From initial audits to refined prototypes, the final solution resulted in a simple, effective set of wayfinding signs that clearly communicated a person’s location within the parking structure while also identifying the surrounding buildings across Corewell Health’s campus. The result was a new, human-centered wayfinding components designed not only to guide people to their destinations, but just as importantly, to help them find their way back.


  • + Wayfinding System

  • + Lead Creative & UX Director
    + Qualitative Research
    + Graphic Design
    + Illustration

  • This project was a joint endeavor with The Corewell Health Consumer Experience Team, Augusto Digital via Christy Ennis-Kloote and David Schofield.


Holla!


Creative Musing
May 2025

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Holla!
This is Chuck Lacy, starring as Eugene on the hit TikTok series Retirement House—a funny and quirky look at life in the golden years with a crew of unforgettable seniors.

 

Riot Games Iconography System




Michael played a key role in developing a strategic and refined iconography library for Riot Games. His leadership and guidance across both Monotype and Riot Games ensured seamless collaboration, aligning visual identity with brand goals through a thoughtful and systematic approach. His ability to solve complex design challenges while maintaining a keen attention to detail made a significant impact on the project’s success. Reliable, communicative, and always exceeding expectations.

Robert Ignasiak
Product & Interaction Lead, Riot Games


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 System Rules
    + 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.


Action Surge!


Creative Musing + Product
December 2024

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Action Surge!
I’m not done yet! Not familiar with this term? Well, let me enlighten you. It’s a D&D reference where a fighter pushes themselves beyond their limits to do twice as much in one turn… because clearly, we needed even more ways to drag out combat ; )

Action Surge typeface is Kaneda Gothic designed by Ryoichi Tsunekawa from Dharma Type.

  • Action Surge graphic tee 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.Description text goes here


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!

 

No King


Creative Musing
September 2024

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No King
Earthly power, at last, doth yield to death.

 

Multiplayer Tetris & Game Over


Creative Musing + Product
August 2024

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Multiplayer Tetris & Game Over
Created these for the love of 1980’s arcade graphics. Tetris was created by Soviet software engineer Alexey Pajitnov in 1984 and was released in the United States by Atari Games in 1988.

  • Multiplayer Tetris & Game Over graphic tees are 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.


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.

 

Orb


Creative Musing + Product
June 2024

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Orb
Creating a celestial feeling through experimentation with shapes, blurs, and textures.

  • Orb graphic tee 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.


Anatomy of Twitter


Creative Musing + Product
June 2024

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Anatomy of Twitter
I pulled this illustration from my archives (originally created in 2010). When Twitter existed before becoming 'X', the internet dubbed my illustration "The Anatomy of a Tweet." My original aim was to depict the thinking (brain) and feeling (heart) of users, highlighting the struggle to balance logic and emotion tweets.

  • Anatomy of Twitter graphic tee 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.


Zero/One & Ninety-Nine


Creative Musing + Product
April 2024

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Zero/One & Ninety-Nine
These numbers were my favorites growing up. Zero/One (or 10) is from the Dodge Charger that Bo and Luke drove on, Dukes of Hazzard. Ninety-nine of course came from my favorite hockey player, Wayne Gretzky who played for the Edmonton Oilers from 1979–1988.

  • Zero/One & Ninety-Nine graphic tees shown in this post are 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.

  • The numbers featured on these tee graphics come from a display typeface I designed. It’s available for purchase, view Sum here.


Super Phat


Creative Musing + Product
April 2024

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Super Phat
A design exploration to find a typeface that embodies “Super Phat”. I believe I choose right. The typeface I used is Sutturah designed by Octavio Pardo from Rosetta Type Foundry.


Hen & Egg


Creative Musing
March 2024

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Hen & Egg
Plutarch posed the question as a philosophical matter in his essay "The Symposiacs", written in the 1st century, "Which came first: the hen (chicken) or the egg?"