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

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.

Buy this Tee
The Midwest Coast is currently not available. Check back in early June 2024. View additional graphic tee’s on my Cotton Bureau profile page. 

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.

Buy this Tee
This tee is available for purchase on Cotton Bureau. 

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.

Buy this Poster
This poster is available for purchase in my shop.

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.

Buy this Icon Set
This icon set is available for purchase, email me for licensing and cost.

The Dark Side of the Moon

Creative Musing
November 2020

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The Dark Side of the Moon
A modern take on Pick Floyd’s, Dark Side of the Moon album cover.

Purchase this Tee
The Dark Side of the Moon is currently unavailable for purchase. Check back in June 2024 or pursue my entire collection of graphic tees on Cotton Bureau.

Factory Icon Series

Creative Musing + Product
November 2018

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Factory Icon Series
Some fun minimal vintage factory icons.

Purchase this Icon Set
This icon set is available for purchase, email me for licensing and cost.

United & Vote

Creative Musing
November 2018

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United & Vote
“If we don’t vote, we are ignoring history and giving away the future.” This quote by Pat Mitchel reminds us of our obligation as U.S. citizens to vote for our future. Absorb these words, take action, register and head to the polls when you are called on each election day. Vote!

Buy this Poster and Tee
This mark is available as a poster in my shop and can be purchased on a tee at Cotton Bureau

Flying Dutchman

Creative Musing + Product
October 2018

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Flying Dutchman
This display typeface embodies a minimalist, contemporary boxy serif style, inspired by my earlier creation, Dutch Mafia.

Buy this Display Typeface
Flying Dutchman is available for purchase, email me for licensing and cost.

Related Content
Take a look at Flying Dutchman showcased on a vintage skateboard deck by Moose Skateboards.

MYD Studio, Architectural Styles

Product
May 2018

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MYD Studio, Architectural Styles
My poster was bought, and the customer sent me a photo along with this friendly note from Lauren Moss, purchaser and owner of MYD Studio, “Framed minimally and placed on the ideal wall space, this Architectural Styles poster is the latest addition to our studio storefront, serving as a beautiful and fitting source of graphic inspiration.”

Buy this Poster
This poster is available for purchase in my shop.

ILLOHUS

Creative Musing + Product
October 2017

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ILLOHUS
I designed this logo for my side hustle, selling posters and products in my shop.

 

Fultonwood Type Foundry

Client Project + Product
September 2017

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Fultonwood Type Foundry
Collaborated closely with Fultonwood Type Foundry to create an illustration highlighting their design process and homage to traditional typeface tools, echoing the stylistic elements of typefaces they craft.

  • + Poster Illustration & Design

  • + Illustration
    + Graphic Design

  • This poster is available for purchase in my shop.

  • The posters is paired with the typeface Bronkema designed by Zac Freeland from Fultonwood Type Foundry.

Suburbia

Creative Musing + Product
June 2017

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Suburbia
A dizzying illustrative representation of endless suburban rooftops.

Buy this Poster

This poster is available for purchase in my shop.

Skate, Surf, & Art

Article + Product
January 2017

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Skate, Surf, & Art
Monsa Publications requested permission to feature my illustrated skateboard deck graphic, "Urban Totem," in their book titled "Skate, Surf, and Art." This graphic, originally created for a fundraiser aimed at constructing a new skatepark.

Buy this Book
Skate, Surf, & Art is available for purchase on Monsa Publications website.

Dwell Feature

Article + Product
December 2016

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Dwell Feature
Thank you Dwell for promoting my work in this month’s issue of Dwell Magazine and on dwell.com It’s nice to be noticed ☺️

What the Dwell blurb reads, “Design With an Eye for Fine Lines. Michigan-based graphic designer and illustrator Michael Nykamp takes minimalist approach to creating portraits and logos for a variety of clients, including AIGA West Michigan, Herman Miller, and musician Truman Cage. We also love his crisp drawings of midcentury classics, such as Jens Risom’s A-Frame house. Follow his collaborations, posters and personal explorations like this geometric lion at dwell.”

Additional Content
View my work on Dwell.

Illustration Society

Article + Product
January 2016

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Illustration Society
I contributed several limited edition screen prints from the Citizen Project, specifically the poster Thirteen Stripes, Fifty Stars, to the Illustration Society, Silent Auction (organized by Kendall College of Art and Design). The proceeds will support Kendall’s illustration program and Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.

Buy this Poster
These limited edition screen prints are available for purchase in my shop.

Related Content
Read an article about the Citizen Project by Emily Pots from Against The Grain.