Portfolio – Strong + Free Design Media and Mike Simpson.
“I’m happy to share some images and insights into some favorite recent projects. I’m strongly motivated by creating graphics and illustrations from photography, but giving it a playful twist – something a little different, a little unusual – and hopefully memorable. I work in traditional design for print, and websites and new media (motion graphics, music, video). If you have any comments, please email me at mike | strongandfree.ca”
“Music City” - television ident for CCCTV. 10 second motion graphic piece made with Adobe Illustrator and After Effects.
“AK47 – Serial Killer” - Concept for spread - illustration and typography for Wired Magazine article
“Works” - promotional card for Centennial College student show
“Naranjo Coffee” – Concept for Branding, Package Design and Illustration for Costa Rican coffee company
Check out my PDF Portfolio.
Mike Simpson has been involved with art and design for more than twenty years. He is an accomplished writer and musician/producer who has recently begun working seriously with video and motion graphics.
Mike’s Creative Roots:
Interested in urban culture, Mike has been artist and entrepreneur, developing product lines and brands in fashion (streetwear), music, and publishing (fanzines and websites). He is highly capable from concept development to production in a number of design avenues including print, websites and multimedia.
Mike launched a self-initiated fanzine called DPM in the late 1980s. The magazine focused on music, politics and cultural issues. This initiative provided Mike the opportunity to interview some of his musical heroes, including: Bill Stevenson (Descendents/ALL), Henry Rollins (Black Flag/ Rollins Band), John Kastner (Doughboys) and Ian Mackaye (Minor Threat/Fugazi).
Always street savvy and aware of emerging trends and movements in areas like fashion and music, Mike founded a youth-oriented, urban clothing company called Sick in 1996. Several trade-marks were established and guerrilla marketing was employed. A grassroots skateboarding website was established and the clothing company was advertised via the website. Mike is a singer/songwriter and founded a number of alternative rock bands in the 90s, including Search Party and Spy Boy 5
Travel and Leisure: Mike enjoys hiking and photography. He has been fortunate enough to travel across Canada twice (a favourite trip was by car, round-trip to Vancouver), and recently venture to Costa Rica and Southern Russia (Spacing magazine published a “streetscape” article on Rostov-on-Don in its Spring 2009 issue – read my first draft called “Among the Cossacks.”). Locally, Mike prefers getting off the beaten path in places like Kensington Market and High Park (Toronto), and further afield, the parks of Ontario including Algonquin Park (Achray, interior camping).
Mike would be remiss if he would neglect to mention his blog, where he writes about art, design, culture, and documentary film. Visit http://iam.strongandfree.ca/ to read Mike’s blog postings, and book reviews.
