Myname is Michael McDougall, and I have been designing since 2017.
Prior to this, my first steps into working was like most people’s: fast food. Once I left fast food, I vowed to never return because it is a thankless industry. In the jobs I held afterwards, I found ways to incorporate my design skills. Despite these jobs not being graphic design by nature, I still let my design abilities be known while simultaneously fulfilling regular job obligations. Initially, I chose graphic design as my major on a whim and it has luckily worked out. During my time of study, I have seen and learned how diverse and flexible the graphic design discipline is with just about anything and everything visual. I have had opportunities to design logos, edit and animate videos, and create physical designs to name but a few experiences. I look forward to sharing these works with you. Please enjoy
Brat Cat–Beer Label
3.25 x 4.25”, Digital composition, November 2020
A whimsical beer label I made for my dad who took up home brewing as a hobby. It features my cat midyawn with changes to give him a fiercer look. I wanted the label to have the edgier aesthetic that most beer labels have.
The design of the Vastatosaurus Rex featured in the 2005 movie “King Kong” is one of the best designs of a dinosaur in my opinion. Taking a model figure I had and atmospheric spray, I went to a nearby park at dawn and took this photo. I then incorporated it into the design of a book cover for the book that arguably spawned the genre of lands lost in time.
Truck Company “Reckless”– Shirt
6.5 x 7.5”, Heat press on a shirt, October 2023
The Marines in Las Vegas wanted an identity for the company to rally behind. Word got out that I am a graphic designer, and I was tasked with creating the logo based on the company commander’s intent. It is still in use today with additional assets and variations being created.
Chevy Impala–Magazine Spread
17 x 11”, spread Digital layout, September 2020
I have a love for classic, boxy American sedans. Back when I owned a 1980 Impala, I wanted to create a tribute to this style of car that will probably never return. A magazine spread was the best way to do this as I could both write about my car, and feature photographs I took of it.
Squirtito el Bandito–Postcard Art
5 x 7”, Digital composition, May 2020
A personal project I made after a photo was taken of my cat, Squirt, with his mouth opened. I immediately pictured him having a smoke. I turned this silly idea into reality via photomontage. From there, additional elements from old Western movies were added to enhance the aesthetic.
Santa Cruz–Skateboard Art
28 x 10.5”, Digital illustration, December 2020
Santa Cruz Skateboards is a company that embraces skateboard culture and employs a rebellious, avant garde art style in their various merchandises. I was inspired by the free-form art style often tied to skateboarding culture. I challenged myself to create a looser design, taking inspiration from the psychedelic art of the 1960s with high contrast colors.
Godzilla 2020–Poster Art
11 x 17”, Digital composition, November 2019
I created a movie poster for a conceptual Godzilla movie released in 2020 cleverly titled “Godzilla: 2020.” The main title features custom typography inspired by Japanese Kanji. Photomontage techniques were also employed through the use of a Godzilla toy that I own and free stock photography assets.
Ignoramus Sapiens–Large Poster
11 x 14”, Digital illustration, May 2019
An embodiment of ignorance as it corrupts and blinds an individual helpless to stop it. This piece is inspired by the idea that some information should not be taken at face value. It is okay to be skeptical about a topic, ask questions, and stifle ignorance. Typography is purposely small to bring the viewer closer to the grotesque humanoid.
The Beast from 20k Fathoms– Poster Art
11 x 17”, Digital illustration, November 2019
“The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms” is a classic B movie featuring a giant reptilian monster. I created this poster as a reboot for the movie. The poster also features a custom biohazard logo for viruses given the Beast’s toxic blood and bite. The Beast I saw had potential to be rebranded as a metaphor for pandemics. This was created pre-Covid.
Dam Short Film Festival– Poster Art
12 x 18”, Digital composition, May 2022
When I received word that the Dam Short Film Festival was accepting submissions for the 2023 event, I took the opportunity to submit my entry. I went with a photomontage approach. I took inspiration from Nevada’s state animal, visual simile between its horns and a film reel, as well as the beauty of the desert with city lights on the horizon.
Cast Your Vote 2024–
Poster Art
11x17, Vector composition, March 2024
Taking inspiration from Alexander Rodenchko and Russian Constructivism, I created a voting poster urging people to vote in the 2024 election. Rodenchko’s work, titled: “Baby Dummies,” was my main source of inspiration. I implemented Rodenchko’s use of two solid colors as well as basic shapes and lines to create a geometric illustration.
16 x 22”, Vector composition, March 2024
The objective was to pick an amendment and create a poster to raise awareness, call for a change, or discuss its original purpose. I chose to raise awareness on how the fourth amendment is applied for Online data collection, where the amendment is sometimes not upheld. This was also intentionally done in a minimalistic style to let the concept speak for itself.
Eighth Short Film Showcase– Poster
22 x 28”, Vector composition, June 2019
The professor for the film program at the College of Southern Nevada approached me with an idea of a poster for his short film showcase. My poster concept of a Hollywood star was eventually selected. In the months that followed, I communicated with him in finalizing the poster, information, and in the development of social media and screen assets.
Research, sketches, rough drafts and a final mockup were done in the span of seven days. I chose to create an Instagram ad campaign raising awareness on Colorado River water usage. This was created with consideration to accessibility standards as well as staying in theme with Southwestern aesthetics.
Toys For Tots Campaign– Logo
5 x 6”, Vector graphic, October 2023
Another project for the Marines here in Las Vegas. Toys for Tots is a nationwide campaign with its own logo, but individual regions can choose to create their own logo that uses the Toys for Tots brand. I created a poker chip design with design accents placed radially that are personal to the state of Nevada and the Marine unit.
Taricha Regenerative Automotive– Logo
10 x 13″, Vector graphic, March 2021
A logo for a fictional car brand that produces cars with regenerative body panels. The logo takes heavy inspiration from starfish, known for their remarkable regenerative capabilities. The name “Taricha” is the scientific name of a salamander, also known to have regenerative abilities.
Mr. Parlay Sports Bets– Logo
6 x 3.5”, Vector graphic, December 2019
One of my first commissioned logos. This logo was for a client who wanted me to revive their stock-art logo for sports betting. Being based in Las Vegas, it was important to include the skyline but have it stylized so as to not be like the rest. The bold and heavy typography was chosen to mimic what is often seen in sports logos.
Standoff–Comic Panel
2520 x 3159px, Paper to digital, November 2023
A one-panel comic inspired by the witty humor of Gary Larson. Here, we find a cowboy who has confused two popular figures of speech: “never bring a knife to a gunfight” and “the pen is mightier than the sword.” I first illustrated this as pen and ink on paper before scanning it to digital and colorizing it digitally.
The Flies & the Honey Pot– Illustration
11 x 14”, Ink on paper, September 2023
This was a project wherein I was tasked with illustrating my choice of Aesop’s Fables. This illustrates the fable of “the Flies and the Honey.” The flies unknowingly meet their demise as they obsess over the very honey that traps and kills them.
Sake on the Patio– Illustration
18 x 24”, Charcoal on paper, May 2020
This was done as a Mother’s Day gift and it is still framed on the wall of my mom’s kitchen. Being that the medium is charcoal, it was more liberating to draw with than by pencil. Obtaining finer details took more time and precision, however.
Type Among Us–Self-Portrait
8.5 x11”, Vector composition, February 2024
Paying attention to the subtleties of typographical elements, I combined five typefaces (Didot, Baskerville, Benguiat, Bely, and Serifa) to create a self-portrait. Individual characters were not distorted in anyway (besides being scaled) in order to preserve their unique characteristics.
Zoomiez Cat Toys–Product Packaging
6.25 x 4.75 x 0.75”, Printed paper, July 2023
Taking a random cat toy I found in the house (the original packaging was long lost,) I aimed to create a new brand and package for it. I knew I wanted to achieve a crafty, handmade quality for the brand. The overall process for developing Zoomiez demonstrated that almost anything can be branded or marketed.
The Nokna Mori–
Pastel Illustration
8×24”, Pastel on paper, April 2023
I embraced Expressionism to embody the idea of a nightmare given the loser qualities of both the pastel medium and style. At this stage, the creature was ambiguous. Questions pertaining to the origins of this creature would remain unanswered until future development.
The Nokna Mori–Figure Sculpture
4 x 10”, Acrylic on polymer clay, December 2023
This horror dwells in the realm of the unconscious mind. Those who have entered an unconscious state by any means— and returned— report similar encounters with what has become known as the ‘Nokna Mori.’ Survivors describe it as having an altered, viscous appearance. Noteably, the face is said to ooze forth from fissures in its body. Out maneuvering this entity is a near impossibility.
11 x 9”, Digital composition, November 2023
This is part of a larger brand identity for the Exalted Moonbeam: the Victorian performer who can conjure beams of light brighter than the Moon from his own eyes. The idea was to brand a relaxing tea product that attendees could purchase at one of Moonbeam’s events. The illustration of the leaves was done on paper with watercolors. Exalted
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA
‘Sintesis’ Techno
Concert– Branding
16 x 22”, Vector and bitmap poster, April 2024 10
This poster is part of a series of designs that includes a name badge and Instagram post. The objective was to develop the branding and information for a notional music festival while maintaining consistency across multiple mediums. I took heavy inspiration from retro-futuristic aesthetics to amplify the techno theme of the event.
Snowfall on the Brewery– Photo
6000 x 4000px, Digital photo, February 2023
I had the opportunity to visit the Sapporo brewery in Sapporo, Japan. Snowfall is plentiful in the Hokkaido region of Japan during winter, leading to this picturesque photo.
Let’s Go Camping–
Still Life photo
5200 x 3300px, Digital photo, May 2023
Taking miscellaneous items related to camping, I created a still life studio set up. The concept was to take product photographs that would be used in a camping-themed magazine.
The Buddha at Dawn– Photo
6000 x 4000px, Digital photo, February 2023
When visiting the Ryōan-ji Zen temple in Kyoto, Japan, I walked past a circular window that peered out into a small garden. This small garden had perfectly kept gravel, bamboo shoots and a statue of the Buddha standing a top a stone monolith. The window provided the perfect frame for the scene you are seeing.
Hot and Cold, Orange & Blue– Photo
6000 x 4000px, Digital photo, March 2022
A slightly longer camera lens exposure yielded wispier flames. At the time the photo was taken, dusk had settled, giving the environment a calming blue color. Like the heat and the cold complement one another, so too do the colors orange and blue.
