UMS invited me back to illlustrate and Riso-print the 2024 limited edition posters for Underground Music Showcase. An annual three-day music festival in Denver, Colorado. In the midde of the summer heat, UMS throws a huge party to celebrate local music.
Thank you to Two Parts and Youth on Record for partnering with me on this project. Printed by Odd Ones Press.
The Spectre Tarot deck is a mystic tool with 78 custom illustrated cards. The tuck box, as well as front and back of each card, is heat-stamped with holographic foil on uncoated black paper—giving it a cosmic, hand-made feel. The major arcana illustrations are gender non-confirming femmes, in a medieval glam style.︎
A special thank you to everyone who sent messages expressing interest in this deck. Photography and staging by yours truly.︎
A special thank you to everyone who sent messages expressing interest in this deck. Photography and staging by yours truly.︎
︎︎︎ Major Arcana
︎︎︎ Minor Arcana
Oscar’s Eats is a new Grab-N-Go Delicatessen located inside Leevers Locavore. Serving fresh sandwiches made with local ingredients. They have a grab-n-go section featuring seasonal, scratch-made items you can add to any meal. All made with long-loved family recipes.
Michelle Merlin, Brand Design, Illustration, Signage Design, Web & Social Media
This project was partnered with Jason Wedekind at Genghis Kern.
This project was partnered with Jason Wedekind at Genghis Kern.
Double Dealer is a subterranean cocktail bar, hidden beneath New Orleans’ historic Orpheum Theater. The interiors are filled with theatrical misdirection and cinematic delights that unfold as guests move throughout the space. Being one of the rare underground establishments in New Orleans, we created a visual identity that plays heavily in themes of mythology, mystery, and surprise.
For this project, I created the custom Art Nouveau-inspired lettering for the logotype, built out the brand system, illustrated the mysterious two-headed figures that appear throughout the night, designed the magazine-style menus, animated coasters, and cryptic copy-writing. Designed at The Made Shop.
For this project, I created the custom Art Nouveau-inspired lettering for the logotype, built out the brand system, illustrated the mysterious two-headed figures that appear throughout the night, designed the magazine-style menus, animated coasters, and cryptic copy-writing. Designed at The Made Shop.
This project won the Visual Identity Award at the 2021 Restaurant & Bar Design Awards
Michelle Merlin, Design, Illustration, Lettering, Print Design, Interior Touchpoints, Copywriting, Mythology Weaving
Kyle Hunninghake, Print Design
Adam Blake, Creative Direction, Illustration
Marke Johnson, Creative Direction, Signage
Kim Johnson, Production Management
Farouki Farouki, Interior Design
Michelle Merlin, Design, Illustration, Lettering, Print Design, Interior Touchpoints, Copywriting, Mythology Weaving
Kyle Hunninghake, Print Design
Adam Blake, Creative Direction, Illustration
Marke Johnson, Creative Direction, Signage
Kim Johnson, Production Management
Farouki Farouki, Interior Design
Artcade was a gallery space filled with arcade games that were co-opted by a group of local artists. You could even win fine art as prizes. It was a treat for arcade and contemporary art lovers.
I was invited to create a visual identity for the show. The result is a playful homage to the early years of video arcades, with maximal 70s and 80s lettering and type treatments. Enjoy!
Big thanks to the team at Understudy for being so trusting and cool to work with. We love it! And thanks to Uncle Bruce for introducing me to AsteroidsTM as a kid.
I was invited to create a visual identity for the show. The result is a playful homage to the early years of video arcades, with maximal 70s and 80s lettering and type treatments. Enjoy!
Big thanks to the team at Understudy for being so trusting and cool to work with. We love it! And thanks to Uncle Bruce for introducing me to AsteroidsTM as a kid.
Artcade took place at Understudy in Denver, CO during the 2021/2022 winter months.
Window mural by Jae Mo + Kevin Hennessy
