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About Jim Young

Where I'm At

Physically, I call northern Michigan home. In my career, I'm on the hunt for my next full time employee opportunity. In the meantime, I'm staying busy doing what I do, freelancing under my new LLC “Jim Creates.” I’m keeping the JY logo though. That’s ma name, after all - Jim Young. Nice to meet you.

What I Do

My career as a graphic designer and illustrator officially kicked off back in 2007. Since then, I've experienced working for large corporate companies to small family-owned businesses and even running my own solo business. I've worked hard to get here, but also feel fortunate to experience the opportunities that I have over the past nearly 2 decades.

  • Logos and branding

  • Print: catalogs, brochures, flyers, banners etc. 

  • Web and digital

  • Packaging: boxes, bags, wraps, labels

  • 3D pop-up displays

  • Trade Show Booths​​

  • Digital Illustration

  • Apparel and merchandise art

  • Fine art commissions

  • ​Wayfinding​

  • Vehicle wraps

  • Murals and more​

I approach my work by exploring unique composition, typography, and texture to create high contrast and hierarchy. All while maintaining a strong eye on the details and, most importantly, always keeping the audience in mind.

How I Got Here

I studied Illustration from 2002 to 2007 at Northern Michigan University. Nothing but love for the place. They have an amazing program that was a key step in my career. Which is why I chose to include some of those projects “from my art school days”, in my portfolio, that you hopefully had a chance to see here. I’ll put a few below - some dating back to about 2005. They’re not all great and that's the point. To me, they represent progress. 

The correlation between traditional art and the digital world created a pretty seamless progression into my career as a graphic designer. With the knowledge of all aspects of visual structure like size, shape, hue saturation, brightness, contrast, composition, etc. as it relates to a drawing or painting, absolutely translated into the world of graphic design. Not to mention having the ability to quickly sketch ideas and visualize concepts for employers and clients, before swaying too far in the wrong direction, has proven to be a valuable skillset. It’s how I still approach most jobs today. 

Where I've Been

Right Brain Brewery
Traverse City, MI

Graphic Designer / Marketing Director     |   Jun '22 - Oct '24

Skilled Manufaturing Inc.
Traverse City, MI

Brand Manager   |   Jun '21 - Jun '22

Alfie Logo Gear
Traverse City, MI

Production Artist   |   Jan '21 - Jul '21

Freelance
Traverse City, MI

Graphic Designer & Illustrator   |   Jan '20 - Jan '21

Stahls'
Sterling Heights, MI

Senior Designer   |   Jun '18 - Jan '20

Strive Creative'
Ferndale, MI

Lead Designer   |   Dec '17 - Jun '18

Restructured position as Marketing Director to focus on my passion for graphic design. Maintained all aspects of design, including the brewery's packaging and beer labels, presentations and sell sheets for prospective distributors, apparel and promotional products, social media, newsletters, web design, and event flyers.

Graphic Design, or Illustration?

My shoulders are shrugged. I love them both. Yes, I've been drawing basically ever since I could hold a pencil. And yes, It's what I have my degree in, but I also have more professional experience in graphic design. I absolutely love the process and craft that goes into good design. The scrutinizing of every line and letter. The potential for longevity in a strong logo, and the endless applications of how your work can be shown to the world. There’s no way I could choose.

FAQ'S

Do you prefer graphic design or illustration?

I've been asked this a lot and I can never answer. I honestly love them both equally. 

Print or Digital?

I have to go with Print. I'm artists, therefore I love design and the possibility that both print and digital creates. But, In a digital world were constantly starring at screens. I've found there's still plenty demand for tangible marketing material that you can physically experience. Whenever I have the opportunity to design something like a high-end catalog or brochure, It's always a breath of fresh air.

Out of everything you do as a graphic designer, whats your favorite?

That's another tough one. I think it depends on when you ask. Logos and branding has always been one of my favorites. Although, lately I have been itching for a quality brochure or catalog design to come my way.

Skills

  • Logo & identity 

  • Package design

  • Catalogs & brochures

  • Print & digital ads 

  • Prepress​

  • Large format graphics

  • Apparel & merchandise art

  • Drawing & painting

  • Digital art

  • Photography 

  • ​​Email marketing / newsletters

  • Social media graphics

  • Vinyl cutters & heat presses​

  • ​Communication

  • Creative direction

  • Project & time management 

  • Adobe InDesign

  • Adobe Photoshop

  • Adobe Illustrator 

  • Adobe Fresco

Recognition

Featured in multiple publications, including Traverse City's Record Eagle and the Detroit Free Press for designing over 50 unique beer labels and packaging found in stores throughout the state of Michigan, and for leading a large mural project at Traverse City's Right Brain Brewery. 2018-2024

 

Designed award-winning brochures by the Gallery of Superb Printing for Superior Design and Craftsmanship. June, 2015

 

Received Honorable Mention at Lac Ste. Claire Fine Art Fair for submissions in illustration. September, 2014

  • Painting

  • Playing Guitar​

  • Building things

  • Basic woodwork

  • Just being in the woods

  • Spending time on my property

  • Mountain Biking

  • Snowboarding

  • Hiking

  • Fishing

  • Photography​

  • Drawing

Hobbies

Northern Michigan University

2002-2007

​

BFA

Concentration in Illustration

Education
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