Derek Queen

My name is Derek Queen and this is my portfolio. You'll see my various design work featured here as well as any other projects I may be working on.

[derektqueen]

As a graphic designer at Moosejaw Mountaineering, I’ve had the opportunity to create all sorts of fun projects. My design work at Moosejaw ranges from web advertising to social media to print to apparel. I’ve designed large displays such as window clings at our new Bike & Snow shop, t-shirts with “madness-y” concepts, and emails promoting sales on the Moosejaw website. 

[derektqueen]

Moosejaw Mountaineering launched its first ever Pride Month initiative in 2019 which included social media outreach, participation in Motor City Pride, and the release of a pride product collection. 

Being the member of the LGBTQ+ community and a part of the graphic design team, I got to design the direction of the initiative from start to finish. These projects the past few years have included t-shirts, tank tops, pins, tote bags, advertising, and a mural for the Detroit shop.

The pride collection from Moosejaw has consistently been a success with a percentage of proceeds each year being donated to organizations such as Equality Michigan and the Ruth Ellis Center. 

[derektqueen]

The Clarkston Cobras is a new southeast Michigan-based nonprofit organization/flag football team. The organization is led by people breaking from an already established organization of the same kind; these people seeking a fresh and clean start. 

This logo mark has three structural variations including its full version, its icon mark, and its typographic mark. The icon of the mark represents the team’s mascot and is designed symmetrically for an attractive appearance and dynamic placements in the organization’s design collateral. Its abstract design allows for flexibility in the color combinations used and in its applications across a variety of media. 

For the organization’s convenience as well as for bold presentation, a free typeface named “Russo One” was used for the logo mark. This typeface is used alongside “Arial” for good contrast on the organization’s stationery; both typefaces are also free which makes them budget friendly. The stationery that has been designed includes the organization’s letterhead and business cards; both of these designs proudly feature the logo and good hierarchy (as a result of the typography and choice of typefaces).

[derektqueen]

That Groovy Scoobcast is the go-to audio-hub for all things Scooby-Doo! Shannon Downey and I are the hosts on this podcast that explores and reviews every kind of Scooby-Doo media.

Every Sunday a new podcast comes out taking a look at an episode from the cartoon franchise that came out anytime between 1969 and the present. Shannon and I play trivia with their Mystery Machine Match, share a fun fact about the franchise each week, and share any news that is going on about the cartoon.

[derektqueen]

My very first internship I did in graphic design was with an automotive supply company called Dayco Products, LLC, located in Troy, Michigan. A great bulk of work I did there consisted of editing photography of their products. I also did brochure design work and even put together the company-wide desktop wallpaper. I gained a lot of knowledge from this company when it came to working with Adobe Photoshop and Adobe InDesign.

"Dayco is a global leader in the research, design, manufacturing and distribution of essential engine products, drive systems and services for automobiles, trucks, construction, agriculture and industry". 

[derektqueen]

Kar’s Nuts is a snack-food company operating out of Madison Heights, Michigan. The company approached Seattle-based design studio, Retail Voodoo, for a branding-overhaul on their logo, packaging, and all visual communications. Once the brand concept was established, Kar’s Marketing Manager brought in me as a design intern to implement the new brand style on all of their packaging and miscellaneous communications.

Pictured here are several cartons and bags that I’ve constructed based on Retail Voodoo’s design concepts. A lot of the work that went into these consisted of troubleshooting PANTONE colors, how ingredients and claims should be displayed in the style of the new brand, and creating cohesive looking cartons that look like a unified brand on a shelf. 

I’ve gotten to select colors for three of the company’s newest trail mixes including their S’mores Mix, PB&J Mix, and Texas BBQ Mix. Digital mock ups and advertising have also been part of the work I’ve done while interning for this company. 

[derektqueen]

Cookie Pies is a conceptual dessert company specializing in cookie products presented in uniquely-designed packaging. The packaging is intended to both quickly portray the product on the outside and characterize it as a fun and sweet treat. Its design is also mindful of those who would rather have a small portion of the product rather than purchasing the whole. To accomplish this, Cookie Pies offers both full cookie pies and cookie pie wedge packages. 

[derektqueen]

GRIZZ brings together satirical comic strips and guerrilla marketing with the goal of holding up a mirror to Oakland University. Addressing faults and shortcomings that exist within the institution’s campus and policies, GRIZZ calls on students to take initiative and voice their opinions. These seemingly simple drawings of a college student and his mascot best friend have the power to call for change - and show students they are empowered to make it happen.

[derektqueen]

Shakespeare in Detroit is a non-profit theater organization that approached my former professor’s Good Community Design program for a new logo mark and brand style. My team worked to develop a new look for the organization. I, as well as fellow designers Brett Blum and Emma Blair, conceived various graphics and ideas for the organization including the timeless logo, stylized donor level icons, and print materials. We summarized our pitch of this brand saying:

“Shakespeare in Detroit is a company that emphasizes the various building blocks that drive Detroit. They value the equity, diversity, and inclusionary attitude that Detroit prides itself on by adopting those qualities in our company and performances. Its work supports the city’s cultural, educational, and financial growth; Detroit’s development as a destination for the arts is something the organization wants to build towards.”