Recently this month I went to hear MK12 speak at an event put on by the Arizona chapter of AIGA. MK12 is a design and filmmaking collective out of Kansas City, MO that create title sequences, game cinematics & promotion, music videos, and network and advertising projects, and much more. They’ve worked on such things as the title sequence for Quantum of Solace, music videos for Common and a collaborative video for Jack White and Alicia Keys, and motion graphics for the game Green Day Rock Band.
All of this work helps the 9 employees of MK12 pay the bills as well as fund the creative and original short films they really enjoy making. Most notably are Telephoneme and their collaboration with NY-based painter Brian Alfred called Overload which is now in the Guggenheim‘s permanent collection.
The presentation was packed A to Z with inspiration. Literally he went through the alphabet, through artists, movies, music, and including the best of their work to inspire the audience. It didn’t matter if you were a motion designer or a typographer there was something for the designer in all of us.
I honestly wish I would have taken better notes during this speech. I jotted down a few partial names but my searching hasn’t turned up anything. Next time I attend an event like this, and I most certainly will, I’ll make sure I have my pen and paper ready.
I encourage everyone to browse through MK12’s work and read more about them. If not I at least recommend you watch their Summer Reel that features some amazing work compacted into just under 2 minutes. I also hope AIGA continues to have events like this so I can continue to attend them. If you are a designer I encourage you to look into and possible join AIGA.
