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    • Brand Icons (21)
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    • Tradeshow (6)

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Minneapolis, Mn 55418

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mnfx portfolio blog

  • Surly Brewing Co. Darkness Day

    20Oct
    Categories: Brand Icons, Design and Illustration Comments: 0

    MNFX is dedicated to realizing design and vision across a wide range of media.  Each and every one of our staff are not only problem solvers and builders, but designers in their own right.  So whether you have a design you need created, or are looking for original ideas, chances are we can help you!

    Each year, local brewery Surly Brewing Co. celebrates the release of their Russian Imperial Stout, “Darkness”, by commissioning a local artist to create new bottle label art.  The art is also used for clothing, posters, and advertising.  MNFX artist Michael Berglund has created a nightmarish zombie theme for 2011.  The bottles and materials become collectors’ items.  MNFX also created custom signage for the brewery, and wax stamps for use in decorating the bottles.

    A nasty zombie enjoying his chalice of Darkness.

    A nasty zombie enjoying his chalice of Darkness.

    At Surly’s request, Michael also has created a custom painted self-portrait for the occasion.

    A portrait in the style of 1960's monster movie magazines. Grr!

    A portrait in the style of 1960's monster movie magazines. Grr!

    Watch for “Darkness” in stores–and on Ebay as it becomes a collectible.

    Cheers!

    A photo mockup of the finished bottle design.

    A photo mockup of the finished bottle design.

    Tags: brands, Design, Illustration, marketing, Surly, zombies
  • Cadillac Perspective Panels

    17Aug
    Categories: Brand Icons, Scenic, Tradeshow Comments: 0

    These panel display systems were fabricated to promote the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe. The installations could be found at airports in Chicago, Philadelphia, Tampa and Dallas. The systems consisted of a low profile stage floor with ramps and banner boards that were held upright by the flooring.

    Cadillac Illusion sideThe front of the boards had a front view of the CTS-V Coupe that was broken up among the panels and printed at various sizes.

    Cadillac Illusion frontWhen the panels are viewed at the correct spot, the images on the panels line up to form the complete image.

    Cadillac Illusion backThe banner boards had information highlighting various aspects of the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe on the back.

    Cadillac Illusion heightEach panel was approximately 30 x 72 x 3 inches. The public could freely walk around the panels to read the information.

    Tags: banners, cadillac, coupe, cts-v, display, exhibit, fallon, installation, stage
  • Miller Logo

    16Aug
    Categories: Brand Icons Comments: 0

    This image is of the Miller beer logo that we constructed in a dimensional interpretation. With a mix of hand sculpted and machined parts.

    Miller Logo

    Tags: miller, miller beer, miller eagle, miller logo, sculpted logo
  • Gander Mountain Weathered Sign

    10Aug
    Categories: Brand Icons, Scenic Comments: 0

    This is a hand crafted weathered sign produced for Gander Mountain. We started out with old weathered barn wood. Spliced the planks together and then hand weathered the boards even further through various methods such as, bead blasting, wire brush and a few oddly modified power tools.

    The final touches to the weathered look was achieved with paint, various wash coats and some dry brush techniques. From the large ‘You’re’ to the little ‘Camp’ and everything in between, the artwork on the sign is all hand painted.

    Gander Mountain Weathered Sign

    Tags: barn wood, candy store, Gander Mountain, hunt fish camp, weathered sign
  • Cadillac CTS-V Installations at Time Warner Center

    04Aug
    Categories: Brand Icons, Portfolio, Signage Comments: 0

    These two installations were fabricated for use in The Shops at Columbus Circle Time Warner Center in New York City to promote the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe.

    The first was creating a thin stage that held up a 12′x10′ two sided banner wall. There is also an interactive touch screen kiosk where interested customers could spin the car with a swipe of the finger and change the cars color. Eight 4′x9′ printed boards were attached to the columns to expand the installations presence.

    TWC Touchscreen frontStage with banner and touch screen kiosk.

    TWC Touchscreen backWhat passerby’s see from the reverse side.

    The other installation consisted of a red carpet, double banner platform and two angular floor signs.

    TWC Red Carpet frontAngular signs were fabricated from plywood and covered with vinyl.

    TWC Red Carpet aboveA birds-eye view of potential buyers checking out the 556-hp engine.

    TWC Red Carpet backPlatform that holds up two banners with specs about the car.

    Tags: banner, cadillac, coupe, cts-v, installation, kiosk, red carpet, shops at columbus circle, stage, time warner center, touch screen, twc
  • Thank You Target

    02Aug
    Categories: Brand Icons, Other Comments: 0

    This custom fabricated pull along toy was made for a Target ad. Each letter was handcrafted from solid wood and stained in white and red. The perspective was built into the toy, so each letter was made smaller than the next. Photography by Tom Connors.

    Target Thank You Pull Toy

    Tags: handcrafted, pull along toy, pull toy, red head kid, target, thank you, wood toy
  • Tony’s Belt Buckle

    02Aug
    Categories: Brand Icons, Table Top Props Comments: 0

    Produced a faux belt buckle of the Tony’s Pizza logo. Made using an etched metal plate and hand texturing the recesses. Also hand aged the belt to make it look like its been worn for a few decades.

    Tony's Pizza - Belt Buckle

    Tags: belt buckle, big buckle, decades old, tonys pizza, worn belt
  • Will The Real Kenny Rogers Please Speak Up

    02Aug
    Categories: Brand Icons, Portfolio, Tradeshow Comments: 0

    Dolly and Kenny 1

    Dolly Parton wanted to do a duet with Kenny Rogers on her 2004 “Hello I’m Dolly” Tour.  But the real Kenny couldn’t make it. So we did the next best thing and gave a face lift to a ventriloquist puppet in the image of the legend himself. Actually we made two, never hurts to have a backup Kenny encase one gets lost while on tour.

    Kenny Rogers Puppet

    The real Kenny did record a voice over and vocals track to play along with Dollys stage skit. Once they finished their “Islands in the Stream” duet, Kenny was promptly stuffed back into his trunk and rolled off stage.

    Dolly Group Pictures

    A few of us backstage with Dolly Parton at the Xcel Center.

    Tags: concert prop, dolly parton, duet, dummy, hello i'm dolly tour, islands in the stream, kenny rogers, ventriloquism, ventriloquist, xcel center
  • Army of Doughboy

    18May
    Categories: Brand Icons, Portfolio, Presentation Comments: 0

    These 8 inch tall maquettes were sculpted to be the official look of the Pillsbury Doughboy for licensing purposes. Producing silicone molds from the sculpture, multiples were then cast in house and painted. These are sent out to companies that want to license the Doughboy image for products such as this. Any reproductions are to be based on the likeness of these maquettes.

    Pillbury Doughboy Maquette Army

    Later we used the molds to cast hundreds of copies, but painted them gold. Attached them to thicker bases with engraved plaques. They were then handed out to General Mills/Pillsbury employees as an achievement award.

    Pillsbury Gold Doughboys

    Tags: awards, doughboy, general mills, maquette, pillsbury, pillsbury doughboy, poppin fresh
  • Giant Troll Doll Toupee

    18May
    Categories: Brand Icons, Portfolio, Signage Comments: 1

    Preston Kelly wanted to add some dimension to these Grand Casino billboards featuring the iconic Troll Doll. So we essentially made giant Troll Doll wigs. Each one is 16 feet wide and rise 5 feet above the billboard. They are constructed of a plywood support backing with foam that was then carved. The whole sculpture is then coated with a plastic shell and painted.
    Two of them were fabricated and both were installed within the last week by the fine folks at Clear Channel.
    One can be found on Northbound I-94 near Rogers, Mn for Grand Casino Mille Lacs. The other is near the 694/35E split in Vadnais Heights, Mn for Grand Casino Hinckley .

    Troll Doll 94 frontThe I-94 billboard.

    Troll Doll boardsStep 1: Construct the reinforced plywood backbone.

    Troll Doll foam blockStep 2: Adhere the plywood and foam together, making them one.

    Troll Doll foam sandingStep 3: Start carving away at the foam like a madman finding his way out of a snow storm.

    troll hair paintedStep 4: Coat with a durable plastic shell, put your shades on and paint it bright pink.

    Troll Doll Night ShotStep 5: It gets installed and you adventure out for a night picture.

    Tags: clear channel outdoors, dam dolls, giant troll, gonks, grand casino, hinckley, kewpie doll, leprocauns, mille lacs, minnesota, norfins, preston kelly, rogers, treasure dolls, troll doll, troll hair, troll toupee, troll wig, vadnais heights, wishniks
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  • 10-20-2011 / Surly Brewing Co. Darkness Day
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