Papernapkin

Express an idea in six words. Sketch it on a paper napkin. I started my career teaching English and art. My work as an information designer is teaching, really, guiding people people through complex information and making it accessible, memorable, fun, even. Whether it’s a 20-year timeline of the cultural history of the Simpson’s, visual mnemonics for learning 1945 Japanese kanji, or the ease and simplicity of the humblest user registration form, I delight in making every user experience a joy. The name, papernapkin? It’s a litmus for a genuine idea. If you can’t express it on a paper napkin, no amount of Photoshop or Flash is going to save it. I'm currently at work on a six-box set of kanji flash cards called Kanji PictoCards. You can see samples and notes on how it's progressing at my blog, KanjiPictographix.com. While living in Japan, I wrote two award-winning illustrated books, Kanji PictoGraphix and Kana PictoGraphix. Returning to the States, I taught information design at Art Center and digital imaging at The American Film Institute. I’ve developed a niche in illustrated books and websites using visual mnemonics. FiftyStatesOfMind.com teaches geography (think of the boot of Italy concept), AtomFamilies.com turns the elements of the periodic table into human characters. Today I design logos, websites, UI, print work, identities, and packaging. Hire me for your next project. Send me an email or give me a call. Thanks.~Michael Rowley, Proprietor