Available to hire
I’m Ken Krekeler, a concept artist, illustrator, and designer based in Detroit. Over the years I’ve created hundreds of book covers, characters, portraits, and promotional visuals for automotive brands, publishing projects, and marketing campaigns. I thrive on turning client ideas into vibrant visuals that tell a story.
From leading production art for GM campaigns to collaborating on freelance comic books and promotional events, I blend traditional illustration with digital design to deliver polished assets fast. I’m passionate about storytelling through imagery and love helping teams translate concepts into compelling visuals.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
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Expert
Expert
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Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Language
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Conceptual Illustrator at Ken Krekeler Illustrations
February 1, 2018 - PresentAs a conceptual illustrator on multiple freelance platforms, designed hundreds of book covers, characters, portraits and comic book pages for clients across the country. Brought client visions to life and collaborated on comic book pitches, fiction and non-fiction book covers, animated sequences, and a wide range of stylized characters across many genres.
Conceptual Designer (Freelance) at ES3
December 1, 2009 - January 1, 2010Supervised the completion of more than 60 fully-rendered color conceptual pieces illustrating live promotional events; provided clients with stylistic options and incorporated feedback; developed a PSD folder-format enabling in-house directors to reverse-engineer last-minute alterations; fostered clear communication between art directors and project managers; clients included Fiat, Kia, and Dodge.
Digital Art Director at Team Detroit
March 1, 2010 - October 10, 2025Short-term contract focusing on the Bosch “Light ‘Em Up” campaign: designed storyboard sequences for homepage animation, assisted in asset and skin development for the Bosch iPhone app, and contributed to a professional, collaborative team environment; presented sequential information during team meetings.
Production Artist at MRM/McCann
May 30, 2010 - February 11, 2018Lead production artist on GM vehicle web campaigns; responsibilities included photo retouching, asset preparation, and web design; directed, wrote, animated, and storyboarded internal promotional videos; developed automated actions to streamline asset-management, enabling resizing/reformatting of hundreds of images.
Production Artist at MRM/McCann
January 1, 2017 - October 23, 2025Lead production artist on GM vehicle web campaigns, including photo retouching, asset preparation, and web design. Directed, wrote, animated, and storyboarded internal promotional videos. Automated asset-management workflows, resizing and reformatting hundreds of images in record time. Clients: Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, General Mills.
Conceptual Illustrator at Ken Krekeler Illustrations
February 1, 2018 - PresentConceptual illustrator on multiple freelance platforms, designing hundreds of book covers, characters, portraits and comic book pages for clients nationwide. Collaborated on comic book pitch projects, fiction and non-fiction book covers, animated sequences, and a wide range of stylized characters across genres.
Conceptual Designer (Freelance) at ES3
January 31, 2011 - October 23, 2025Supervised the completion of more than 60 fully-rendered color conceptual art pieces for live promotional events; collaborated with clients on stylistic options, incorporating feedback; developed a user-friendly PSD-folder format enabling reverse-engineering of last-minute alterations; fostered open communication between art directors and project managers. Clients: Fiat, Kia, Dodge.
Digital Art Director (Short-Term Contract) at Team Detroit
March 31, 2010 - October 23, 2025Contributed to the Bosch 'Light Em Up' campaign by designing storyboard sequences for homepage animation; assisted in asset/skins development for the 'Light Em Up' iPhone app; demonstrated ability to work within a professional team and translate creative critique into constructive results.
Production Artist at MRM/McCann
May 1, 2017 - May 1, 2017Lead production artist on GM vehicle web campaigns; photo retouching, asset preparation, and web design. Directed, wrote, animated and storyboarded internal promotional videos. Developed automated actions to streamline asset-management, resizing/reformatting hundreds of images. Clients: Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, General Mills.
Conceptual Illustrator at Ken Krekeler Illustrations
February 1, 2018 - October 28, 2025Designed hundreds of book covers, characters, portraits and comic book pages for clients nationwide; collaborated on comic book pitches, fiction and non-fiction book covers, animated sequences and stylized characters across genres.
Conceptual Designer (freelance) at ES3
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2011Supervised completion of more than 60 fully-rendered color conceptual art pieces for live promotional events; engaged with clients for stylistic options, incorporated feedback; developed a PSD-folder workflow enabling reverse-engineering last-minute alterations; fostered open communication between art directors and project managers.
Digital Art Director at Team Detroit
March 1, 2010 - March 1, 2010Contributed to launch of Bosch 'Light ‘Em Up' campaign by designing storyboard sequences for homepage animation; assisted in development of assets and skins for the 'Light Em Up' iPhone app; collaborated with team and presented information in meetings.
Production Artist at MRM/McCann
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2017Lead production artist on GM vehicle web campaigns; responsibilities included photo retouching, asset preparation, and web design. Directed, wrote, animated, and storyboarded internal promotional videos. Developed automated actions to streamline asset-management, enabling resizing/reformatting of hundreds of images rapidly.
Conceptual Illustrator at Ken Krekeler Illustrations
February 1, 2018 - November 5, 2025As a conceptual illustrator on freelance platforms, designed hundreds of book covers, characters, portraits and comic book pages for clients nationwide. Collaborated on comic book pitches, fiction and non-fiction book covers, animated sequences, and stylized characters across genres.
Digital Art Director (short-term contract) at Team Detroit
March 1, 2010 - March 1, 2010Contributed to the Bosch 'Light Em Up' campaign by designing storyboard sequences for homepage animation; assisted in asset and skin development for the 'Light Em Up' iPhone app; demonstrated teamwork and the ability to incorporate feedback effectively; presented sequential information in team meetings.
Education
Bachelor in Fine Arts at College for Creative Studies
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2009Bachelor in Fine Arts at College for Creative Studies
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2009Bachelor of Fine Arts at College for Creative Studies
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2009Bachelor of Fine Arts at College for Creative Studies
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2009Qualifications
Goldwasser competition for Excellence in Writing
January 1, 2006 - May 11, 2009Goldwasser Competition: Excellence in Writing (First Place)
January 1, 2009 - October 28, 2025Industry Experience
Media & Entertainment, Software & Internet, Professional Services, Manufacturing, Consumer Goods, Retail
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