ART DIRECTION

Real Blackity Talk

2022
Branding, identity, motion.

Aiza and Chris Cargnello reached out to me as they were working on a new show for CBC Gem called Real Blackity Talk. It’s a docu-talk show that shines a spotlight on the perspectives and experiences of Black women and non-binary Black folk in Canada, hosted by sisters Aiza and Kamana Ntibarikure. The subject matter is very real but the tone is fun and celebratory, and they wanted the brand identity to reflect it.
I was tasked with creating the visual branding for the show, including the logotype, both static and animated, the intro sequence and the motion graphics for the titles and everything else that moves throughout the episodes.

Graphic design, brand identity, motion design: Nik Brovkin
Written and produced by Aiza Ntibarikure and Kamana Ntibarikure
Executive producer and composer: Christopher "C The Reason" Cargnello
Editor: Chrris Lowe
DOP: Eniola Yussuff

The first episode of the series. Besides the animated logo, I created the intro sequence, transitions, animated backgrounds, lower thirds, and the end credits.

Some of the discarded versions.

All the font selections and patterns were done by me.

The final logotype.

Music Videos

2016 — PRESENT

Through the years, my most challenging and rewarding projects happened to be music videos for friends, and local and international artists. Below is a selection of some favourites.
My roles for each vary, though for many of them I got to craft the entire video from scratch. Unless otherwise stated, the credits for video/creative/art direction, editing, and videography are my own. I am grateful to all the artists who’ve entrusted their art to me.

Paul Cargnello — “Fascists In Our Midst”

Directed, shot (on iPhone 13 Mini) and edited by Nik Brovkin
Production assistance by Kṣānti

Paul Cargnello — “Protest Song”

Directed, shot (on iPhone 13 Mini) and edited by Nik Brovkin

Paul Cargnello — « Chansons d’amour »

Directed, shot (on iPhone 13 Mini) and edited by Nik Brovkin

Paul Cargnello — « J’suis là »

Directed, shot (on iPhone 13 Mini) and edited by Nik Brovkin
Production assistance by Kṣānti

KNLO — « Meilleur et mieux »

Art direction, graphic design,
motion design, generative art by Nik Brovkin

KNLO — « AMADIT »

Art direction, graphic design, motion design, video editing by Nik Brovkin

Green screen footage by Izzo Lo
Camera assistan: Papi Niang
Dancers: Jojo K, Mars (IzaFamily)

Paul Cargnello — “Promises”

Direction, art direction, video editing,
casting by Nik Brovkin

Videography and movement direction by Peña León
Choreography by Toshiro Kamara
Styling and clothing by Nadia Bunyan for Maison BLCKMSSN

Dominique Fils-Aimé — “Where There Is Smoke”

Direction, art direction, videography,
video editing, location scouting by Nik Brovkin

Styling by Venessa Appiah
Assisted by Laurence Gendron

Skinny Bros — “My Baby Go Fait Dodo”

Art direction, illustration,
animation, character design by Nik Brovkin

Small Talk — “Barrio Rich”

This is the single for a collaborative project called Small Talk that I created the music for. In this video, I was part creative director, part performer, and I made the beat.

Sarah MK

2022
Art direction, design.

My friend Sarah MK hired me to art direct and design the sleeve of her latest album called Wax and Gold. We worked in a team with our photograph, Vladim Vilain, and paper sculptor Pauline Loctin to create a colorful and rich look evoking Sarah’s background and the inspiration she found from her visit to Ethiopia. The mandate included a full 12” vinyl sleeve with a booklet insert, as well as digital artwork for some singles.

Creative direction, graphic design, illustration: Nik Brovkin
Client, music, model: Sarah MK
Art direction, paper sculptures: Pauline Loctin
Photraphy: Vladim Vilain

The main album cover. The patterns were custom made for the project.

Back of the vinyl art.

Judith&Charles

2021—2022
Art direction, design.

During my time at Judith&Charles I was the sole graphic designer in charge of art directing photo shoots, designing digital and print marketing materials, and maintaing the integrity of the brand identity in all touchpoints. Below are some of the highlights of my work there.

Art direction: Nik Brovkin
Photography: Mathieu Fortin
Model: Ali Morgan
Creative direction: Judy Richardson
Copy: Christina Clark

For social media assets, we strove to connect the inspiration behind each collection to the photography behind each shoot. We did so by sourcing furniture and props that evoked the spirit of the garments, and captured each collection in subtle but distinct ways.

My role in all the shoots was to ensure this intention is conveyed in each shot (and providing the musical backdrop to keep eveyone on the team engaged).

Newsletters were simple but allowed for a little play with typography.

Recent Work by Nik Brovkin

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