Andy Tyra

Graphic Design
Illustration
Web Development
Beverage Labels & Cartons
Friendly Service

  • An artist and graphic designer based in northern Michigan.

    I've been a creator all my life. I've always loved to draw. I attended Saginaw Valley State University and received a B.A. in Graphic Design (with a minor in English), then moved to northern Michigan where I started a career in web development and design with my colleague Jon Roth on January 1, 2000. He and I still work together today.

    A lot of experiences filled the intervening years. Most important was marrying my lovely and talented wife Emily Betz Tyra. We moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for nearly a decade and then moved back to northern Michigan again. I've worked with all manner of clients and expanded the boundaries of what I thought I could do. I've found more room for illustration in my design projects and that has brought me great joy. I can respond to most design challenges with at least a respectable attempt — and sometimes my work is pretty good.

    My goal as a designer is to provide a little surprise, however nuanced, that makes something stand out from the noise. It's got to be a good surprise, nothing too shocking. If possible I like to tell a story even if it's a very short one. It's a bonus if I can make someone laugh. I care about doing the work well and keeping it fun.

    Let's talk about your project. Email me at andy.tyra.design@gmail.com

  • I am co-owner at Bright Bridge Studios, LLC, a group of creative web professionals based in Traverse City, Michigan. We build all kinds of websites and web apps.

    More about Bright Bridge Studios

  • The Michigan Legacy Art Park in Thompsonville, Michigan (on the campus of Crystal Mountain Resort) wanted to reimagine some of their education materials. I collaborated with creative dream team Chris Loud, Joe Beyer and Madeline Saucedo to create the Look & Learn: A Field Guide for the Curious. It gave me a chance to illustrate all kinds of plants, animals, airplanes and fungi which I found very fun and inspiring.

    Check out the Field Guide
  • I worked with Right Brain Brewery in Traverse City, Michigan for several years on a full range of design projects starting with a logo redesign and continuing through label and carton design for Right Brain's fine beverages. I'm very thankful that my illustrations became part of the Right Brain legacy. I'm also thankful for the crash course in product label design that led me where I am today.

  • Milwaukee Record is an an outlet for "music, culture, gentle sarcasm" aimed at Milwaukeeans and Milwaukee enthusiasts. I find their writing to be suitably wry and their music recommendations to be adequate. They sometimes let me to design gig posters, merch and other things and it's one of my favorite things to do.

  • Let's talk about your project.

    Email me at
    andy.tyra.design@gmail.com

    Follow me on Instagram

Background photo by Taylor Van Riper. Everything else © Andrew Tyra.