We are Cina Associates
Photo credit: Noah Sahady
An independent creative forward agency specializing in brand identities, custom typefaces, and visual communication. Cina Associates collaborates with insightful clients both large and small.
As a boutique agency, we build our narratives based on the trifecta of imagination, curiosity, and thoughtful strategy. Our clients are the catalyst, our work the disruptor.
We've dedicated our lives to refining our craft. From building a foundation based on the history of visual communication to breaking the internet with trends in art and design, Cina Associates pairs essential fundamentals with fresh creativity.
We seek partnerships with brands that value design and look to lead their perspective markets through radical innovation and original thought. Contact us today to start the conversation.
As a boutique agency, we build our narratives based on the trifecta of imagination, curiosity, and thoughtful strategy. Our clients are the catalyst, our work the disruptor.
We've dedicated our lives to refining our craft. From building a foundation based on the history of visual communication to breaking the internet with trends in art and design, Cina Associates pairs essential fundamentals with fresh creativity.
We seek partnerships with brands that value design and look to lead their perspective markets through radical innovation and original thought. Contact us today to start the conversation.
Core Beliefs
We believe that what you say and do has a profound impact and we live accordingly. We believe that with humility and empathy, issues dissolve. We search for people who share these ideals and want to improve the earth we live in.
Ask us anything.
Public Type
2019 - ∞
Cina Associates
2010 - ∞
Associated
Typographics
2013 - 2018
YWFT
2001 - 2010
WWFT
2000 - 2006
Trueistrue
2000 - ∞
Test Pilot Collective
1997 - 2000
CinaHaus
1995 - 1997
Select Exhibits and Collaborations
-
2019 - ION Men’s Collaborative Sportswear Clothing Line
2018 - Bethel Solo Gallery show
2018 - Emmy Award with Scatter for VR documentary, Zero Days
2018 - Graphis Gold Metal with Young & Laramore for Upland Brewing
2018 - ION Women’s Collaborative Sportswear Clothing Line
2017 - “Design of Art. Art of Design” Bethel University Solo Show. Minneapolis, MN
2017 - AIGA National Convention Speaker. Minneapolis, MN
2017 - Reckoning Exhibit. Public Functionary Gallery. Minneapolis, MN
2017 - Breaking English - Rafiq Bhatia. St Paul Chamber Orchestra/Liquid Music. Walker Art Center. 45 Minute Video
2015 - OFFF Barcelona Solo Exhibit
2014 - She Who Saw The Deep. Public Functionary Gallery. Michael Cina and John Klukas. Minneapolis, MN
2013 - Akomplice Clothing Line
2012 - Stress exhibit
2012 - Ghostly International. Type Directors Club. New York, NY
2011 - Public Works Gallery. Chicago, IL
2010 - Art Votes. Minneapolis, MN
2010 - QR Code Show. Minneapolis, MN
2009 - Solo Art Exhibit at First Amendment Gallery. Minneapolis, MN
2008 - The Poster Show. Arizona
2008 - OFFF Gallery. New York, NY
2008 - TypeCon Poster Show. Buffalo, NY
2008 - OFF-REGISTER Exhibition
2008 - Back in Black Show
2007 - TypeCon Poster Show. Seattle, WA
2007 - Today's Art 2007. The Hague, Netherlands
2007 - MadinSpain
2006 - APMT2 Gallery. Tokyo, Japan
2006 - First Amendment Gallery, Too Much Posse. Minneapolis, MN
2006 - Today's Art 2006. The Hague, Netherlands
2005 - Poster Offensive Show. Minneapolis, MN
2005 - FITC Interactive Art. Toronto, Canada
2004 - Maxalot Gallery. The Netherlands
2004 - Poster Offensive Show. Minneapolis, MN
2003 - TypeCon Poster Show.
Minneapolis, MN
2003 - 55DSL Art Exhibit Show. New York, NY
2001 - American Museum of Digital Art. Earth
2000 - My City, São Paulo Museum of Art permanent collection. São Paulo, Brasil
1995 - Dark Portraits, Solo Art Exhibit of Lithographs. Denton, TX
-
2019 - ION Men’s Collaborative Sportswear Clothing Line
2018 - Bethel Solo Gallery show
2018 - Emmy Award with Scatter for VR documentary, Zero Days
2018 - Graphis Gold Metal with Young & Laramore for Upland Brewing
2018 - ION Women’s Collaborative Sportswear Clothing Line
2017 - “Design of Art. Art of Design” Bethel University Solo Show. Minneapolis, MN
2017 - AIGA National Convention Speaker. Minneapolis, MN
2017 - Reckoning Exhibit. Public Functionary Gallery. Minneapolis, MN
2017 - Breaking English - Rafiq Bhatia. St Paul Chamber Orchestra/Liquid Music. Walker Art Center. 45 Minute Video
2015 - OFFF Barcelona Solo Exhibit
2014 - She Who Saw The Deep. Public Functionary Gallery. Michael Cina and John Klukas. Minneapolis, MN
2013 - Akomplice Clothing Line
2012 - Stress exhibit
2012 - Ghostly International. Type Directors Club. New York, NY
2011 - Public Works Gallery. Chicago, IL
2010 - Art Votes. Minneapolis, MN
2010 - QR Code Show. Minneapolis, MN
2009 - Solo Art Exhibit at First Amendment Gallery. Minneapolis, MN
2008 - The Poster Show. Arizona
2008 - OFFF Gallery. New York, NY
2008 - TypeCon Poster Show. Buffalo, NY
2008 - OFF-REGISTER Exhibition
2008 - Back in Black Show
2007 - TypeCon Poster Show. Seattle, WA
2007 - Today's Art 2007. The Hague, Netherlands
2007 - MadinSpain
2006 - APMT2 Gallery. Tokyo, Japan
2006 - First Amendment Gallery, Too Much Posse. Minneapolis, MN
2006 - Today's Art 2006. The Hague, Netherlands
2005 - Poster Offensive Show. Minneapolis, MN
2005 - FITC Interactive Art. Toronto, Canada
2004 - Maxalot Gallery. The Netherlands
2004 - Poster Offensive Show. Minneapolis, MN
2003 - TypeCon Poster Show.
Minneapolis, MN
2003 - 55DSL Art Exhibit Show. New York, NY
2001 - American Museum of Digital Art. Earth
2000 - My City, São Paulo Museum of Art permanent collection. São Paulo, Brasil
1995 - Dark Portraits, Solo Art Exhibit of Lithographs. Denton, TX
Select Speaking and Writing
-
2018 - Atlanta Design Week. Atlanta, GA
2017 - AIGA National Conference. Minneapolis, MN
2017 - Bethel Gallery. Minneapolis, MN
2016 - Adobe “Creative Jam” Speaker. Minneapolis, MN
2015 - OFFF Barcelona Branding Workshop. Barcelona, Spain
2015 - VSCO Book Release. New York, NY
2014 - AIGA Nebraska. Omaha, NE
2012 - Type Directors Club. New York, NY
2011 - Louisville Graphic Design Association. Louisville, TN
2011 - AIGA/Public Works. Chicago, IL
2011 - Creative Review: Design finds a voice, but what does it have to say? Article
2010 - Flashbelt. Minneapolis, MN
2008 - OFFF. Spain
2008 - TypeCon. Buffalo, NY
2008 - MCAD. Minneapolis, MN
2 007 - OFFF. New York, NY
2006 - Grafik Magazine Essay
2006 - APMT2. Tokyo, Japan
2006 - OFFF. Barcelona, Spain
2005 - AIGA
2004 - MCAD. Minneapolis, MN
2004 - University of Minnesota. Duluth, MN
2004 - OFFF. Valencia, Spain
2004 - FITC. Toronto, Canada
2003 - BD4D. Atlanta, GA
2003 - University of Minnesota. Duluth, MN
2003 - MX on the Rocks. Denver, CO
2002 - X-Media. Florence, Italy
2002 - Profile-Intermedia 5. Germany
2002 - Pixel DNA, SMAU. Italy
2002 - MadreTTor.Rotterdam, Netherlands
2001 - Atlanta College of Art. Atlanta, GA
2001 - AIGA. Washington DC
2001 - Semi Permanent. Sidney, Australia
-
2018 - Atlanta Design Week. Atlanta, GA
2017 - AIGA National Conference. Minneapolis, MN
2017 - Bethel Gallery. Minneapolis, MN
2016 - Adobe “Creative Jam” Speaker. Minneapolis, MN
2015 - OFFF Barcelona Branding Workshop. Barcelona, Spain
2015 - VSCO Book Release. New York, NY
2014 - AIGA Nebraska. Omaha, NE
2012 - Type Directors Club. New York, NY
2011 - Louisville Graphic Design Association. Louisville, TN
2011 - AIGA/Public Works. Chicago, IL
2011 - Creative Review: Design finds a voice, but what does it have to say? Article
2010 - Flashbelt. Minneapolis, MN
2008 - OFFF. Spain
2008 - TypeCon. Buffalo, NY
2008 - MCAD. Minneapolis, MN
2 007 - OFFF. New York, NY
2006 - Grafik Magazine Essay
2006 - APMT2. Tokyo, Japan
2006 - OFFF. Barcelona, Spain
2005 - AIGA
2004 - MCAD. Minneapolis, MN
2004 - University of Minnesota. Duluth, MN
2004 - OFFF. Valencia, Spain
2004 - FITC. Toronto, Canada
2003 - BD4D. Atlanta, GA
2003 - University of Minnesota. Duluth, MN
2003 - MX on the Rocks. Denver, CO
2002 - X-Media. Florence, Italy
2002 - Profile-Intermedia 5. Germany
2002 - Pixel DNA, SMAU. Italy
2002 - MadreTTor.Rotterdam, Netherlands
2001 - Atlanta College of Art. Atlanta, GA
2001 - AIGA. Washington DC
2001 - Semi Permanent. Sidney, Australia
Publications and Video
-
2019 - Ficciones Typografika - 1642. Curated by Erik Brandt + Edited by Mark Gowing
2018 - Album Art: New Music Graphics by John Foster
2018 - Root and Star: Issue 7
2016 - Uppercase: Issue 29 Cover
2016 - Monocle: Entrepreneurs. Ghostly
2015 - The Great Discontent Magazine: Issue 2
2015 - Metropolis Magazine: The Game Changers Issue
2015 - NY Times: Ghostly Transcends Its Record Label Roots to Sell an Ethos
2015 - Michael Cina - A Century of Artifice: Ghostly International: 2008-2014
2014 - Do My Thing. Shigeto x Cina x VSCO
2014 - The Art of Tinkering Book
2014 - Melt
2014 - Filter/Gauge
2014 - The Great Discontent Feature
2013 - Blur Magazine: Issue 2
2012 - Geo/Graphics: Simple form Graphics in Print and Motion.
2012 - PBS - MNO. Video Feature
2012 - Desktop Magazine
2011 - Substrata 1.1
2011 - Only Creative Australia Feature
2011 - Gestalten TV. Video Feature
2010 - Digital Arts Magazine
2010 - Typo Lyrics: The Sound of Fonts by Gaertner, Harmsen, Weiß
2010 - Gopher Magazine
2010 - XLR8R Magazine Feature
2009 - Groove Magazine Feature
2009 - Quotation No. 5
2009 - Straight No Chaser Magazine
2009 - Work in Letterform Collected from Grafik Magazine
2009 - J People Magazine Feature
2009 - Relevant Magazine
2009 - Gopher Magazine Feature
2009 - Computer Arts
2009 - Notes on Design
2009 - iDN 15th Anniversary Book: What do you love?
2009 - Grain Edit Feature
2009 - Digital Abstracts Interview
2009 - Grafik Magazine: Issue 174
2009 - Computer Arts
2009 - Computerlove feature
2008 - Bastardised. Made in Bunch
2008 - Communication Arts
2009 - Design Smoke Interview
2008 - Vita.mn Magazine Feature
2008 - The Rake Magazine Feature
2008 - Fashonize 2 Book
2008 - Best of Disc Art 1 Book
2008 - One Show Interactive, Volume 10
2008 - Feature in iDN Magazine
2008 - Fresher Styles for Web Designers Book
2008 - IDN 15th Anniversary Feature
2007 - l'etoile Magazine
2007 - 1000 Journals Project Book
2007 - First Amendment Gallery, Beyond Recognition
2007 - OFFF Book
2007 - Poster-Art: Innovation in Poster Design Book
2007 - iDN Magazine Feature
2007 - Relevant Magazine Feature
2006 - Print and Production Finishes for CD and DVD Packaging Book
2006 - Adobe Design Center
2006 - iDN Magazine Feature
2006 - E Project 2 Book
2006 - Today's Art
2005 - BPM Magazine Feature
2005 - Computer Arts Feature
2005 - Relevant Magazine Feature
2005 - DVD-Art: Innovation in DVD Packaging Design Book
2004 - Dos Logos
2004 - Straight, No Chaser Magazine
2004 - Computer Arts Feature
2004 - Rethink Redesign Reconstruct Book
2003 - Computer Arts Feature
2003 - Shift Magazine, Japan
2003 - Taschen's 1000 Favorite Websites Book
2003 - Shift Magazine. Japan
2003 - Great Graphics on a Budget Book
2003 - Emigre Magazine #65
2003 - One Book
2003 - Emigre Magazine #64
2002 - Flash to the Core by Joshua Davis
2002 - 4x4 Book
2002 - Faesthetic #2
2002 - Main Feature in ZOO Magazine
2002 - Computer Arts Feature
2002 - Personal Web Sites Book
2002 - The FWA
2002 - Rojo Magazine. Luxe
2002 - Los Logos
2001 - Computer Arts Magazine Feature
2001 - Adobe Featured Profile
2001 - Flash Deconstruction
2001 - Fresh Styles for Web Designers Book by Curt Cloninger
2001 - New Masters of Photoshop Book, Editor and Feature
2000 - Arkitip Magazine #6 Feature
2000 - Web Design Index Book
1999 - Webworks: Typography Book
-
2019 - Ficciones Typografika - 1642. Curated by Erik Brandt + Edited by Mark Gowing
2018 - Album Art: New Music Graphics by John Foster
2018 - Root and Star: Issue 7
2016 - Uppercase: Issue 29 Cover
2016 - Monocle: Entrepreneurs. Ghostly
2015 - The Great Discontent Magazine: Issue 2
2015 - Metropolis Magazine: The Game Changers Issue
2015 - NY Times: Ghostly Transcends Its Record Label Roots to Sell an Ethos
2015 - Michael Cina - A Century of Artifice: Ghostly International: 2008-2014
2014 - Do My Thing. Shigeto x Cina x VSCO
2014 - The Art of Tinkering Book
2014 - Melt
2014 - Filter/Gauge
2014 - The Great Discontent Feature
2013 - Blur Magazine: Issue 2
2012 - Geo/Graphics: Simple form Graphics in Print and Motion.
2012 - PBS - MNO. Video Feature
2012 - Desktop Magazine
2011 - Substrata 1.1
2011 - Only Creative Australia Feature
2011 - Gestalten TV. Video Feature
2010 - Digital Arts Magazine
2010 - Typo Lyrics: The Sound of Fonts by Gaertner, Harmsen, Weiß
2010 - Gopher Magazine
2010 - XLR8R Magazine Feature
2009 - Groove Magazine Feature
2009 - Quotation No. 5
2009 - Straight No Chaser Magazine
2009 - Work in Letterform Collected from Grafik Magazine
2009 - J People Magazine Feature
2009 - Relevant Magazine
2009 - Gopher Magazine Feature
2009 - Computer Arts
2009 - Notes on Design
2009 - iDN 15th Anniversary Book: What do you love?
2009 - Grain Edit Feature
2009 - Digital Abstracts Interview
2009 - Grafik Magazine: Issue 174
2009 - Computer Arts
2009 - Computerlove feature
2008 - Bastardised. Made in Bunch
2008 - Communication Arts
2009 - Design Smoke Interview
2008 - Vita.mn Magazine Feature
2008 - The Rake Magazine Feature
2008 - Fashonize 2 Book
2008 - Best of Disc Art 1 Book
2008 - One Show Interactive, Volume 10
2008 - Feature in iDN Magazine
2008 - Fresher Styles for Web Designers Book
2008 - IDN 15th Anniversary Feature
2007 - l'etoile Magazine
2007 - 1000 Journals Project Book
2007 - First Amendment Gallery, Beyond Recognition
2007 - OFFF Book
2007 - Poster-Art: Innovation in Poster Design Book
2007 - iDN Magazine Feature
2007 - Relevant Magazine Feature
2006 - Print and Production Finishes for CD and DVD Packaging Book
2006 - Adobe Design Center
2006 - iDN Magazine Feature
2006 - E Project 2 Book
2006 - Today's Art
2005 - BPM Magazine Feature
2005 - Computer Arts Feature
2005 - Relevant Magazine Feature
2005 - DVD-Art: Innovation in DVD Packaging Design Book
2004 - Dos Logos
2004 - Straight, No Chaser Magazine
2004 - Computer Arts Feature
2004 - Rethink Redesign Reconstruct Book
2003 - Computer Arts Feature
2003 - Shift Magazine, Japan
2003 - Taschen's 1000 Favorite Websites Book
2003 - Shift Magazine. Japan
2003 - Great Graphics on a Budget Book
2003 - Emigre Magazine #65
2003 - One Book
2003 - Emigre Magazine #64
2002 - Flash to the Core by Joshua Davis
2002 - 4x4 Book
2002 - Faesthetic #2
2002 - Main Feature in ZOO Magazine
2002 - Computer Arts Feature
2002 - Personal Web Sites Book
2002 - The FWA
2002 - Rojo Magazine. Luxe
2002 - Los Logos
2001 - Computer Arts Magazine Feature
2001 - Adobe Featured Profile
2001 - Flash Deconstruction
2001 - Fresh Styles for Web Designers Book by Curt Cloninger
2001 - New Masters of Photoshop Book, Editor and Feature
2000 - Arkitip Magazine #6 Feature
2000 - Web Design Index Book
1999 - Webworks: Typography Book