Michael Grills

Michael has been making art, illustration and logos for design agencies, magazines, publishers, video directors, and video game makers from all over the world ever since 2000. Specialising in two-dimensional art Michael amplifies your concepts by simplifying, enhancing, and focusing on your unique messages. He is an expert at the Adobe Creative Suite, but his favourite software is Adobe Illustrator. He teaches illustration, video editing, motion graphics at the University of Calgary. He also mentors local, up and coming illustrators who want to know how to run their businesses. Michael Grills graduated from the Alberta College of Art and Design and went directly to Bioware Corp. in Edmonton, getting hands-on experience making AAA story driven RPG’s. When his first son was born, he decided to move back home to Calgary so that he could raise his family in his hometown among their relatives. He started independently illustrating and has enjoyed working as a production manager, art director, creative director and illustrator depending on what the project requires and how he fits into the team. Michael loves collaboration and big ideas. Seeing the need for Calgarians to keep more of their illustrators in town and to have them working together, Michael created Union Illustration CO. as a way to create more connections. He lives in Calgary with his wife, two children, and a gecko; and love’s bike riding, martial arts, kites, and camping. With Banff right out the back door, it’s no wonder he keeps the shop here.