Welcome to the sixth installment of Frequent Flyers, a weekly column that highlights, documents and preserves the art behind music. This week, we feature artist Michael DeKay.

 

"Most of my ideas come from simple ideas with simple graphics," DeKay says. Most people look at a poster for just a split second while they walk by. I want to create something simple that will catch their eye and make them stop and see what this poster is all about."

 

DeKay starting designing right out of high school at a small printing shop in his hometown. After only nine months there, he realized designing was his passion.

 

"I thought is was crazy that people get paid to create things on the computer," he says. Wanting to be one of these people, he set out to learn as much as he could on his own, teaching himself and forgoing graphic design school. 

 

In 2010, DeKay and his wife, Kristin, created Image Made, a web and print design company based in Omaha. He says he loves designing gig posters, because it allows him such creative freedom.  He's designed more than 70 concert flyers for 1% Productions in the last five years. See some of his eye candy below.