Brook is a Detroit-based artist inspired by the Motor City electronic music and automotive scene. He is an industrial designer specializing in automotive, fashion, and product design and an adjunct professor for the College of Creative Studies. Brook runs a small design studio in downtown Detroit called Middlecott alongside his wife, Judith. He is also the founder of Sketchbattle, a national design, sketching competition rooted in Detroit.
Artist Profile
MotorCity-based artist with a focus on Detroit optimism through transportation and mechanical themes
Art Milestones and Gallery Exhibitions
2024
- Sketchbattle JR, Newlab, Detroit - limited edition posters comissioned as prizes for future car designers sketching competition
- Dearborn Country Golf Club, Dearborn, MI: commissioned custom golf bag
2023
- Holland Area Arts Council, Carnival of the Arts, Holland, MI: Kustom Car Kultur, dedicated exhibit
- SharpieTM as an official sponsor
- Newlab, Detroit - weekend solo exhibition at Sketchbattle with NAIAS 2024
- Detroit Grand Prix Reception, the Bankle, Detroit: art showing with Camilo Pardo
- Valade Family Gallery, Detroit, three-month CCS Alumni Exhibition
2022
- the Auto Show, Detroit “A Group Exhibition of Auto-Themed Art”: “MVC MK1”
- Hour Detroit: feature MVC project with Mobsteel
- Autorama, Detroit: invited to create art publicly and auctioned for charity
- M1 Concourse, Pontiac: Launch of MVC, MotorCity Vice with Mobsteel for Lincoln's 100th anniversary
2021 - present
- Brook Banham Sidewalk Gallery, 6466 East Jefferson: permanent monthly rotating 3x piece exhibit
2021
- Mobsteel, Detroit: 2x interior workshop murals
- Started long-term art project: “Full-Size Car Portraits”
2020
- Corktown Studios Gallery, Detroit: One-month solo art show November 2019
2019
- Valade Family Gallery, Alfred Taubman Center: 3 months, transport design artworks x2
- Detroit Athletic Club (DAC): 3-month art exhibition in conjunction with the NAIAS
- Covenant House, Detroit, MI: 40’ Detroit Pride-themed mural
- Neighborhood Service Organization (NSO), Birmingham Golf Club, Birmingham: Art for charity fundraiser
2018
- Personal Summer project, E. Jefferson Ave, Detroit: 36’ x 12’, “313 Past Present Future”
- Cleary University, Brighton, MI: Art selected for charity auction
2017
- Secunda Museum, Cleary Uni. Brighton, MI: 30-day Art Exhibition
2016 - present
- Neighborhood Service Organization (NSO), Detroit: Art selected for charity auction
2016
- Champion Motor Raceway/ M1 Concourse, Pontiac: helped with a automotive-themed 500ft x 75 ft mural
2014 - present
- EyesOn Design, Edsel Ford House, Grosse Pointe Shores, MI - artwork Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology charity auctions
2013
- Prints Unlimited, Corcktown: first public showing, three large-scale posters
Design Profile
Brook is an accomplished Detroit-based artist and designer primarily specializing in front-end transportation and product concept design.
Professional Experience
Since graduating from Coventry University, UK in 2000, Brook has undertaken a number of projects for Fortune 500 companies. His first jobs as a freelance footwear designer were with Adidas, Fila Sport, and Puma Ag. After moving to San Francisco in 2004, he continued his freelance work as a product designer for Astro Studios, frog, and Ammunition Group on projects for HP, Nike, Motorola, Microsoft, Hot Wheels, and Sony Entertainment. In 2012, following his MFA Transport Design degree, he started his design consultancy, Middlecott Design, based in Downtown Detroit. Since its launch, Middlecott has worked with companies such as Daimler/ Benz, Volkswagen, Ford, GM, Delta Airlines, Hasbro/ Transformers, Axalta Coatings, and Federal-Mogul.
As the founder of a national live design sketching competition in 2012, the Middlecott Sketchbattle, based in Detroit has since expanded to LA, Las Vegas, NYC, Chicago, Monterey, CA, and San Francisco.
Sketchbattle JR is a version for youth ages 12 - 20. It is an in-person sketching workshop and competition mentored by professional auto and industrial designers.
Significant Publications/Presentations/Exhibitions
2019: 3 month exhibit, Detroit Athletic Club (DAC)
2018: Automobile Magazine feature, Sketchbattle
2018: Core77 interview, Sketchbattle
2017: Automobile Magazine feature, Sketchbattle
2017: Featured, EyeOn Design, NAIAS
2016: Delta Sky Magazine, cover and double-page spread
2015- present, EyesOn Design, Docent
2015: Mobsteel, Featured appearance, NBC’s “Detroit Steel"
2015: Jalopnik, featured article Sketchbattle
2014: History Channel, featured in “Mobsteel”
2012: GM/ CDN, Competition winner
2012: Carr Magazine, two double-page spreads
2011: Learning Curves, KEEOS Design Book, featured designs/ sketches.
2010: 3D Automotive Modeling, published 2x designs for two chapters
Core77 - “Ton-o-sketches”, feature Brook
2007: Car Design News, featured design for Motorstorm
2006: Time Magazine, Herman Miller concepts, Astro Studios
2005: Wired Magazine, NY Taxi Trust, designs, Pentagram Design
2005: Creative Review, NY Taxi Trust, designs, Pentagram Design
2004: Michelin Design Challenge, Detroit Auto Show
2003: MG World Magazine, Re-design MGB winner
2018: Automobile Magazine feature, Sketchbattle
2018: Core77 interview, Sketchbattle
2017: Automobile Magazine feature, Sketchbattle
2017: Featured, EyeOn Design, NAIAS
2016: Delta Sky Magazine, cover and double-page spread
2015- present, EyesOn Design, Docent
2015: Mobsteel, Featured appearance, NBC’s “Detroit Steel"
2015: Jalopnik, featured article Sketchbattle
2014: History Channel, featured in “Mobsteel”
2012: GM/ CDN, Competition winner
2012: Carr Magazine, two double-page spreads
2011: Learning Curves, KEEOS Design Book, featured designs/ sketches.
2010: 3D Automotive Modeling, published 2x designs for two chapters
Core77 - “Ton-o-sketches”, feature Brook
2007: Car Design News, featured design for Motorstorm
2006: Time Magazine, Herman Miller concepts, Astro Studios
2005: Wired Magazine, NY Taxi Trust, designs, Pentagram Design
2005: Creative Review, NY Taxi Trust, designs, Pentagram Design
2004: Michelin Design Challenge, Detroit Auto Show
2003: MG World Magazine, Re-design MGB winner