Michael Novak was born in Los Angeles, and lived in New York City for ten years before moving to Portland in 2007—officially placing him in the category of “person most despised by native-born Portlanders.” Over a 20-year career, he’s been an editorial Art Director at Time Warner and Portland Monthly, as well as an illustrator, designer, animator, and storyboard artist.

The highlight of Mike’s brief animation career was a year-long stint as a character layout animator on the Fox show King of The Hill, before he decided that drawing Hank Hill all day long was pretty damn boring. After the act of sitting at home waiting for the phone to ring put the kibosh on his freelance illustration career, he discovered design, which he loves.

His duties at Portland Monthly consist of making the magazine look and read awesomely, by designing covers, features, and pretty much anything else. In his free time he likes to sleep.

Mudroom

Pinot Partners

NW wines score some attention from Hong Kong

07/15/2010 By Kasey Cordell

Mudroom

The Perfect Party

People we’d most like at our dinner table this month

07/15/2010

Mudroom

ID-ing P-town

Portland searches for a future in industrial design.

07/02/2010 By Christian DeBenedetti

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The Perfect Party

People we’d most like at our dinner table this month

06/16/2010

Mudroom

On a Wheel and a Prayer

Portland and Pope Pius XII team up to protect Oregon's bicyclists in a whole new way with Portland's new Bicycle Shrine, honoring the patron saint of cycling, the Madonna del Ghisallo.

06/10/2010 By Kasey Cordell

Mudroom

Electric Avenue

As the electric car industry revs up its engine, Portland looks poised to lead the charge.

06/10/2010 By Zach Dundas

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A Good Paddlin’

Call Ping-Pong a fad. Just not in Portland.

05/17/2010 By Phil Busse

Vote Watch

Primary Primer

04/23/2010 By Randy Gragg

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City Sicker

Living in the burbs is better for your health

04/20/2010 By Kasey Cordell

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Spider Bytes

A new breed of arachnids feels the vibe on Mount St. Helens

04/20/2010 With Brian Barker

Editor’s Note

Rearview Mirror

Save the Oregon Historical Society

04/15/2010 By Randy Gragg

The Mudroom

Perfect Pairings

Favorite restaurant full? No sweat. These four bars let you slake while you wait.

03/15/2010 By Kasey Cordell, Rachel Ritchie, Amber Villa-Zang, and Avz

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Cash Crop

As the city’s economic development efforts rise and fall, the Portland Farmers Market continues to grow.

02/16/2010 By Mike Thelin

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Eco-Erotica

Love yourself and your planet with sustainable sex toys.

01/19/2010 By Meghan Hilliard

Mudroom

Chasing the Wind

Two local turbine manufacturers face off to harness the breeze.

01/19/2010 By Rachel Ritchie

Feature

Mt. Hood

From Peak to Valley: An Insider’s Guide

11/09/2009 By Kasey Cordell, Christopher Van Tilburg, Rachel Ritchie, and Kelly O'Connor Edited by Brian Barker

RIP CITY

Game On!

We look at five members of the reinvented and reimagined Portland Trail Blazers who are ready to answer the call of "Rip City" and lead the team to their ultimate mission: a world title.

10/09/2009 By Benjamin Golliver