Have you ever gazed at a craft beer label and wondered about the creative genius behind it? Those captivating illustrations tell much about the brewery, its hometown, and the beer itself.
But what about the artist crafting the label?
Let’s sit down and chat with Adam Miller, a Baltimore-based artist brewing creativity—one label at a time.
Miller’s artistic journey began in childhood when, like many artists, he drew constantly. He loved MAD Magazine and skateboard graphic artists like Jim Phillips and Vernon Courtlandt Johnson. “I remember my father doing these killer Rat Fink-style hot rod cartoons […] I will never forget the day I found his old sketchbooks in the basement and realized what a badass artist he was!”
In 1998, Miller earned a BFA in Illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design. After graduating, he landed a job managing a Lacrosse Retailer/Wholesaler’s advertising and marketing department. During this time, he worked on branded merchandise, custom uniforms, and apparel while adding a dose of business sense to his artistic palette. Miller says, “I spent 20-plus years in custom and licensed apparel before going full-time freelance at the beginning of 2023.”
Checkerspot Brewing Company, located in the Carroll-Camden Industrial Area, was opened in 2018 by Judy and Rob Neff; as a close friend of the couple, he first created Checkerspot’s brand and identity and then jumped into label design. “They trust me to do pretty much whatever I want artistically once we collaboratively brainstorm the direction of each beer’s release,” Miller explains, “I feel like the craft beer scene is a wide-open space for creativity; it’s the new gig poster space,” which Miller has been part of for years, creating “tons” of gig posters for his bands and other bands in the region.
The labels Miller crafts aren’t just designs; they’re visual stories that capture the spirit of each beer, making them integral to the craft beer experience.
Baltimore isn’t just a backdrop for Miller’s work; it’s a vital part. With a family history tied to Bethlehem Steel, the city’s manufacturing heritage resonates with him. Miller says about his hometown, “Baltimore invented the Linotype machine, fostering literacy worldwide, and it boasts a rich brewing history that fuels creativity […] I’m influenced by the city’s history of manufacturing and making things.”
“Working with Checkerspot from the ground up has been fantastic,” says Miller. His next steps include expanding his client roster with more extensive projects for high-profile clients despite already having a few under his belt, including The Rolling Stones and The Office. “I’m just really grateful to carve out a spot to have an ongoing and expanding career drawing pictures and creating for a living. You definitely do not have to be a starving artist.”
Check out Miller’s portfolio and give him a follow on Instagram.
