Michael K. Lyman is a creative director, educator, and multidisciplinary artist based in the Tampa Bay area. Through Magnum Arts, he brings together art instruction, design, photography, and storytelling with a focus on clarity, creativity, and real-world application.
His work spans classrooms, community programs, and professional creative projects—always centered on helping others see, create, and communicate more effectively.
Education and teaching
Education and teaching have been central to Michael Lyman’s work throughout his career. Across classrooms, community programs, and nontraditional settings, he has used art not just as a skill, but as a tool for communication, confidence, and personal expression. His approach focuses on helping students think creatively, solve problems visually, and develop their own unique voice.
He has also independently created several education online courses and classes, including multi-video programs that teach students about photography and graphic novel creation. Watch a promotional video describing the How To Create Your Own Graphic Novel course.
Participation in educational events such as workshops, comic-cons, summer camps and private lessons, in which the goal is judgement-free creativity, not perfection
Online independently produced video courses that educate in an entertaining, simplified manner that reduces complexity and eases learning
Classroom instruction in drawing, creativity and photography since 2008 at the Morean Arts Center to certified middle school art teacher in Pinellas County
the 501st legion
The 501st Legion is a global Star Wars costuming organization with chapters around the world. A member of the Tampa Bay Squad since 2007, Michael Lyman has helped organize and participate in high-profile charity and public events, including annual visits to All Children’s Hospital, appearances at VA hospitals honoring veterans, and Star Wars Nights at the Forum in Tampa, which brought together more than forty costumed members and handlers.
He has also appeared on live television numerous times to promote Legion events and participated in parades, media appearances, and major public events, including Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando. Watch a short documentary about Michael’s organization of the annual visits to All Children’s Hospital.
Television appearances and interviews to promote Legion events (above: TV interview for the annual Night AT the Museum events, Tampa Bay History Center)
Management of high-profile events involving large numbers of costumed characters, many involving TV appearances (above: live television appearance during a Storm football game at the Forum in Tampa)
Participation in many parades, events and festivals, interacting with the public (above: leading a squad of Imperial Stormtroopers through Disney’s Hollywood Studios during Star Wars Weekends)
graphic design
Graphic design is where creativity meets communication. Michael Lyman’s work focuses on translating ideas into clear, visually compelling solutions—whether through logos, promotional materials, or narrative-driven projects like graphic novels. His approach combines strong design fundamentals with a focus on clarity, purpose, and visual impact.
Concept illustrations and web graphics for a variety of applications and purposes (above: promotional image for a local car show)
Logo design and technical diagrams to reduce complexity of processes and systems (above: logo created for the No Limits Digital Drawing program)
Comics, original illustrations and graphic novels, both pen-and-ink and digital (above: panel from his self-published graphic novel Dark Office)
Photography
Photography has been a constant thread in Michael Lyman’s creative life since high school. His work spans event, documentary, and travel photography, with a focus on capturing authentic moments and telling visual stories. Whether documenting real-world experiences or exploring new environments, his approach combines technical skill with a strong sense of timing, composition, and narrative.
Event photography (above: photo of the 501st Legion’s appearance during a Weird Al concert, as shot from back stage)
Travel photography (above: long exposure of Grand Central Terminal, Manhattan, photographed with colored polarizing filter)
Documentary photography (above: volunteers push to free a sailboat from the beach in Gulfport)
The roadside notebook
The Roadside Notebook is a mobile-friendly visual journal designed to capture and share overlooked places, roadside oddities, and moments that most people pass by without noticing. Created as both a creative outlet and a demonstration of clean, engaging web design, the site blends photography, storytelling, and intuitive navigation into a simple, immersive experience.
It’s built for curious travelers, visual thinkers, and anyone who appreciates the quiet details of the journey—while also serving as a live portfolio piece that showcases how thoughtful design can turn raw content into something compelling and easy to explore.
