​During our group conversation today, I came to the conclusion that not only do I want to interview graphic designers, who have done design work for local businesses, but I would also like to hear from local business owners about how they feel the graphic design work is important for their business. I will be reaching out to a few local favorites, that I feel have successful design, to see if they will be willing to answer a couple questions for my article. 

I already have a couple designers who agreed to let me interview them, and these are the questions I have formulated so far-

For Designers:

1. What local business/businesses have you done design work for?
2. What was the inspiration for the design?
3. How do you think this design fits into the community?
4. How does the design set itself apart from other local businesses?
5. Do you think Identity design has anything to do with the success of the business, and why?

For Local Business Owners:

1. Who did graphic design work for your business?
2. Do you feel like the design captures the feeling of your brand, and how so?
3. Do you think that your business fits into the community of Milwaukee and, and how so?
4. How do you think your business stands out among others?
5. Do you think Identity design has anything to do with the success of the business, and why?

​Todd coming into our class and talking about his process for writing his articles really helped me more clearly understand how I want to go about my own article. Todd is a very detail oriented person, and it shows in everything that he does. Including his process of researching his topics. He really goes the extra mile to gain a deeper understanding of what he is writing about.

For my research article so far, things are progressing. I am talking to a current MIAD student who recently became the art director for a local brewery in Milwaukee, and I am still shaping questions for an interview with her. I also have plans to reach out to another MIAD alumni that I know works at a local Branding/Advertising agency based in Bayview (that I previously mentioned in my analysis of Professional websites) They have done plenty of identity design for local businesses in Milwaukee like Belair & Fixture Pizza for example.

Current Thinking on Article:
​
Currently I am still thinking that I want to explore Local Businesses in Milwaukee, in which their design and branding has also been locally sourced. I would love to interview some graphic designers from local agencies (possibly including some MIAD students/alumni that work at these agencies.) I want to ask about what may have inspired them, and how they think that the design fits within the community of Milwaukee. I already am familiar with a few agencies that have done design work for a lot of local restaurants / little shops around town. 

I plan on researching a bit more about local businesses here in Milwaukee, and what they may have in common, what people like about them, and why they are successful. And I have a feeling the identity design and branding done for them will have a big part in that.

​1. Rev Pop Branding/Advertising agency based in Bayview- https://revpop.com/work/

• The layout is very clean
• The copy written for everything has a very personal tone of voice, which makes them feel very relatable
• Really captivating images used for the thumbnails
• Under the "Studio" section, it states exactly what they do and what their process is
• Their unique style is clearly displayed on the website

2. Todd Mrozinski- http://toddmrozinski.com/

• Very simple
• Easy to navigate through each category
• Shows how much experience he has which is A LOT
• I like that you can click on the photos of his work and view it larger
• He is very detailed not only in his work, but also in his writing

​The New York Times did an article called "36 Hours in Milwaukee." The general consensus on Milwaukee is that it is a "small town in big city clothing, where bobble heads, ice-cream cocktails, and Frank Lloyd Wright are on your weekend itinerary." 

The small town in big city clothing remark definitely fits with the amount of small local business that make Milwaukee unique. Which is what I would like to write about for my research article, focusing on the identity design done for them. People love to support local businesses here! After all, it’s the responsible, community-driven thing to do that improves not only the city we live in but the lives of the people who live in it too. Some of the favorites that I found on https://localfirstmilwaukee.com/ include places like Beans & Barley, Colectivo, Lakefront Brewery, and Outpost Natural Foods.

Introduction:

Hello! My name is Celine Everson and I am currently approaching the finale to my journey at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. As a fourth year student, I am pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Design as well as a minor in Interior Architecture. I feel passionate about the psychology of design, and the way people experience it. Some things that inspire me and my work are music, nature, travel, equality, and sustainability. 

I wish that I had a closer relationship with writing than I currently do. I enjoy writing a lot more than speaking. I feel that I can stop to think for a moment about what I want to say, rather than just bombarding people with my initial thoughts and word vomit. I want to be taken seriously as a professional and I know that better writing skills are important for effectively communicating my ideas.

I am hoping that this class brings me a better understanding of the culture of design that exists here in Milwaukee today. I am eager to speak with the individuals that live among me, and have an impact on myself and the community of art and design.