Marion Design Co.

Meet the 2021 Team.

Our creative leaders and interns are the heartbeat of Marion Design Co. This year is one of immense growth for our downtown and for us. We have a fantastic team this Fall of four students and one designer, who are collaborating fiercely on community projects.

Wendy Puffer
Co-Founder & Chief Design Officer

Wendy Puffer is a social designer and registered interior designer whose career is grounded in the belief that design can change people's lives. She is passionate about teaching students the importance of faith integration as designers. Her knowledge of the field of design and passion for working with college students is grounded in over 17 years experience conducting her own design business and 34 years training and instructing undergraduates.

The communication of what is seen and unseen (future design possibilities) is what energizes possibilities and new methods of functioning. When designing, whether it be in the context of environmental design, spatial planning, work or family interaction, way-finding, interior design, graphics, or the multiple other platforms of design, Wendy is thinking of people through every stage of inspiration, ideation, and implementation.

Wendy's reason for creating stems from how she views design as a way to serve people. Wendy revels in a healthy balance of good design and personal preference supported by a fulcrum of truth. She has experience working collaboratively with clients on projects ranging from community design to interior design and regularly involves students and graduates in design projects.

Peter Troutner
Chief Creative Officer & Creative Director

Peter Troutner is a graphic designer who grew up in Columbus Ohio. Upon coming to college at Indiana Wesleyan University he quickly learned the value of place and community here in Marion. He first joined the Marion Design Co team as an intern where he experiences the ability Design has to change perspectives and influence change. He has worked with many local non-profits and businesses on identity projects.

Ever since graduating Peter has made Marion his home, taking walks downtown, writing poetry along the Riverwalk, and joining the board of Main Street Marion where he serves as President of the board.

Peter creates out of a method of research combined with trying to present wherever he is. This desire for presence spawns ideas and allows him to see the beautiful moments in small interactions and gain insight from looking at things in a new way. He believes wholeheartedly in the beauty of our downtown community and hopes you will jump in and engage in all that Marion has to offer.

Jenna Beemer
Designer

Jenna is a designer from Norton Shores, MI, and previously worked as an intern from 2018-2020. She loves that design has the power to inspire, pose new possibilities, and create a vision for the future. Jenna finds motivation through designing for other people and seeing how their lives are impacted by creativity. When she is not designing, she enjoys traveling, weaving, sewing, and exploring art museums and libraries. In Marion, she enjoys walking on the Riverwalk and traveling by scooter. This year, she is excited to bring the community together through creativity and innovation!

Isabel Bostick
Copywriting Intern

Isabel is a copywriting intern from Brownsburg, IN, and was an intern in the Summer 2021 cohort. She believes that words are fundamentally empowering, and she loves the way writing celebrates our individual and collective stories. When she isn’t writing, you might find Isabel enjoying a walk outside, playing board games with family, or laughing with her friends. Her favorite spot in Marion is Matter Park, especially when the flowers are in full bloom. This semester, she is excited to continue working alongside the Marion community through writing, building relationships by sharing stories.

Mark Fisk
Graphic Design Intern

Mark is a graphic design intern from Fishers, IN, and previously interned with MDCO from 2019-2020. He designs out of a love for visuals and hopes to better the world through that passion. In his free time, Mark enjoys playing basketball, tossing a frisbee, taking walks, listening to music, reading, and researching. When in Marion, you might find him in Sender Cafe. This semester, he is looking forward to working alongside an incredible cohort, growing as a designer, and ultimately serving the Marion community.

Jessica Moore
Placemaking Design Intern

Jessica is a placemaking intern from New Haven, IN, and was an intern during Summer ‘21. She loves placemaking design because she loves spaces and people. Through placemaking, she finds she is able to meet the needs of others through her own creative expression, building relationships alongside her art. In her free time, she enjoys going to farmer’s markets, attending concerts, and kayaking with friends. Jessica’s favorite place in Marion is also our current studio, the Jay House. This fall, she is excited to work on creating events for the community, alongside the community.

Anna Rodman
Videography Intern

Anna is a videography intern from Peoria, IL, and is a student at Taylor University. She creates films out of a love for using her creative gifts to make others happy. Anna loves being able to spread her joy through her art. In her free time, she enjoys working out, dancing, and writing music. When she’s in Marion, you might find her drinking coffee at the Abbey. This semester, Anna is excited to work with a group of people she wouldn’t have the opportunity to work with apart from MDCO.

Isabel Bostick
Copywriting Intern

Isabel is a curious writer who finds beauty in the complexity of words and firmly believes language can empower people and build community. She values story and the way language has a relationship with us, growing with each person as their story unfolds. Other than writing, Isabel enjoys reading outside, hand lettering, and playing board games with her friends and family. Her favorite spot in Marion is Matter Park, specifically in the Sunflower Garden. Her hopes for this summer are to observe and use writing in a way that empowers communities.

Audra Frieden
Design and Placemaking Intern

Audra is a graphic and placemaking designer who seeks to empower others through creativity. Human connection motivates her work, and she sees design as a way to connect people to each other, as well as connect people to the tools they need to be successful. Audra enjoys running, illustrating, and hanging out with friends. She loves the architecture found throughout downtown Marion, and the windows along Washington St. spark her imagination for what could be in every corner of Marion. At Marion Design Co, she is excited to work alongside her fellow interns as she applies design theories to the real world.

Mattea Fry
Design Intern

Mattea is a relationship-focused graphic designer with a passion for welcoming the viewer into all that she creates. She believes design should embrace the viewer and she prioritizes their experience throughout her creative process. When she is not busy designing, you might find Mattea riding on her penny board and admiring the great outdoors. Her favorite spot in Marion is The Abbey Coffee Co., where she loves to simply sit with friends and take in the relaxed atmosphere. This summer, she is excited to explore new areas of design and community in Marion.

Hannah Gjertson
Copywriting and Design Intern

Hannah is both a designer and a writer because she is passionate about storytelling. Her goal in design is to tell stories in a way that can be heard and provokes people to listen. Hannah enjoys rock climbing, reading, and cooking. One of her favorite things to do in Marion is enjoying breakfast at the Country Cafe downtown. Hannah is excited to be in Marion for the summer, growing more connected with the Marion community, building relationships with the cohort, and doing work with a direct impact.

Jessica Moore
Placemaking Intern

Jessica is a joyful, placemaking designer with the primary goal of loving people well. She hopes to use design to bring people together and build bold communities. Beyond placemaking, Jessica enjoys going to restaurants with friends, having picnics at the park, and painting. Her favorite place in Marion is a spot alongside the Mississinewa River in Riverside Park where she likes to sit and relax. This summer, Jessica is looking forward to getting to know the Marion community and using placemaking to become a part of the community.

Jared Strand
Placemaking Intern

Jared is a passionate placemaking designer driven by the potential for design to revitalize communities, and especially Marion. In his free time, Jared enjoys hiking and camping, thrifting and antiquing, and listening to live music. Having grown up in Marion, he has many local favorites including the river, the downtown square, and Matter Park. Jared is looking forward to working with Marion Design Co in general, and is eager to use his design skills within his own city.

Michelle Bonilla
Placemaking Intern

Michelle is a returning placemaking intern and helps run our social media. She is super passionate about sustainability and helping communities flourish through design. Being able to sit and listen to stories of the community around her is one of her favorite parts of the work she does. Along with her placemaking work, Michelle loves music, anything about sharks, and is a big fan of IWU basketball.