NEWSLETTER 48
THIS IS OUR NEWSLETTER
THE POWER OF ART
As a graphic design company located within an art gallery, we’re surrounded by creativity—both in our physical space and in the work we do every day. Naturally, we each deeply value art and all it brings to our lives. Still, we’re often surprised by how art continues to reveal its impact with every new project or event.
Whether it's the joy on a client’s face as their brand comes to life, the energy of students sketching alongside us, the clever simplicity of a well-composed layout, or the insight we gain during public feedback sessions—art consistently reminds us of its powerful, symbiotic relationship with the human spirit.
Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to, and what lies ahead.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHT | 06.24
DESIGN THINKING AT WORK: PARTNERING WITH GOOD FAITH
In the summer of 2024, Marion Design Co. hosted a design thinking session with our partners at Good Faith—an initiative courageously tackling what we’d call a wicked problem: how can the Church create a meaningful, accessible way for families to grow in faith together, rooted in the Catholic Social Tradition? This was an exceptional Design Thinking session because it engaged over a dozen participants virtually, using various digital tools.
That session sparked more than just conversation. It launched a creative process that led to the recent development of new, tangible resources for families—materials that don’t just inform, but invite.
This isn’t just about designing print materials or launching a Bible study. It’s about shaping a new pathway—one that invites families into rhythms and practices they genuinely want to engage in. In our time together, we surfaced real needs, sparked new ideas, and started designing toward something better—something families can truly own.
GRANT COUNTY STUDENTS EDITION | 04.17.25
PICNIC ON THE PATIO
On the third Thursday of last month, we welcomed students from IWU, Taylor, and Ivy Tech into our kitchen for an affordable lunch and a community conversation. Students, professors, staff, and neighbors gathered to share their experiences of life in Marion—whether they’re here for a season or here to stay.
The conversations flowed easily, touching on everything from college and careers to art, hobbies, pets, and mutual friends—and just about everything in between. We loved connecting with everyone who came and especially enjoyed seeing the fantastic sketches created by Keith Lowe’s attending art class while they were in the space!
MINI MASTERCLASSES | 04.10.25
STORYTELLING WITH PHOTOGRAPHY
Our Chief Design Officer, Willie Smith, has many skills that he brings into work with him! He shared one of those skills with us and our attendees at the last Mini Masterclass: Storytelling with Photography. This class took us through a few basics of composition and setup for a good photo, but mostly it focused on the narrative that can be achieved through just a single snapshot. With our own handmade viewfinders in hand emblazoned with Dorothea Lange’s quote, “A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera.”, we explored different angles to shoot from, the lighting of our subjects, the depth of our chosen space, and more. Every decision made wasn’t only about the technical craftsmanship of the image created, but the story that came from it.
TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES | 04.22.25
PUBLIC ART INPUT SESSION
The Kennedy Art Center was honored to host our region’s Public Art Input Session, a collaborative event presented by Sharp Visionarts, Transform Consulting Group, and funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. The goal of this gathering was to collect community feedback to help shape a dynamic and forward-thinking arts and culture plan for our region.
The session was open to all—and we were thrilled to welcome local business owners, city council members, representatives from arts organizations, and engaged residents who simply care about the creative future of East Central Indiana. Much like a design thinking workshop, the event invited everyone to grab sticky notes and dive in—sharing stories, highlighting existing cultural assets, and envisioning what more could be possible.
We gathered an incredible volume of thoughtful input, which has been delivered directly to the partnering organizations. We’re told that the finalized plan and supporting data will be returned to our community soon—and we can’t wait to share it. With significant funding on the horizon, this feedback will directly influence how resources are allocated toward growth and revitalization of arts and culture initiatives throughout East Central Indiana.
MDC STORE | 05.05.25
MOTHER’S DAY SALE
Mother’s Day is tomorrow—still need a gift? We’ve got you covered (even if you are the mom). Whether you're shopping for a motherly figure you love or picking up something special for yourself, our shop is full of thoughtful finds: housewares, local art, jewelry, journals, greeting cards, bags, and more. There’s truly something for every kind of mom.
And here’s the sweet part: everything in the store is 25% off through the end of Mother’s Day, May 11th. Enter promocode MOTHERSDAY at checkout. Stop by during our open hours or shop online before the sale ends—because yes, moms deserve gifts they love, too.
