NEWSLETTER 50
THIS IS OUR NEWSLETTER
EMOTION IS HUMAN
Have you ever thought that the most human thing we do is express emotion? In an age of emerging AI, we’re reminded of why we love working with people—because people are fascinating, full of complexity, and able to move our souls in ways no machine ever could. You’ve been in a room where one person’s tears spark a wave of tears, or where laughter becomes contagious. Has AI ever laughed with you? If it has, it probably sounded... unsettling.
This month, our work has been soaked in emotion—in the best way. From the confidence a well-designed website can inspire, to design thinking practices rooted in empathy, to a gallery exhibit that stirred up anger, sadness, and hope all at once—this newsletter captures stories wrapped in deeply human expression. We hope you feel inspired as you read it!
And, as a P.S.- This is our 50th Newsletter! Thank you so much for following along with us this far. That, too, is a human act we are grateful for.
Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to, and what lies ahead.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHT | 02.05.25
LARK’S SONG WEBPAGE DESIGN
Using Lark’s Song’s existing brand standards and graphic assets, we got to redesign the site structure and top-level pages using Squarespace’s latest Fluid Engine updates for 7.1. We’re so grateful to be able to continue to work with organizations like Lark’s Song that focus on the well-being of everyone in our community.
Feel free to visit their updated website and learn more about the great services they are offering in Well-being Education, Certified Coach Training, and Culture Care. Back in 2020, Lark’s Song shared their facilities with Marion Design Co. when we moved out of the Salin Bank building, before work on the Kennedy Art Center began. Now, we’re right across the street from each other in downtown Marion, Indiana! It’s a joy to continue to collaborate on projects with the community together.
COPENHAGEN KAOSPILOT TRAINING | 06.15.25
COPENHAGEN
What does it mean to design for emotion? That was the very first question posed to Wendy—and to our colleague, client, and friend Dr. Amanda Drury—during an immersive Kaospilot training in Copenhagen.
Kaospilot’s philosophy is rooted in a beautifully simple framework: Head—to inspire understanding, Heart—to connect through emotion, and Hand—to learn by doing. As Wendy reflected on Marion Design Co.’s design thinking approach through this lens, she was reminded of the very human moments we so often witness with our clients—when a story surfaces a new insight, or when a surprising data point unlocks a powerful aha moment. These aren’t just breakthroughs in strategy—they're emotional milestones that move people forward.
Her time in Copenhagen is sparking fresh ideas for how we guide problem discovery and creative ideation in future design thinking sessions. And of course, inspiration wasn’t limited to the classroom. With cappuccinos in hand, museum visits, and conversations with architects during Copenhagen’s 3 Days of Design, Wendy soaked in a city built on thoughtful design—made even more meaningful by sharing the experience with her son Ben, a graphic designer living in NYC.
MDC WOMEN ATTEND BLOOM | 06.26.25
BLOOM
Towards the end of the month, Wendy, Misty, and Savannah attended Bloom, a partnership event between United Way of Grant County and Greater Grant County to inspire, equip, and connect female leaders from all walks of life. For the past two years, Marion Design Co. has been able to put on different facets of the event, but this year we were able to sit back and enjoy and support all that the amazing speakers and organizations had to share - which was a lot! The day sparked encouraging conversations internally among our team members, as well as with leaders from around the community. Being in different parts of their leadership journeys, Wendy, Misty, and Savannah all collected helpful stories, personal practices, and learned about different leadership dynamics suited to each of them. Bloom couldn’t have been more successful, and we can’t wait to enjoy and support it more in the future!
PICNIC ON THE PATIO | 06.12.25
PICNIC ON THE PATIO
Last month, we hosted another warm and welcoming Picnic on the Patio in our courtyard and kitchen area. This $3 lunch, sponsored by IWU, was a gathering for partnerships, businesses, and local residents, offering homemade food, relaxed conversation, and meaningful connections under the warm sun. Picnic on the Patio continues to be a creative space for building community, encouraging everyone to slow down, share a meal, and celebrate the people and stories that define downtown Marion. We hope to continue bringing people together in the downtown, especially as our local universities start back up in the fall!
KAC GALLERY | 07.1.2025
MAKING A GARDEN OF STRANGE FRUIT RETROSPECTIVE
After nearly 5 months of gracing the walls of the Kennedy Art Center, artist Samuel Levi Jones and his collaborator from LAA Office, Daniel Luis Martinez, came down to de-install the show on the first of July. We were amazed by the turnout this historic show was given, as well as all the thoughtful responses we received throughout it, even as it dealt with such a tough topic.
Just a few weeks before the installation came down, we had the honor of interviewing five individuals about their thoughts on the exhibit. Each and every one of our interviewees gave sensitive, thoughtfully articulated responses that not only showed Marion’s care, but also the lingering effect that history continues to have on us today- and how we can work to overcome it. We want to thank the community and the artist and organizers for creating a space for all of this to happen.
Learn more about the Marion Legacy Project and all that it has in store in the future below.
KAC GALLERY | 07.18.2025
CELEBRATE SAQA INDIANA II: QUILTING AS AN ART
Though our last show has left, as always, this means another is on its way. We just finished hanging our next SAQA Quilter’s exhibit, in collaboration with the Quilter’s Hall of Fame annual celebration. This year we have a whopping 36 quilts, spread all throughout the building. These quilt works are breathtaking, and too often, underappreciated as an art! Many of the quilts are reminiscent of an oil painting made of cloth, whilst others incorporate elements straight out of modern mixed media works. If you’re not sure what to expect from an exhibition of quilts, come let this show blow you away. The quilts will be up from July 16th through September 10th, with the opening reception happening Friday evening on July 18th, from 5 pm - 7 pm at the Kennedy Art Center. The public is welcome, and in fact, we hope that you come! Along with free refreshments and beautiful artwork, we’ll have eight of the quilters in attendance to speak about their work. We hope to see you there!
