Newsletter 004
Welcome to the MDCO Newsletter! We are so excited to share with you a variety of what we’ve worked on, an alumni highlight, and a piece of gratitude towards one of Marion’s Local Businesses, Lark’s Song. We appreciate your commitment and time towards our team!
In anticipation of hosting the Indiana Arts Commission On-Ramp Workshop, we created a brand for the three-day event. Inspired by educational materials - created by Minerva - prepared for the workshop, we developed a mark that employs the playful, imaginative nature of vibrant colored dots to reflect the boldness required when starting a creative business. We are eager to watch the brand come to life next week as we learn alongside the team of creators!
We are joining the downtown community by celebrating Christmas in July! Stop by 401 S Washington St. anytime from
5-9pm on July 23 for a movie night and gift exchange, as well as other stops along the square! We can’t wait to celebrate the joy of Christmas with you, our neighbor!
Last week, Jenna came through Marion and visited us at Lark’s Song to see the Summer Cohort. Jenna became an intern in the fall of 2018, and stayed involved with Marion Design Co. up until her recent graduation in April 2021. Jenna graduated with a B.A in Design for Social Impact and is currently located in her hometown, Muskegon, Michigan.
Jenna worked on a variety of projects during her time with Marion Design Co., but she told us her favorite and most memorable work was her first project, the SEAD Conference. She said one of the most fulfilling parts of SEAD was working on it from start to finish, from planning the event to seeing it in its full fruition. As well, the conference was brand new, as Jenna and her team made the very first SEAD conference. With nothing to reference as a “past event,” Jenna and her team had the freedom to imagine and come up with ideas with little restriction. She said that Wendy did a great job of “coaching through the chaos” throughout the planning and execution of the event.
As Jenna has graduated and is currently looking for her next step, she shared with us how Marion Design Co. has impacted her work today. She said that, through her experience doing workshops through MDCO, she has a greater interest in roles that involve teaching, or have a more educational strategy at their core. She said that “Marion Design Co is a philosophy, or way of working, that you can apply anywhere you go.” Now, Jenna is looking for jobs in Placemaking and Strategy and is taking routine walks with her 80-year-old neighbor, and a 90-year-old friend. As a recent graduate, Jenna is taking time to explore opportunities as they arise.
Beginning in Fall 2020, Lark’s Song has welcomed Marion Design Co. into their building and shared their workspace with us. Access to the building has allowed us to continue working at the heart of downtown and remain connected to our community, while also actively collaborating with Lark’s Song.
Since Lark’s Song’s origins in 2013, Megan Gilmore, the nonprofit’s founder, shared their journey has been full of “unreal, wild, synchronous, divine-timing stories.” Providing wellbeing education, certified coach training, and culture care, Lark’s Song exists to courageously and holistically cocreate a flourishing world. As larks represent daybreak and courage, Lark’s Song offers programs that empower individuals towards the courage to notice and engage with newness, honoring their own song.
Lark’s Song moved to the corner of 4th and Washington in 2015. While the scope of Lark’s Song’s impact reaches far beyond Indiana, their vision of transformation and life purpose discovery remains grounded in downtown Marion. Megan shared that their consistent presence has meant the people of Marion now see them as a safe space and a loyal friend.
Marion Design Co. has been collaborating with Lark’s Song since 2016, when Megan worked closely with our founders to translate community stories into the Marion values now found in the 4th St. Alleyway. From hundreds of post-it notes revealing community members’ perspectives of the city, we were able to collaborate in extracting the values from the stories of our neighbors.
During coaching sessions, Megan explained that clients create a life purpose statement. For Megan, this statement says, “I am the lark’s song that awakens courage.” As Lark’s Song continues to grow, Megan shared that she is excited about the way the nonprofit has realized its purpose, courageously embracing its identity and awakening the community to its potential.
Brittany
It’s been 4 months since we officially launched Marion Design Co as an independent business. In that time, we have been able to partner with so many people and build connections with small and large businesses.
Design is not an individual sport. It’s a process that requires problem-solving and collaboration. As I reflect on the work we’ve done this summer so far, one word that comes to mind is THANKFULNESS. I am blown away by what our team has been able to accomplish and how many awesome people we have been able to partner with along the way.
Our 6 interns continue to push the envelope with creativity, leadership, and ingenuity. Our leadership team continues to lead with confidence and grace. Our partners continue to join with us in the creative and problem-solving process, showing up with excitement and hopefulness for what we can create together.
Altogether, I am thankful. Cheers to our future and what we can accomplish together!
