THIS IS OUR STORY.

The History of Marion Design Co.

How can design empower radical change? How can designers employ empathy to develop relational design practices? These questions spark the story of a social design studio and the movements that changed how we consider community activism and design thinking.

Founded by a collection of university professors in 2016, Marion Design Co. began with 17 students, amazing neighbors, an empty bank, and one 20ft. table. Without a real plan, but aware of a real need, we met with different members of the Marion community— both old-timers and newcomers.

As we listened to stories of both beauty and hardship, we came to know our community and our city more intimately. A community that was once the thriving metropolis of the Midwest was known as a bruised economy rooted in racial tensions. To many, Marion was the residue of a past with blighted storefronts, broken homes, and vacant warehouses. But, by building relationships and exchanging stories, the narrative of Marion began to change.

When Marion Design Co. began its work, a story that stemmed from negativity and discouragement started blossoming into one of hope and vision. Our first project, creating a brand identity for the City of Marion, allowed us to deepen these relationships and walk with our community as we transitioned into a city with a common identity and tenacious hope. Since this first project, we have moved buildings, worked with over fifty interns, expanded our portfolio beyond Marion, and continued to build and strengthen relationships. The impact of the Marion community on our own story has proven invaluable.

While it may look like a logo, a website, or a workspace, the work of Marion Design Co. is intentionally focused on collaboration, design thinking, and design advocacy, and is inseparable from the vitality of Marion and the stories it houses. 

By creating sustainable design solutions, we provide educational freedom to the community. Only through collaboration can we empower the community, propel each other forward, and reveal the true identity of our amazing city and the true strength of the individuals who form it.

Our Brand.

Branding goes beyond logos, typefaces and technical guidelines. It expresses something deeper about an organization, acting as a reflection of its identity. Our brand architecture is broken down into five avenues: brand essence, audience, tone of voice, look and feel, and culture.

Brand Essence | At Marion Design Co. our creative interns are the heartbeat and our leaders are the backbone. The fundamental nature of Marion Design Co. stems from an authentic community of collaboration and empathy. A few terms that define us include synergy, collaboration, people-first, and unity. Our people-oriented culture fosters connection which enables us to use our skills to empower each other and our community.

Our Culture | We work hard, take risks, ask questions, make mistakes, support one another, and lead by example. We ditch the recipe and trust our gut. We show up each morning ready to practice the hard parts over and over. We are never bored because the work is never done. We faceplant in the mud, get back up, set our fear on fire, and exceed the expectations put before us. We believe in the people of Marion and in the future of Marion.

Our Mark.

Our mark is rooted in our place in Marion, both physically and symbolically.

The “M” fits within the map of the downtown square to show how we exist within our city. It also relates to our physical presence within our studio on the square. The speech bubble communicates how we value conversation, listening, and authentic relationships.

Through creative placemaking, design thinking, and innovation, we tackle urban renewal, revitalization, community branding, and identity development. We hope to be a voice that unites people together to ultimately revive, propel, and empower Marion.

We believe in stories.

We believe in stories because they give us a glimpse into the places we might overlook. By listening and hearing one another, we begin to form long-lasting bonds and relationships and understand the history of who we are. 

Since day one, we have asked the Marion community to join us in the sharing of stories, feelings, and ideas that are connected to our community. Today, our story is inseparable from Marion’s story and is continually expanding to include your story, too. Here at Marion Design Co., we believe that each and every person has a powerful story. We believe in your story because you are the answer.