Arab Americans in Service to Our Country
Good Design Group worked with the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn, Michigan to create two versions of a traveling exhibit: “Patriots and Peacemakers: Arab Americans in Service to Our Country.” This ambitious exhibit tells the stories of about 200 Arab Americans who have served in the Military, Peace Corps, or as Diplomats. Following an innovative format, each featured individual’s story is displayed on an exhibit cube. Visitors are free to pick up cubes and read all sides, creating a very personal opportunity for visitors to interact with the exhibit.
December 16, 2011
In December of 2010, Good Design Group’s southeastern Michigan office relocated to Ypsilanti. In an effort to get to know some of her neighbors, Jen attended a neighborhood association meeting. One glass of wine and 2 cookies later, she found herself on the board, and took on the project of a re-designing a logo.
As a volunteer effort, Jen designed a suite of logos for use on various publications and promotions for the Normal Park Neighborhood Association (NPNA). Known for its adorable tree-lined streets and friendly neighbors, the NPNA board selected a group of logo options and colors that they felt best represented their community.
October 19, 2011
After five years, Good Design Group has moved to the next level of business model. This change will not affect our commitment to providing quality design services.
Our primary business office is still in Midland, MI. Our southeast Michigan office has moved to Ypsilanti. E-mail addresses and phone numbers remain the same.
March 12, 2011
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
In our biggest independent project to date, Good Design Group teamed with Chris Malczewski to redesign the 12 year old 5,400 square foot history gallery of Kalamazoo’s community museum.
February 21, 2011
Harbor Springs Area Historical Society Goes Quiet
Good Design Group was invited back to help HSAHS with a little problem with their beautiful and spacious library space on the second floor. The space’s hardwood floors and dark wood ceilings create a wonderful look, but an acoustically difficult room. Meetings often resulted in a lot of people asking, "What did she say?"
Although not acoustic experts, Good Design Group and GOOD friend Chris Malczewski have had enough experience working with difficult spaces to feel that we could offer practical solutions.
We implemented a two prong approach—overhead banners to soften the ceiling effects and a number of wall panels to absorb some of the sound waves bouncing around the space.
The results were both attractive and keep meetings from turning into shouting matches. A very civil solution.
Banners by Banner Creations, Assembly and installation by Marty Roznowski, LLC
February 21, 2011
Ask What You Can Do for Your Exhibit
After Jen’s successful design for the Ghost Army Exhibit at the Hatcher Graduate Library on the campus of the University of Michigan, Good Design Group was invited to design the temporary exhibit celebrating the 50th Anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s speech inspiring the creation of the Peace Corps. We were lucky enough to have a wealth of material to work with and the excellent research abilities of Peace Corps Volunteer Kay Clifford.
Recognizing the speech kicks off a full year of celebrations around the country. Unfortunately the exhibit was only up for two months, but you can find most of the information online.
Graphic production by Paragon Display Group / Installation by University of Michigan
February 21, 2011
Lakeshore Museum Center: Michigan Through the Depths of Time – Muskegon, Michigan
This small but exciting gallery takes visitors back through 450 million years of Michigan history with three detailed dioramas.
Good Design group teamed with the gallery’s conceptual designer—Chris Malczewski—to take the project through final design. With the tremendous efforts of the LMC’s staff and the scenic genius of Marty Roznowski, the team overcame the fabrication difficulties caused by the demise of Design Craftsmen. The gallery opened in March 2010 to rave reviews from visitors of all ages.
John worked with Chris to install all the fiber optic lighting and the Mastodon fossils.
Fabrication by Design Craftsmen and LMC/Scenic and installation by Marty Roznowski/Murals by The Mural Company
February 21, 2011
Exhibit Museum: Native American Dioramas in Transition — Ann Arbor, Michigan
Jen was asked to assist in creating interpretive materials to help explain why some popular dioramas were going to be removed from the Exhibit Museum. The 50 year old dioramas depicted Native American cultures in miniature form. Useful educational tools, or offensive depiction of Native Americans in a Natural History Museum context? That was the question that Jen and curators addressed in the graphics and visitor feedback station that was created.
As museums move into the 21st century, we see more of these types of curatorial struggles happening, AND the desire to let the public in on the conversation. Bravo!
February 21, 2011
Community Building in West Africa
Jen traveled to Ghana in the spring of 2009 with a team from the University of Michigan to help develop educational programs for the Nkwantananso Cultural Center. Designed to be "for and by" the people of Techiman, the Center aims to be a space where diverse communities can come together to practice and learn about their cultures.
Working with Ghana National Service members, Jen guided several pilot programs for Nkwantananso. Students got the chance to work on a live archaeological dig, learn about pottery traditions, and share their knowledge through drawings and writing. Local teachers learned about instruction using objects, sites, and other cultural resources.
February 21, 2011
Keeping Cultural Landscapes Alive
Good Design Group was invited to work with the Peavey Group and Red Road Media on the interpretive exhibits at the Olsen House within the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore at Port Oneida.
Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear is a "friend of the park" organization working hard to save the Cultural Landscape of the National Lakeshore. The Olsen House is their HQ and interpretive center. Good Design Group has been asked to help tell the story of the Olsen family, the Olsen house, cultural landscapes and Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear.
Yet unrealized
February 21, 2011
Previous page
