Filed under: Community Building
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
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
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
Unearthing Educational Ideas
Jen wrote a sample curriculum for the park, which integrates site visits with school activities. Interdisciplinary lessons, tailored for grades 4 through 6, focus on integrating evidence from archaeological digs with Native American perspectives on the past. The curriculum draws on existing interpretive resources, and emerging research on teaching and learning in informal settings.
This is an ongoing project with future work possible.
February 21, 2011
Harbor Springs Area Historical Society Museum
Harbor Springs is a unique town with a unique story. In 2006, Good Design Group and Rhonda St. John teamed up to produce a concept that highlights the town’s history and characteristics. A history gallery introduces visitors to the area, from its roots as a summer residence for Native Americans to its heyday as a summer resort community for wealthy industrialists. A discovery gallery offers a kid’s-eye view of Harbor Springs and some of its interesting residents.
Local fabrication with interactives by Superior Exhibits of Chicago. AV by Red Road Media.
February 21, 2011
Growing a New Identity is Hard Work
Good Design Group teamed with Gene Ullery-Smith to provide the West Midland Family Center with a new logo and identity, pro-bono. The original tree logo had served the family center well for years, but they were ready for something new. Gene and John conducted multiple sessions with the WMFC’s team and provided a number of options for a new logo and identity.
As yet unrealized.
February 21, 2011
Sex, Gender & Identity: Traveling Exhibit Concept
Sex, Gender & Identity is the first of Good Design Group’s "Sprouts" – our self-initiated exhibits. Currently in development, this traveling exhibit’s goal is to introduce visitors to the wide spectrum of individuals who do not follow traditional gender and sex rules and roles. Working with the LGBT community, Good Design Group has developed a concept for this mush needed exhibit.
Stay tuned, or let us know if you’re interested in helping us grow this concept into a realized educational piece.
February 21, 2011
2006 Central Park Revitalization Concepts
As the city of Midland considered the fate of Central Park, Good Design Group, with input from Hallberg Design Studio, "played" around with a couple ways to add learning and diverse activities to this large park in the center of Midland.
February 21, 2011
2005 Marvin Visitor Center
Marvin Windows and Doors is a great American success story. Despite his dad’s warnings of failure, William Marvin started the company that turned the little town of Warroad, MN into a world-class manufacturing hub. The isolated location posed many challenges, but the emphasis on quality and treating people right helped Marvin prosper.
John led the design team at Design Craftsmen in creating a visitor center full of as much innovation and quality as Marvin itself. Using materials reminiscent of the subject matter, the team designed a space that would speak directly to the employees and customers, as well as the residents of Warroad.
Fabrication and installation by Design Craftsmen
February 21, 2011
