Recent UW-Stout graphic design graduate helps alumni business rebrand, prepare for expansion

UW-Stout's polytechnic approach gave industrial and product design alum Trevor James the skills to create his own business and carve out a niche in large-scale graphic installations. It's also what prompted him to connect with his alma mater when he wanted to rebrand and expand that business.

Now, with the help of recent graphic design and interactive media graduate Opal Lawrence, James' Minnesota-based business, Amplify Graphic Installations, has undergone a relaunch.

James, a 2002 graduate, said his UW-Stout industrial and product design education helped him create a career in the graphics installation industry, first working for several companies while developing a broad skillset that reflected his experience at UW-Stout.

"UW-Stout has a polytechnic, hands-on way of doing things, which I've always just loved," he said. "When anybody says, 'Hey can you do this?,' I say, 'I'll be able to figure it out.'"

Engaging with businesses of all sizes

The inquiry reached UW-Stout's Office of Corporate Relations and Economic Engagement, which supports the university's polytechnic mission by catalyzing applied learning to help businesses, nonprofits, government agencies and community organizations.

External Partner Outreach Manager Sarah Sippl coordinated a meeting between the couple and Associated Dean Aaron Durst, director of UW-Stout's School of Art & Design, and Assistant Professor Katie Lupton, program director for the B.F.A. graphic design and interactive media program. Lupton identified Lawrence, a former student, as the perfect candidate to complete the work.

"She's going to get it done, she's a great designer, she's super reliable," Lupton recalled saying. "This is going to be a home run."

The partners created and signed a scope-of-work agreement, and Lawrence was brought on as a limited-term employee to help Amplify Graphic Installations upgrade its brand. It needed new print materials, such as business cards and brochures. But it also needed a refreshed website, redesigned to highlight the business's new name and branding and to emphasize its accreditation as a 3M Preferred Graphics Installer, which indicates workers have passed advanced tests and specialize in installing specialized graphics such as those on walls, windows and fleets of vehicles. In addition, the business needed its social media channels - including LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook - to match the new look.

Inspiring Graduate: Opal Lawrence, B.F.A. Graphic Design & Interactive Media

Lawrence said she was pleased that Lupton, who she had as a professor for several classes, including her senior capstone course, thought of her for the opportunity. She talked with Trevor and Kristin and got to know them, their business and what they wanted to do with it. The team soon established weekly check-ins to discuss the project's progress.

"They already had a logo, but they needed everything else to have that new identity," explained Lawrence, who graduated in December with a B.F.A. in graphic design and interactive media. Because of her coursework and professional experience - including a current internship with Forma, a Menomonie-based multidisciplinary design company - Lawrence had the know-how to create printed materials as well as the technical skills to reboot the company's online presence.

"This is not a weeklong, 'cram it in and get it done' process," Trevor explained. "Opal does a lot of different things, and then we talk about them, she makes whatever changes are needed, and we move on to the next thing."

Business relaunches with new look

"It's been very good, everybody's been on the top of their game - very professional," Trevor added. Lawrence has helped not only with adopting the logo, colors and branding but also with important behind-the-scenes details such as changing email addresses.

The experience has helped Lawrence apply and polish a wide range of skills. "It's been cool being able to handle and manage the communication side of things," she said. "I'm doing the work, but I'm also setting up the meetings and confirming with them what they're looking for. It's been interesting to have that very rounded experience - doing it all."

Now, after several months of work, Amplify Graphic Installations has relaunched with its new name and new look.

"Working with Opal and learning about things that they can do with their design process and the business has been really great for Trevor and Kristin," Lupton said. "I feel like it's been a positive experience and a great first example of projects for the future."

"There definitely could be more relationships and partnerships like this," she continued, adding that businesses may not realize they can form such beneficial connections with UW-Stout.

These partnerships - whether class-based or stand-alone - are coordinated through the Office of Corporate Relations & Economic Engagement. Interested parties are encouraged to contact the office at 715-232-2397 or [email protected].

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Inspiring Graduate: Opal Lawrence, B.F.A. Graphic Design & Interactive Media