Profile

Studio Blue is organized to deliver superlative strategic planning and design for cultural and educational institutions. We find the opportunity in each of our client relationships to authentically flaunt and celebrate what they do so well – allow for learning, exploration, inspiration and innovation. Our process goes to the root of the assignment in order to discover solutions true to the essence of an organization and avoid knee-jerk rationales which might cheapen or oversimplify offerings. We contribute our expertise and talents to help further organizations' missions. We have made a conscious choice to target a nonprofit client base which gives us insight into the unique problems that our clients face in today’s culture. We share our client’s values and understand their missions.

History

1993

Armed with youthful ambition and an MFA in graphic design from Yale, Cheryl Towler Weese sets up a workspace in the back room of Weese Langley Weese, the architecture firm where her husband works, and Studio Blue is launched. (The term "studio" is used to embrace collaborative rather than individual accomplishment and "blue" sounds nice.)

Later that year

Weese visits the Art Institute of Chicago where she meets the associate director of publications, Kathy Fredrickson. Fredrickson offers her a project, 900+ pages of a James McNeill Whistler catalogue raisonné. Weese agrees to complete the project, which essentially amounts to slave labor - and a full-time job, at least in terms of the time it takes.

Even later yet

Impressed by Weese's indomitable cheerfulness and gorgeous design solutions, Fredrickson confesses her dream is to start her own business and proposes that they become partners. Fredrickson quits her job at the museum and moves into the back room of the architecture firm with Weese. Studying part-time, Fredrickson completes an MA in arts administration at the School of the Art Institute.

1993-1998

Studio Blue designs books for museums. They establish a reputation in the museum publishing community for doing inventively designed, beautifully produced art books.

Over time

The Studio expands its range of expertise to include interactive media, environmental design, and brand identity. They establish a business plan that incorporates a formal decision to serve the nonprofit community and focus their marketing efforts solely on schools and museums. The Studio's projects reflect an increased range of capabilities, including research, editorial support, and writing, as well as strategic development and implementation of ideas across many design platforms.

2001

The Studio moves from the back room of Weese Langley Weese into their current space at 800 West Huron, where they coexist in one room of about 2,000 square feet, northwest of the Chicago Loop. They work in teams, collaborating with architects and web developers to provide support and ideas as needed to deliver multidimensional products and systems for their clients.

2006

After years of working with Kathy Fredrickson as a fellow AIGA board member, Maggie Lewis joins the Studio. Maggie is an MS candidate in learning and organizational change at Northwestern University. For the past fifteen years she has led integrated teams to develop and implement brand strategies, identity systems, and corporate communication programs. At Studio Blue she leads design teams in definition of strategic opportunity.

The Studio hires Siobhan Drummond, who brings more than 20 years of production experience and organizational skills into play managing projects of every stripe. Her position is a pivotal one as the Studio continues to produce numerous complex projects in a wide range of media.

2007

The studio hires Claire Williams as a senior designer, Esther Chak as a designer, and Rob Mach as a junior designer. Their talents and experiences allow the studio to expand its capabilities and delve into even more diverse projects.

Lauren Boegen is hired as the administrative assistant. Her experience working in museums and non-profit cultural organizations give her particular insight to the studio's client base.

Maggie Lewis becomes a studio partner. Her skill in strategy, organizational leadership, and management is an asset for both clients and the studio.