Las Canchas
Community Futsal CourtsBranding | Print | Environmental | Mural Design & Painting | Digital
On the West side of Downtown Grand Rapids, a largely un-used surface level parking lot is transformed into a community futsal court. This public, free to use space soon became host to local leagues, training camps, watch parties, pickup games and other events.
Our mission in designing the brand for this project was to create something vibrant, that spoke to the soccer/futsal community and was Spanish forward in its communication.
Max Vanderforest - Creative Direction
Bryan Esler - Photography
World of Winter
Largest Winter Festival in the U.S.
WoW is a 2 month festival with the intention of bringing life and people Downtown during the winter season. A selection of curated artists, both abroad and local, pepper the streets of GR, giving the community a reason to visit Downtown during an otherwise cold and seemingly lifeless time of year.
Alongside the art installations, are a variety of events for all ages. Major recurring events include a silent disco, drag show, indigenous snow snake competition, circus performers, walking tours & more.
Max Vanderforest - Branding | Design
Bryan Esler - Photography
Bryan Esler - Photography
Downtown Neighbor Network
A program developed as a way to connect Downtown neighbors to city development, businesses, events and other neighbors.
The DNN hosted a variety of events, that connected people around food, local businesses and spaces, offering a chance to weigh in on the future of their neighborhood.
Bryan Elsler - Photography
Point of View
10 Years of Public Art
This artbook is a documentation of art, events & public space activation in Downtown Grand Rapids. Developed to celebrate all the artists, curators, & project leaders who brought life to the urban landscape.
The book was printed and passed out or delivered for free to all involved as a gift for their contribution.
When designing the book. I wanted the exterior to feel barren and lifeless, using debossed lines and text to emulate urban concrete. Once opened, the viewer is immediately greeted with a world of color that is meant to simulate public art. taking a once empty and unnatractive city space and filling it with something beautiful.
Brian Hedrick - Page layout & Design
Relax @ Rosa
Free Lunchtime Concerts & Food Trucks
Every Thusday in the summer, DGRI hosts a free lunch time concert series at Rosa Parks Circle. A rotating selection of food trucks populate the walkway between the Grand Rapids Art Museum and the park.
Bryan Esler - Photography
Downtown Community Garden
For a while the Community on the west side of Downtown Grand Rapids has struggled with affordable and accessbile food. It was not until 2018 that The experimental Bridgestreet Market was opened by Meijer, offering walkable groceries to that neighborhood.
In an attempt to further assist with food access and also activate some un-used lot space, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc started a community garden. This gave Westside neighbors the opportunity to grow their own produce and connect with others locals looking to excercise their green thumb.
Max Vanderforest - Branding | Design
Bryan Esler - Photography