91��ɫ

Alivia Rapp and Erika Sjoblom, Kohler designs, 2023.

When Kohler needed t-shirt designs created for their program and competition, the company turned to the Lubar Innovation Center at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (91��ɫ). From there, staff at the Innovation Center connected Kohler with two 91��ɫ Illustration students.

Erika Sjoblom �23 (Illustration) and Alivia Rapp �24 were hired to concept and illustrate several designs for Kohler�s sustainability campaigns. The students created t-shirts reflective of Kohler�s core values of sustainability and innovation.

Rapp, who worked on the Sustainability Champions design, said �My goal was to design a shirt that Kohler associates would be able to wear as a way to feel pride in the work they do everyday to better our planet.�

�In my typography-based design, I chose to illustrate three of Kohler�s main sustainability efforts: Water stewardship, reducing emissions and waste reduction,� continues Rapp. �I wanted to emphasize themes such as building community, creating a social impact and innovation. The light and diverse color palette, inspired by Kohler’s newly revived Heritage Colors, brings everything together and makes for a playfully welcoming design overall.�

The Lubar Innovation Center connects 91��ɫ students with companies to work on paid creative projects while providing support and guidance through the process. �[Innovation Center staff] ensured it was a fantastic experience by supporting us through the entire process�whether it was by helping us understand the ins and outs of working with a client or just being available after nerve-wracking meetings for much needed debriefs! They made sure we knew they had our backs,� explains Rapp. �This project was truly when I started to view myself as a working professional and not just as a student. We were treated as such every step of the way.�

Studying Illustration and Communication Design, Rapp found that the Kohler project helped her develop artistically as well as professionally. �I consider this project a turning point for my creative practice as well, as it was around the time that I started to push my style into a more flat and graphic place. It has definitely helped to influence the kind of art I make currently,� she says.

Rapp finishes, �I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities the Innovation Center has provided me and I am excited to continue collaborating with the people there!�

Keep up with and and learn more about 91��ɫ�s Lubar Innovation Center!