(page 46) NOVEMBER 2014
THE REAL DEAL by Jordan Smith
Names: Carrie Kuhl & Renee Halgerson // Ages: 31 // Specialty: (Carrie) Graphic Design (Renee) Wedding Design growing our services. We also offer graphic design services to small businesses. RH: We have retail items at our store from some of our favorite vendors. Our retail carries us during the winter months when it’s not really wedding season. We carry a variety of retail from 12 vendors, including cards, journals, Kate Spade stationery and jewelry. We love to support local vendors such as Opaque Lion and Mama Peacock by selling their jewelry. CK: Together we have a good eye for curating retail. We are really picky about what we carry here and we love every piece. Do you have a favorite client you’ve worked with? CK: One of our favorite projects we worked on has been Brookings’ Wooden Legs Brewery. We are big supporters of them. We worked with them since the beginning on the creation of their flagship beer logo, their advertisements, their website and their menus.
HITCH DESIGN STUDIO “Together we have a good eye for curating retail. We are really picky about what we carry here and we love every piece.”
Carrie Kuhl and Renee Halgerson opened Hitch Design Studio in Brookings last February. The duo met while studying graphic design at South Dakota State University and later worked together at AIGA in Sioux Falls. Now using their shared passion for design and dream of opening a business, they fill a niche they thought the city of Brookings was lacking. How did the idea for Hitch Design become a reality? RH: We realized there was not enough room in Brookings to be competitors. CK: When we realized our business goals were similar, we sat down and figured out a business plan. We were able to find a great location on Main Street to open up shop. At the time, I already lived in Brookings and had started selling my designs. Renee moved here in December 2013, and we opened for business February 6.
Why Brookings? RH: I had a tie to Brookings from my college days. The town has a great atmosphere. We realized that this service was one that was not offered in Brookings and knew this was where we wanted to open our shop. CK: Our ribbon cutting ceremony was packed, the support from the town was amazing. The studio is in a perfect location. We love being downtown. Do you work together on projects? RH: My strong suits include wedding planning and design. CK: I work on the web side of things, and we work on design together – I’m not the wedding planner like Renee. What makes Hitch Design different from other graphic design studios? CK: Right now wedding invitations are our core, but we also assist with the entire wedding planning process and are working on
What is unique about a Hitch Design wedding? RH: Some of my proudest designs are weddings. I love working with clients through the whole wedding process and creating a truly branded, personalized wedding. CK: I think you can brand your wedding, just like you can brand your business. You make it one cohesive event. We love when we can help people do that. What is your favorite part of being a business owner? RH: Meeting a variety of people is my favorite part. I am huge into networking and becoming close with the brides and their families or the small business we are working with. CK: My favorite part is becoming part of a team or family. You didn’t just hire us, we are part of your team. Good design means good business. Good design will always be our top priority. For more info, visit www.hitchstudio.com or call (605) 592-9072.