Q3 2019
Sarah Bieber
Connecting urban and rural through Media Design.
Mary Selvig Framing Three perspectives
Urban Farmhouse
A little bit country, a little bit rock-n-roll.
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Q3 2019
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Mary Selvig Framing
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Urban Farmhouse
Contents
A closer look at this owner’s philosophy on being an artist, historian, and curator of art.
Product suggestions for those who want to bring an little country into their urban setting.
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Connecting Rural & Urban Media Design professionals, like Sarah Bieber are creating networks which benefit the agricultural industry.
Design
Little Raven
Co . A proprietor of fine handcrafted kaleidoscopes and limited edition woodblock prints. www.etsy.com/shop/LittleRavenDesignCo
Editorial As a nontraditional student, Michele Meester decided to return to STC to pursue a second career in Media Design. Throughout her experiences as a computer programmer, freelance artist, and mother, she has had a life-long interest in combining her artistic aptitude with the technical aspects of this field.
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rowing up in the big city of Sioux Falls, I had created my idealistic version of what it would be like to be a “farm kid.” Back then, living the farm life meant spending summers on my grandparent’s farm and helping with chores. The chores I was entrusted with were fun activities such as filling the feeders for the little chicks and bottle feeding lambs in the spring. And even though these tasks fostered my sentimental assumptions of a farmer’s job, it also taught me the value of work and responsibility. I believe that this is the true story of agriculture in South Dakota today. Media designers create a visual language that supports the ideas and messages of businesses and organizations. Since the agricultural industry plays a major role in both the economic status and the historical legacy of our state, the Media Design industry should play an important role in the promotion and support of area farmers. I am so thrilled and grateful to have had the opportunity to interview and present in
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this issue a media designer who works for a business that supports the farming community. Even though I am a “city kid,” I have attempted to bring a little of the country into my life. For many years, I have enjoyed gardening even though my little urban garden is minute compared to my grandmother’s massive vegetable and flower garden fields. The section entitled, “Urban Farmhouse,” is filled with product ideas to bring a vintage approach to your backyard garden.
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Connecting Rural & Urban through Media Design An interview with Sarah Bieber By Michele Meester
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his question may be the lyric of a 1919 post WW I song, but it poignantly reinforces the
longstanding sentiment that farm life cannot compete with the sublime of modern urban life. Traditionally, the Media Design industry promotes those products
“How are you going to keep them down on the farm after they’ve seen Paree?”
and commerce that current social preferences dictate, namely an urban lifestyle. However, it’s unfortunate that in the state of South Dakota, where the most significant industry is agriculture that farming and rural concerns are not proportionally, the main focus of media designers. Agriculture, like any other industry, has evolved with technological advancements, but does it get its share of the Media Design spotlight? I was, therefore, grateful to have the opportunity to interview a past graduate of Southeast Technical Institute who is connecting urban and rural industries through her work as a media designer.
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Rust was added to milk paint to prevent moss from growing on barns. This turned the paint a red color which began the tradition of barns being red.
The landscape of South Dakota plays a critical part of South Dakotas 12.5 million farming economy. Media Design is changing that landscape through better communication.
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What is Farmers Business Network?
When Sarah Bieber graduated from Southeast Technical Institute in the Graphic Communications program, she, like many students preparing to graduate, didn’t know where her training would take her. Eight years later, she currently finds herself working as Art Director and acting Creative Director at Farmers Business Network, a business that supports farmers and, ultimately, South Dakota’s 32.5 billion dollars agricultural economy. Large, round bales that could be moved by tractor were invented by Iowa State agricultural engineering professor Wesley Buchele in the 1960’s.
Farmers Business Network is an international company that supports regional farmers through its six business lines of support. The Analytics line distributes seed performance data, satellite imagery, and price information. The Marketing line advises on selling crops. Inputs refer to the seed, chemical, and fertilizers that farmers can purchase through FBN. The Finance line provides loan plans. FBN has another business line specifically for Crop Insurance. The sixth line offers a variety of Health Coverage plans designed for farming families. Cupolas, decorative tops on barns, were used to keep pests out.
Sarah’s role at FBN is “to tell the story of FBN,” so that farmers will learn how this company can benefit their farming operation. As more farmers become part of the network, the more significant insights and data collected. Working as FBN’s creative director, Sarah is responsible for providing overall creative direction and briefs. Currently, FBN hires assistance for its design and production areas from external sources. Sarah manages these teams of creative partners and agencies. She is also the point of contact with FBN’s six business lines and FBN’s marketing managers. In the future, FBN hopes to hire in-house staff to provide these services.
To tell the story of FBN, Sarah has been instrumental in developing branding standards for the FBN. She has created an online version of their brand guide to ensure that their marketing material meets the intended standards and expectations. For more information on this online branding guide, go to http:// clients.grainandmortar.com/FBN/ index.html. Most of Sarah’s daily routine is spent planning: planning campaigns, briefs, projects, and tactics. When she is designing, she sketches different ways to approach a project and does essential research on a subject before she even starts work on a computer. Although FBN has an office in Sioux
Falls, Sarah’s job takes her to their corporate office, located in California. She also spends much of her time traveling around the country for shoots, farming events, or other offices to connect with different team members depending on the projects and initiatives. Sarah considers the most rewarding aspect of her job is to be working with a team. “Sharing a common goal can
be incredibly fun and rewarding, as well as seeing your vision coming to life.” However, the most challenging aspects of her job include tight deadlines and managing an extensive creative department with external partners and many different campaigns and projects. Time management and organization are both essential.
“Sharing a common goal can be incredibly fun and rewarding, as well as seeing your vision coming to life.”
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In the Beginning... Sarah’s career has included working for Lawrence & Schiller and ClickRain. That experience from working within these two agencies has given her invaluable insights into the operations of those businesses that market creative services. While working at these advertising agencies, Sarah was able to observe the operational flow and hierarchal structure of the design industry. “Being able to understand the campaign metrics, goals, and outcomes of business is essential to provide value as a marketing designer.” I asked Sarah what advice she would give to designers entering the industry. She answered that “having a passion for learning and staying curious about new aspects of the design industry keeps your career exciting and energizing.” A passion for learning will most definitely benefit a designer’s job. Upgrades and new platforms will inevitably be expected from time to time; in fact, Sarah has needed to learn entirely new software for the web development she designs. Sarah also incorporates her art within her personal life. She loves to paint and work on creative projects. She is passionate about typography and runs a small online shop, www.inkandtype.co, that offers hand-lettered artwork. Her philosophy is that “a designer should always stay curious.” Inspiration comes from her life experiences and
The first upright modern silo was invented by Fred Hatch in 1873 and was located in McHenry County, Illinois.
“A designer should always stay curious.” — Sarah Bieber not behind a computer screen. Bringing a notebook with her wherever she goes, she can jot down quick ideas or sketches as they come to her. Along with her notes, she also takes photos of anything that inspires her. By storing these ideas and inspirations in a folder, she can extract these ideas at a later time when it fits a project. A hundred years later, after a song
Corn producers contribute 2.43 billion dollars to South Dakota’s economy.
questioned the capability of rural and urban lifestyles, Media Design professionals, like Sarah Bieber, are connecting rural industries with urban technology.
The SD cattle industry provides 34% of the state’s agricultural economy.
From ETSY.com/shop/ BieberDesigns “I started drawing at a very young age. Down the road, that led me into becoming a self-taught painter, then collegeeducated designer, and now a combination of these two. My all-time favorite element of design is typography. I absolutely love lettering. Drawing letterforms and calligraphy by hand is almost therapeutic for me.”
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Three Perspectives Mary Selvig Framing by Michele Meester
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ocated in the artist community of historical Eastbank Sioux Falls is the unique shop of Mary Selvig Framing. Since 2009, it has been in the Crane building and is one of the many artisan stores on the 8th & Railroad campus. This specialty shop provides a variety of ways to display two or three-dimensional objects or works of art, and has a full array of frames and matting options.
An Artist’s Approach Mary Selvig started her professional career as an artist in 1978. Throughout her career, she has become an award-winning watercolorist and ceramics artist. An innate artist, she has incorporated design in all aspects of her life, from gardening to creating original needlepoint. Her experience in design carries over to her framing business. Through her belief that the style of a frame should enhance and support the art instead of overpowering it, visual hierarchy is achieved; in this way, the artwork is the main focus.
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By repeating hues and textures of frame and mat choices, she connects the elements of the frame to the details of the artwork, creating a cohesive composition. When appropriate, she pairs contrasting styles; for example, framing the 18th century Goya print with a modern, translucent PRISMA frame creates an unexpected juxtaposition.
A Curator’s Approach Most framing will create a safe storage environment for artwork. Due to Mary Selvig’s experiences with the restoration of damaged artworks, however, she knows the importance of protecting art from the unforeseen. She is familiar with the
A Historian’s Approach
standards of properly mounting artwork to substrates, protecting art from damaging sunlight, and uses methods to avoid damage caused by temperature changes or humidity. MSF has earned the trust of many private collectors, businesses, and the local visual art center to not only provide an aesthetically pleasing display but also to create the most secure and safe environment for their artwork.
Everyone has history. Sometimes we place the objects of our lives in a drawer or attic. MSF can take those objects and create the ultimate “custom” displays to commemorate that history. Looking at the walls of Mary Selvig Framing, it seems that there is no limit to what objects can be displayed. From signed professional sports jerseys to antique Japanese fans or from a paper sack puppet made by a 1st grader to an intricately beaded Native American chest plate, Mary tells the story of each. The encased memories of an heirloom once held by a grandparent or the ribbons and medals representing one’s service in the military can be remembered and honored daily. from left clockwise
Goya “The Parasol”; Native American medicine bag; Martin Wanserski postal worker; Heirloom photos and watch.
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The Urban Farmhouse
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Gardening is a way to bring a little of the country life into your own urban backyard. Vintage items and
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architectural elements add a whimsical touch to your garden oasis. In addition to these, you’ll need the tools of the trade and apparel which is chic but practical.
“Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens.” -Thomas Jefferson
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5 1 | Resin Bird “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” $5, birdbust.com 2 | Wind chimes Metal crescent moons, suns and stars. $15, windsong.com 3 | Sun Hat Woven reed hat with tan strap. $15, Kohls.com
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4 | Apron 100% heavy cotton, pockets for tools. $45, Plums.com
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5 | Greenman Plaque Terracotta sculpture with hanger on back. $25, Lewis Drug 6 | Aveda Spray Chakra 6 centers on the intuition chakra. $45, OdorsRUS.com
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7 | Garden Gloves Miracle Grow® waterproof gloves. $45, Menards.com
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8 | Hydrangea with glass vase Available through all seasons. $15, Garden Florists 9 | Watering Can Galvanized 1.5 gallon watering can $25, Fleet&Farm 10 | Moss Ball Accent for floral arrangements. $10, The Flower Mill 11 | Vintage Birdcage Milk blue with perch and door. $15, eddies.com 12 | Vintage Pot McCoy vintage flower pot. $45, ebay.com 13 | Heirloom Tomatoes Grown locally, Golden Cherry tomatoes are delicious. $3/lb, The Food Coop 14 | Cast Iron Birds Heavy cast iron bird figurines for outdoor use. $35/pair, Simply Perfect
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15 | Hand Rake Fletcher super gripe hand rake. $15, The Greenhouse
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16 | Clippers Fletcher heavy-duty garden clippers. $15, Plums.com
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Water & Wine J
oin us for a unique wine and dining experience within the newly renovated Queen Bee Mill bistro location at the top of historical Sioux Falls Park. Enjoy the scenic views which inspired the name of our city while enjoying the unique bouquet of this region’s vineyards.
Call for reservations at 1-605-415-9911. For menu information www.WineandWater.com.
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Keeping Promises
A proprietor of fine handcrafted kaleidoscopes, woodblock prints and uniquely curious gifts.
Little Raven Design Co.
High Garden Florists
www.etsy.com/shop/LittleRavenDesignCo
Elite Plaza • 1300 South Manor Ave • Sioux Falls, SD
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Queen Bee Honey Mill
eginning in 1943, our grandfather took lessons from nature and started an adventure to remain true to the harvesting of raw honey. We continue that legacy still today to bring our customers the glorious aromatic and amber hues of this natural sweetener. Our honey is never pasteurized so the naturally produced enzymes and healing properties of raw honey remain. The hives are maintained around the seemingly endless rolling hills of Clover Hills, Minnesota. Purple globe clover cascades over the hilltops as far as the eye can see.
Clover Hills, MN www.QueenBeeHoneyMill.com
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