When people talk about Detroit, they’re often bemoaning the city’s crime rates or discussing the mismanagement of its finances. Rarely are they celebrating the fact that Detroit is a city filled with architectural gems constructed by world-renowned architects.
We think this needs to change.
We formed Design for Detroit to remind people that from its historic Art Deco skyscrapers to its beautiful Victorian mansions, to its modern structures of steel and glass, Detroit has some of the most iconic buildings in the United States.
We work with local Detroit artists to produce one-of-a-kind designs that focus on Detroit’s architecture and its historic neighborhoods. We then turn these designs into limited edition sets of t-shirts and stickers that are given as perks to our top supporters. 100% of Design for Detroit’s net proceeds are donated to Preservation Detroit, an organization that preserves, promotes, and protects the beautiful neighborhoods and structures that define the city.
Donate today to help preserve Detroit’s architecture and reserve a limited edition piece of Detroit art.
Preserve Detroit Architecture, Reserve Detroit Swag
Here are the details:
Much of Detroit's architecture is in danger of being forgotten or demolished. We’re trying to do our part by raising at least $5,000 to put towards preserving and promoting Detroit’s architecture.
Design for Detroit’s perks are one of a kind. Based on your donation amount, you’ll receive a limited edition t-shirt or sticker with a design by local Detroit artist. We currently have four local artists who will be submitting designs, and you’ll be able to pick the design you prefer when the campaign ends.
Even if we don’t reach our goal, we’ll still be donating all the campaign proceeds to Preservation Detroit.
Our Impact
This campaign will help Preservation Detroit continue their important work of preserving, promoting, and protecting Detroit’s architectural treasures.
Not only does Preservation Detroit have a hand in advocating for the preservation of historic buildings, these preservation efforts preservation efforts also bring new jobs and economic activity to the city and boost tourism. We hope to contribute at least $5,000 to Preservation Detroit’s efforts.
Your contribution will go towards:
Identification of and advocacy for historic buildings in Detroit
Community engagement to boost visibility of historic buildings and neighborhoods
Guided tours of Detroit’s architecture and historic neighborhoods that increase awareness and drive new donations
Our Artists
We currently have four Detroit artists committed to creating one-of-a-kind artwork that will be printed on t-shirts and stickers at the end of this campaign. We’ll distribute a survey at the end of this campaign allowing you to pick which of the designs you’ll receive. As the artists complete their designs, we’ll post more of them to this campaign. We anticipate that several other artists will join Design for Detroit over the course of the campaign.
Maureen O’Brien
Maureen O'Brien grew up in a suburb of Detroit and attended the University of Michigan where she studied architecture. Though she plans to move to Denver, Colorado next year, her heart will always reside in Detroit.
Justin Hein
Justin studied fine arts at the University of Michigan at the Penny W. Stamps School of Art and Design and currently lives in Hamtramck. Justin has done graphic design for everyone from Zingermann's to the Boys and Girls Club. You can view his portfolio here.
Alexandra Kaufman
Alex Kaufman grew up in Northern California and moved to Detroit in 2013 after earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She began fine art from an early age, learning from artist/grandfather Max Kaufman and artist/aunt Carol Kaufman, both working out of Los Angeles at the time. Currently working as a graphic designer, her day-to-day work is informed by ultra-modern designers like Stefan Sagmeister, Bob Mytton and Jony Ive. In her studio work, she is most strongly influenced by a mixture of early German and Austrian Expressionism and American Contemporary artists.
Melissa Nurre
Melissa Nurre attended the University of Michigan and currently lives and works in Detroit as the creative director at Ginkgotree, a CMS for college course readings and content. You can view some of Melissa's work here.
The Perks
(We post designs for our perks as our artists finish them.)
M1 Rail by Alexandra Kaufman
Detroit Skyline by Alexandra Kaufman
Burbank Revitalization (sticker) by AnMaree Williams
Contribute Art to Design for Detroit
We're always looking for more Detroit artists interested in contributing their work to support Detroit's historic architecture. Contact us at artists.design4detroit@gmail.com to get involved.