Select Page

Wurst Behavior: Summerfest mural created by MIAD student

An interactive digitally designed mural of a hot dog bun with a speech bubble that says

Sammi Micklewright, Johnsonville Summerfest mural, 2023

Concertgoers at Milwaukee’s Summerfest might well pose with a mural created by Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) student Sammi Micklewright ’24. Designed for longtime MIAD partner Johnsonville, Micklewright coordinated with MIAD’s Lubar Innovation Center to complete the interactive mural.

“I had a great experience with the Innovation Center and Johnsonville to complete this project,” says Micklewright, who is currently studying Communication Design at MIAD. In spite of a tight turnaround time of a few weeks, Micklewright enjoyed the collaborative experience of working with Johnsonville and the Innovation Center. The MIAD Lubar Innovation Center connects real-world clients with MIAD students to complete paid projects like this one.

“I am super excited to see my mural up at Summerfest,” Micklewright adds. “[I] have been really enjoying seeing people post pictures with it on social media. It is great to see people interact with my work, as this was the goal of the project!” The design went through several iterations, which Micklewright revised based on client feedback. The final installation is an interactive photo op located on the Summerfest grounds.

As a student, Micklewright has already interned and worked as a graphic design intern with several clients. She currently works as a graphic design intern at Great Wolf Lodge and does freelance work for the University of Illinois Chicago. “MIAD has prepared me for taking on projects of this nature by teaching me the importance of deadlines, critique and professionalism,” Micklewright explains. “It is incredibly important to be able to meet due dates, as well as apply feedback and correspond professionally with clients.”

Keep up with Sammi on her website and Instagram, and learn more about the MIAD Lubar Innovation Center!

News

MIAD elects new trustees Paul Fletcher and Jacqualyn Laughlin

Paul Fletcher, a principal product designer at LinkedIn, and Jacqualyn Laughlin, co-founder of Invisible Ink Partners, were elected members of the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design’s Board of Trustees at the college’s annual meeting in June.

Double ASID award winner is inspired by nature and internships

Rising senior at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) Adam Wold ’27 received two awards in May from the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). The Interior Architecture and Design (IAD) major won the Silver Award in the Commercial category and the Bronze Award in the Residential category.

MIAD faculty, alumni shine at WI Visual Art Achievement Awards

Professor Leslie Fedorchuk and alumni of the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) received four of the eight individual 2026 Wisconsin Visual Art Achievement Awards for “their significant contributions to the state’s creative culture.”

Pallas Textiles competition provides real-world experience

First-place winner Sophia Simonson ’28 created Refractions as part of her MIAD studies in Interior Architecture and Design. She is one of 20 students studying at MIAD through a cross-registration program with Concordia University. MIAD students Kaitlyn Powers ’26 (Illustration) and Natalie Spetell ’27 (Product Design), both of whom have minors in Communication Design, received Honorable Mentions.