Midwest Product Design: How location unlocks innovation

From storyboards to final frames, we use 3D to bring efficiency and impact to every step of animation. But after a little more exposure to just how wide this industry is (not to mention how uncomfortable a beanbag is as an office chair), most of us came to a similar realization: great design is happening…

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Using 3D Storyboards to Streamline the Animation Process

From storyboards to final frames, we use 3D to bring efficiency and impact to every step of animation. When people think of animation, they often picture a neat assembly line: sketches, storyboards, style frames, and the final big render. But real projects rarely move in neat lines. Deadlines tighten, clients want visibility earlier, and teams…

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Building Story in Motion

A Case Study on Great Storytelling Over the past year, Mertz Design had the opportunity to work with the Ohio Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) State Council to create a series of five unique, character-focused animations that were to be used at their in September 2025 event. Together, we are going to walk through…

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LaunchPad Summer Cohort

Some internships make copies. Ours make brands. LaunchPad puts student designers in the driver’s seat, working with real clients on real projects — and the results speak for themselves. At Mertz Design Studio, we believe the best way to learn design isn’t in a classroom — it’s by doing the real thing. That’s why we…

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Package Design: Steps to Make It Stand Out on the Shelf

Cardboard boxes on white background for banner design

How to Nail Your Package Design: Steps to Make It Stand Out on the Shelf When it comes to packaging, it’s not just about wrapping your product in something pretty—it’s about crafting an experience, a story, and a moment that screams, “Buy me!” Your package is the first thing customers see, and let’s face it—judging…

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How to use Consumer Insights when building your brand

How to Make Use of Consumer Insights in Your Brand Let’s talk about consumer insights—a step that’s more valuable than you might think. Honestly, it can transform your entire brand. From understanding what your audience loves (or hates) to refining your product offerings, consumer insights are the secret sauce that takes your brand from good…

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What is a brand?

What Is a Brand? (Hint: It’s Way More Than Just a Logo) Alright, let’s get one thing straight: your brand is NOT just your logo. Sure, a logo is important (we all love a good design), but it’s only one tiny piece of a much bigger picture. Think of your brand as the hub at…

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LaunchPad Learnings from our Student Designers

Our Spring 2025 Graphic Design co-ops are here to share the student perspective on Mertz Design Studio’s innovative LaunchPad program.  At Mertz Design, we provide students with an internship opportunity like no other. Our revolutionary LaunchPad program partners small businesses and startups with expert designers that mentor a team of student co-ops—at a reduced cost…

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THINK – Our THINK MAKE MOVE Methodology

THINK: The First Step in Launching Your Brand or Product So, you’ve got a killer idea for a brand or product, but now what? Well, at Mertz, we’ve got a tried-and-true methodology to turn that idea into a success story. We call it THINK, MAKE, MOVE, and today, we’re diving deep into the first (and…

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