ZD Studios is a multi–disciplined Visual Design and Branding firm focused on visualizing your core truth.
We believe in holistic visual planning. Design that intentionally integrates all of your messaging.
ZD Studios (aka. Zebradog) is an Environmental Graphic Design firm specializing in strategic visual brand planning.
We develop authentic visual experiences for our clients to fully leverage their unique cultures within their facilities, collateral and digital interfaces.
Our "Experience Design" Services
Signature Exhibit + Display : : Visual Brand (logo) Identity Development Museum / Hall of Fame Design : : Historical Timelines / Legacy Walks
Dynamic Website Development : : New Media and Interface Design
Stadium and Arena Theme : : Integrated Wayfinding Interpretive Sign Development : : Donor Recognition Programs
Here’s what’s goin’ on this month at ZD…
“Culture eats Strategy for breakfast…” In other words… Respect, appreciate and honor the cultural environment in which change occurs.
FREDRICK MILLER REBORN IN CHICAGO STUDIO
We are bringing Fredrick Miller back to life in a wonderous 180i hi–def illusion for the historic Miller Caves Make sure to take the famous (and free of charge) MILLER TOUR later this August to see it. Fredrick will surprise and amaze you when he comes to life out of an old hand painted mural. The ZD production design crew of David Fleer, Mark Schmitz, Brad Milsap, Chris Moore and Matt Ahrens managed to “test” a great deal of Miller product for proper authenticity.
The 2007–08 University of Wisconsin Men’s Basketball program cover, designed by ZD Studios was awarded “Best Cover in the Nation” by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America).
The annual competition judges game programs from almost every collegiate athletic program in the country and winning best cover distinction from a pool of hundreds is truly an honor.
EARTH DAY 2008: We had the honor of presenting a new visual brand plan to The Wilderness Society in Washington DC today. ZD was retained to assist this very prestigious environmental protection organization with its public image. An honor we will never forget.
Corporate Identity Awards
ZD Studios was just recognized with several awards in the 24th annual American Corporate Identity design competition. Over 23 countries are represented within this international design competition.
ZD receives the Printing Industries of Wisconsin Award of Excellence for the Wisconsin Historical Society "Forward!" Brochure. The brochure features the debut of the Wisconsin Historical Societies new brand we recently designed.
Category: Logo and Corporate Identity
TCF Bank Stadium – Identity for the 2009 home of Golden Gopher football. $190 million new stadium project.
Wisconsin Historical Society – A comprehensive logo family developed for this amazing organization that was founded two years before Wisconsin became a state. 1846. We developed a brand architecture of logos for 10 historical sites around the state of Wisconsin.
Category: Website Design
Raven Software – ZD WINS BEST OF CATEGORY for this site co designed with Raven staff illustrators. http://www.ravensoft.com
Category: Environmental Graphic Design Programs
Sub Zero | Wolf Museum – We developed an amazing walk through time for this uniquely American story. Comprehensive new media displays, restored products from the 1940’s and family memorabilia exhibits.
Badger Alley and Heritage Hall – UW-Madison
Badger Alley – An immersive 600' walk through 150 years of history adorning the main concourse of Historic Camp Randall Stadium.
Heritage Hall – The National W Club with its 75 years of athletic history has a permanent home within Heritage Hall. ZD developed all of the signature history exhibits and donor recognition environments to insure a lasting Legacy for all letter winners at the UW.
Category: Sustainable Environmental Graphic Design Programs
Marshall Erdman Corporate Headquarters A comprehensive EGD plan for a LEED Gold Certified building. Signature exhibits, employee recognition displays and interactive new media “Knowledge Nodes” mirror the culture of this 50 year old company poised for significant growth within the healthcare facility design/development.
March 2008 Mark Schmitz, ZD Studios Principal and Creative Director was a featured speaker at the 2008 Spring Conference of the APA (American Planning Conference) and the ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects). His topic: "Community Branding". Mark reviewed the process and pains of developing visual imaging programs for small communities, urban infill developments and city regions. ZD is presently developing two such programs for Middleton Wisconsin and the Lakeshore Nature Preserve in Madison, Wisconsin.