"Downtown is good for Business”
By Mark Schmitz

• Mark Schmitz works for Zebradog Studios (ZD Studios), located in downtown Madison , which is a branding firm that develops graphic and color schemes for downtown signage and themes, as well as other large projects, such as stadiums.
• The signage or theme of a downtown is often overlooked in the planning process, but they are important to consider because they help people identify your downtown area and make it more aesthetically pleasing.
• Design firms are attracted to downtowns and historical buildings because they allow and inspire creativity
• Having coffee shops and restaurants within walking distance of their office is a main reason Zebradog is located downtown
• Public transportation access is another reason for locating downtown. Zebradog pays for employees who choose to take the bus to work, otherwise parking is $100/month.
• The State Street Design Project
• Zebradog is designing the signs, maps, planters, bus shelters, lampposts, and other objects for the State Street redevelopment in Madison .
• One major feature of the new signage will be the increased emphasis on differentiating the blocks of State Street by naming them and giving each a color.
• Signs identifying the “State Street District” will be placed a block and a half off of State Street to notify visitors that they are getting close to the street.
• The Pabst Farms Development
• Zebradog is responsible for naming all the streets of the Pabst Farms development in Oconomowoc as well as designing all of the signage.
• Signage that is well done creates a brand for the area that residents and visitors identify with. This brand is helpful when trying to find tenants or sell property in Pabst Farms.
• Lambeau Field Renovation in Green Bay , WI
• The challenge of Lambeau Field was to give the stadium a fresh look while preserving the history of the building and team.
• Preserving history is a challenge that many downtowns face when they redevelop. It is important that they create a theme that is appealing and embraces the history of the area.
• Camp Randall Stadium in Madison , WI
• Like Lambeau Field, the challenge of redeveloping Camp Randall Stadium is preserving the historic character of the building in its signage.
• In addition, Camp Randall acts as the gateway to the University of Wisconsin campus from the west, and thus must create a feeling of entrance to the campus.