Commercial/Retail Project:

L1 Retail Store + Creative Business Incubator — Arts + Public Life, University of Chicago

Collaborated on the creative direction, branding, and interior aesthetic for the L1 Retail Store, a 700-square-foot retail and entrepreneurship space operated by Arts + Public Life. Located at 319 E Garfield Blvd, the store is housed inside the historic first CTA “L” station, originally built in 1892 to transport visitors to the World’s Fair. Since 2021, Arts + Public Life has renovated and activated L1 to strengthen South Side cultural production, expand economic opportunity, and eliminate traditional barriers to entry for emerging creatives.

The retail space was designed to support the L1 Creative Business Accelerator Fellowship, where three cohorts of local entrepreneurs received free brick-and-mortar retail presence, allowing them to build customer relationships, test product merchandising, and grow their brands. Every purchase directly benefited the fellows, contributing to economic vitality on Chicago’s South Side.

My design work included developing the store’s interior aesthetic, color direction, and visual storytelling, in partnership with the project architect. The final palette featured denim-inspired blue walls, warm light natural wood tones, custom millwork by South Side master craftsman Norman Teague, and modern accents such as a custom neon sign. I also created in-store signage, merchandising layouts, window treatments, and promotional materials to ensure a cohesive brand experience that elevated each entrepreneur’s products while honoring the history and cultural significance of the space.