818 and Via Partnership Join Imagine Iowa Great Lakes Design Team

818 is a Des Moines-based design studio that specializes in brand development for businesses, product labeling for the brewing and hospitality industries, and environmental graphic design, including wayfinding, signage, and event displays. “At 818, we leverage creativity and design to move our clients’ interests forward. Being Iowa natives, we know the Okoboji area holds a special place in many people’s hearts, and we’re looking forward to helping both residents and visitors more easily reach key destinations,” said Rachel Abel, 818 partner and designer. Via Partnership is a St. Louis-based consulting group that develops comprehensive public art strategies and facilitates public art projects. Via works with public agencies, developers, cultural organizations, and community groups across the United States and Canada to plan, curate, and produce public art. “Our team is thrilled with the opportunity to build on the Imagine vision and elevate it through the development of a public art strategy,” said Meridith McKinley, founding partner of Via. “The opportunities for public art throughout the Imagine project area are unparalleled, and we’re anxious to work with the team to define those catalytic projects.” 818 and Via Partnership will be working alongside the rest of the McClure-led design team and area stakeholders over the coming months to develop the wayfinding and public art strategies. —– Imagine Iowa Great Lakes aims to enhance Lake Okoboji for the residents and visitors of today and tomorrow. The initiative creates a strategic vision to guide beautification and enhancement efforts in the Okoboji area, specifically along the Highway 71 corridor. Imagine is guided by a board of directors that work in collaboration with the design team. The team is led by McClure and includes Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects, Beck Engineering, Inc., Blink Marketing, Sackett Law Firm, Steffes Companies, 818, and Via Partnership.