DEVELOPING CREATIVE CAREERS AT THE MILL AGENCY
university can participate . Students contribute their own unique talents to solve their clients ’ problems , while getting the chance to put lessons they ’ ve learned in classes to the test . Combining classroom and real-world experiences is a key part of what makes The Mill special .
“ I took principles and practices of PR , and I learned how to write press releases and communication campaigns that were used in The Mill ,” said sophomore Business Communication major Ebony Woodbury . “ I learned how to be adaptable and teachable for future projects . It was interesting to see the information I learned in previous courses being used in a real word experience .”
LEARNING TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES
Collaboration comes with its own set of challenges . At The Mill , students learn how to create work that incorporates feedback from not only their professors , but also from their peers
and clients . “ Since we are working together as a class to create an identity , I have learned how to take constructive criticism and give constructive criticism ,” said senior Graphic Design major Jessica Hernandez . “ I have been able to fully immerse myself in an environment where we create for a client . This is something that I have been able to apply to my other classes .”
Michaela Watts ’ 24 and Briana Danziger ’ 23 collaborate in The Mill Agency space .
PROJECT Spotlight
THE OBSERVATORY AT PATTERSON PARK
Earth Day 2023 was the culmination of The Mill ’ s latest project . In Fall 2022 , Stevenson students began working with the Friends of Patterson Park . The project centered on the Observatory , an iconic structure in Patterson Park . The students ’ task was to help develop messaging and deliverables to encourage the public to refer to the structure by its original name , the Observatory , instead of its more popular name , the “ Pagoda ”. As part of this broad , ongoing effort , the students had opportunities to work alongside other community organizations and businesses .
Patterson Park ’ s Observatory is a Baltimore City landmark . Built in 1891 , it is a focal point of the park and has long served as a spot where residents can gather , relax , and enjoy views of the city . The Observatory ’ s Asian-inspired architecture reflects popular trends at the end of the 19th century . However , this design choice also led to the structure becoming popularly
The new logo The Mill Agency created for the Patterson Park Observatory . known as the “ Pagoda ”, a name that does not reflect its intended use .
To encourage the public to readopt the original name ,
The Mill team revised signage and print materials , designed a new logo , created new merchandise and promotional materials , and on Saturday , April 22 , 2023 — Earth Day — conducted a public outreach event in Patterson Park . The students were at the park handing out promotional products and educating the public about the Observatory and its history , while explaining the reasons behind its “ rebranding ”.
Grant DeVivo ’ 24 presenting the insights behind the Observatory ’ s new branding .
Merchandise and promotional materials designed by The Mill to promote the Observatory .
17 | VENTURES / SUMMER 2023