Summer Fun Day 2024

At NeigerDesign, summer isn't just about soaking up the sun—it’s about creativity, inspiration, and a full day of fun in the heart of Chicago. Every year, we take a break from the studio to explore art, culture, and, of course, some amazing food. This year’s theme? "Spins and Strolls," where we spun clay and strolled through Chicago’s architectural history. Here’s a peek into our adventure.

Morning Kick-off: Breakfast & Art

We kicked things off in Logan Square at Caribella, where the air was thick with the mouthwatering aromas of vanilla and cinnamon. This Caribbean café was the perfect spot to fuel up with a breakfast that was equal parts delicious and artistic—each plate as unique as the art on the walls. Nothing says “designer heaven” like a space where flavors and visuals dance together! Afterward, we dove into a creative tradition: each team member shared a unique presentation on a topic of their choice, all aimed at improving our clients' results. From web development to annual report design, we covered it all—including some surprising insights on how even color theory can boost engagement (keep an eye out in the upcoming months as we begin publishing each article!) First up, Taming the Tech Tiger: How to Choose the Right Website Platform for Your Organization.

Summer Fun Day... In Style!

This year, we all rocked custom T-shirts featuring an incredible tiger graphic designed by NeigerDesign graphic design intern Jackie Bonilla. The cool design brought extra energy to the day, and we're proud to give her a special shoutout for this amazing work! (If you think this is impressive, check out Jackie's portfolio.)

Surprises Along the Way

On our way to the pottery studio, Carol led us to a hidden gem: the famous “Greetings from Chicago” mural on Milwaukee Ave. Who can resist an impromptu photo op with some colorful street art? Jonathan our Creative Director sprung right into action. 

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Gettin' Our Hands Dirty: Pottery at Epic Art House

Next stop: Epic Art House, where the "spins" part of the day took center stage. We donned our aprons, gathered around the wheels, and let our creativity loose. There was clay flying, wheels turning, and a few lopsided pots (all part of the fun!). Each of us brought something different to the table—whether it was a perfectly sculpted vase or an artistic masterpiece... in progress.

Refuel in Wrigleyville

Covered in clay but hungry for more (food, that is!), we made our way to Wrigleyville’s Uncommon Ground. A local favorite, this farm-to-table restaurant made sure we refueled with fresh, organic food, all grown from their sidewalk farm. Who knew eating clean could taste so good?

The Stroll: Chicago’s Architectural Legends

The “stroll” portion of the day led us to Graceland Cemetery, a beautiful and historic resting place for many of Chicago's famous architects. Each Neiger team member researched a different architect and shared some fun, quirky stories along the way. It was a creative spin on history—Neiger style!

Sweet Finale: Pretty Cool Ice Cream

No adventure is complete without dessert! We ended the day at Pretty Cool Ice Cream, a charming little spot founded by award-winning pastry chef Dana Cree. With handmade ice cream in flavors that ranged from classic to out-of-this-world creative, it was the perfect sweet note to end our day of spins and strolls.

From pottery wheels to ice cream cones, this year’s Summer Fun Day was a reminder that creativity can be found in every corner of Chicago. Until next summer!