Meet Annie Stout | Artist & Graphic Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Annie Stout and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Annie, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I chose a creative career because it’s the only path that ever made sense to me. I did well in other subjects in school, but none of them lit me up the way that art did. I thought if I could find a way to use my artistic instincts to work, and help people that it would really be the greatest thing I could do with my career.

When I was a child, my mom kept a book that had a page for every year of school. Every single year under the ‘what do you want to be when you grow up?’ section I listed something artistic. It’s how my brain works. It’s how I interact with the world. It’s who I am. I’m a maker.

I firmly believe that suppressing the creativity in me would be a disservice to myself and those around me. I could not see myself finding fulfillment in a non-creative career. I also hold the belief that the talents we’re gifted should be harnessed and shared with the world. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to build a business that allows me to do that.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Paper Heart Design Co. is a graphic design firm that empowers small businesses, artists, and nonprofits to share their unique stories through beautiful design, art, and a supportive creatives community. We specialize in logo design and branding, marketing materials, color consulting, digital marketing, and more.

What sets us apart is our collaborative approach to design. We believe in listening to the client’s story, understanding the “why” behind their business, and identifying their ideal customers. Only then can we create visuals that truly showcase their narrative. This client-centric approach differentiates us from many other graphic designers.

Another unique facet is my background as a multidisciplinary visual artist, in addition being a graphic designer. This dual perspective allows us to combine artistic creativity with visual problem-solving, providing a distinct and well-rounded point of view.

While we have clients from various locations, my proudest design and art achievements come from working with local businesses and nonprofits in our Midland County community. Supporting their journey from inception to reality, or helping an established business upgrade their look, is incredibly rewarding.

I’m also very proud of the collaborative work I get to do with the Midland Area Community Foundation. Through design and digital marketing, I have the privilege of helping tell the stories of inspiring initiatives like Public Arts Midland, the Art Seen Festival, and more. Additionally, I’m honored to be part of the team that took the Communities of Excellence framework and created Max Loves Midland as the public interface for the citizens of Midland County. Max Loves Midland is a free hub for community resources, connections, events, and stories.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh, this is a fun question! First, I’d check Max Loves Midland’s community calendar to see what events were happening when they would be there. I would hope for some live music or a trivia night. We’d begin with a visit to Ashman Plaza, sipping beverages from Live Oak Coffeehouse and checking out my new office upstairs.
No trip to Midland is complete without experiencing the Tridge, a three legged bridge where three rivers converge. We’d catch a show or join a class at Creative 360 or the Midland Center for the Arts. On a sunny day, a stroll through Dow Gardens and Whiting Forest is a must.

We would dedicated a day to the Public Arts Midland scavenger hunt map, that I got to help create, and we could check out all the amazing public art in our town and get some fun pictures while we’re at it!

Chippewa Nature Center is a must see and Dahlia Hill is beautiful to visit too. Depending on the season we could go to a Great Lakes Loons game or a Saginaw Spirit game. Midland’s Downtown area is really awesome too. There are a ton of shops to wander and great restaurants!

I’m a homebody, so that’s probably all I could handle in a week! I know I missed something, but those are some of my favorites.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Absolutely! I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to Reneé Deckrow, whose belief in me and her need for logo design for her businesses in 2016 led to a pivotal moment in my career. She encouraged me to join her support group for women entrepreneurs, BRAVE, which became the catalyst for my growth as an artist and graphic designer.

BRAVE was where my dreams took shape and my confidence in my work and business grew. The supportive community within BRAVE has been instrumental in my journey, and I owe much of my success to them. The guidance and mentorship from this group transformed my business trajectory. In fact, just last week, I moved out of my home office and into a suite in the same building where we meet. Today, I co-lead these meetings with Reneé and Dacia Parker under The Ashman Collective, where we pool our creative skills to support fellow entrepreneurs. It’s been an incredible journey, and I couldn’t have done it without their support.

Website: http://paperheartdesign.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paperheartdesign

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paperheartdesign

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaperHeartDesign

Other: https://www.pinterest.com/paperheartdesign

Image Credits
Captured Photography photolodico