ALEXIA KANE
GEMINI
Alexia “Lexi” Kane (she/they) is a graphic designer and art director with over six years of experience in the creative industry. She recieved her Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Communications and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 2021. She currently resides in Omaha, Nebraska and works for Flagship Restaurant Group as a Junior Designer.
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EAU CLAIRE MAKERS’ MARKETEAU CLAIRE, WISCONSIN
ROLES
Co-Founder
Creative Director
Marketing Coordinator
SCOPE
Branding
Social Media
Apparel Design
Web Design
Community Management
PROJECT OVERVIEW
In the autumn of 2021, I embarked on a creative journey alongside my friend, Kala Rehberger, to breathe life into a vision that would redefine the arts and music landscape in the Chippewa Valley. Fueled by our shared passion for artistry and our community, we founded the Eau Claire Makers’ Market, a venture that sought to rejuvenate the arts and music scene post the COVID-19 pandemic.
We started with the conviction that our region deserved a platform for local artists and musicians to shine, reconnecting them with their audience and revitalizing cultural and economic growth. Collaborating closely with Daniel Reich, we embarked on a mission to create a brand that would be both distinctive and relatable, underscoring the seriousness of our endeavor.
BRANDING
Our brand identity was not merely a visual endeavor; it was a strategic choice. We envisioned a brand that exuded warmth and approachability, mirroring our commitment to providing affordable opportunities for budding artists. Vibrant colors formed the canvas of our brand, designed to captivate our diverse audience, comprising university students and local families. The introduction of a mascot/icon lent our brand a recognizable figurehead, setting us apart from unbranded markets.
This branding effort not only strengthened our visual identity but also streamlined our social media strategy. With our crew comprising of college students, a solid brand allowed us to maintain consistency, reinforcing our position in the Eau Claire artistic community.
MEASUREABLE IMPACT
Our markets, through meticulous planning and execution, attracted between 250 to 500 unique customers, a testament to the diversity and vibrancy of our offerings. The growth of our Instagram presence, now boasting over 2300 followers, is a testament to the successful fusion of giveaways, interactive posts, and our genuine, authentic narrative. Our willingness to acknowledge imperfections and fears struck a chord with our audience, allowing our personalities to shine.
In a significant testament to our growing impact, Eau Claire Makers' Market was voted as the #1 Best Holiday Pop-Up Shopping and #2 Best Event of the Past Year by the residents of Northwest Wisconsin in Volume One's yearly "The Best of the Chippewa Valley" Reader Poll. We are deeply honored by this recognition from the community we are dedicated to serving.
MEDIA RECOGNITION
Our journey was chronicled in a couple of media pieces. Two articles published by Volume One captured the essence of our initial year of existence, showcasing our remarkable progress.
In essence, the Eau Claire Makers Market represents not just an event but a transformative force, a testament to the dedication, planning, and creative direction that brought an idea to life. We are committed to sculpting the future of arts and music in the Chippewa Valley and look forward to further enriching our community's cultural and economic vibrancy.