DETROIT: URBAN ADVENTURE + EXPLORATION

The prospect of spending three days scouting Detroit on a mission to discover and meet some of the urban pioneers of the elusive design community I'd heard about sounded like an adventure - yet I was skeptical. Like most, the stories I'd read were the dire headlines touting crime and bankruptcy. Instead, what I discovered was a surprising, incredibly diverse and slightly underground community of optimistic and dedicated designers, manufacturers, and cottage industries. Could it be the Brooklyn of thirty years ago?

SIGNAL RETURN LETTERPRESS

'Made in Detroit' is a matter of intense pride. The historical epicenter of American manufacturing seems to attract a certain type: tenacious, undaunted, skilled, and courageous. These are the people behind many of the places and businesses we sought out and listed below. There are many yet to discover... a second trip awaits. As for a similarity to Brooklyn, just give it time.

Detroit Mercantile
Signal / Return Letterpress
Germack Coffee Roasters
The Inn on Ferry Street
Detroit Cargo
Detroit Denim
Salt & Cedar Letterpress
Smith Shop - Metal Work 
DeVries & Co. - Market
Charles Lang Freer House
Boston-Edison Neighborhood
The Fischer Building
Belle Isle
Eastern Market
Campus Martius

POSTER BY SIGNAL RETURN LETTERPRESS

IN THE MIDST OF RESTORATION

WOLVERINE BOOTS | THE DETROIT MERCHANTILE

DEVRIES & CO. @ EASTERN MARKET

THE INN ON FERRY STREET:  A BED AND BREAKFAST COMPRISED OF SIX HISTORIC BUILDINGS

BELLE ISLE WILDLIFE

CANADA AS SEEN ACROSS THE REMARKABLY CLEAN DETROIT RIVER - THE BARGE IS CARRYING...SALT?

PATH TO BELLE ISLE LIGHTHOUSE

BOSTON EDISON NEIGHBORHOOD: A FEW EXAMPLES OF INCREDIBLE HOMES

ALL PHOTOS BY KATHLEEN WILLS.
FOR PERMISSION TO USE THEM, PLEASE CONTACT US BY EMAIL: KATHLEEN@KATHLEENWILLS.COM