{"id":1470,"date":"2019-08-15T09:37:35","date_gmt":"2019-08-15T14:37:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogprodproxy.wpengine.com\/?p=1470"},"modified":"2026-03-02T11:06:38","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T16:06:38","slug":"designing-for-designers-custom-direct-mail-for-aiga-minnesota","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/printspiration\/designing-for-designers-custom-direct-mail-for-aiga-minnesota","title":{"rendered":"Designing for Designers: Custom Direct Mail for AIGA Minnesota"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--the_content--><!--block-empty--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-6\"> <p>Great design projects start with a big idea and finish with every detail considered and no opportunity missed. To spark energy and excitement for the 2019 AIGA Minnesota Design Show, storied Minneapolis studio <a href=\"https:\/\/littleco.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Little &amp; Company<\/a> took this approach just as it would with any other client project. Using <a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/pages\/custom-quote\">Custom Quote<\/a>, one of Smartpress&#8217; convenient online printing services, to create <a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/support\/direct-mail\/about-direct-mail\">custom direct mail<\/a>,\u00a0the results are positively electric.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <\/span><\/p> <h2>Key Takeaways<\/h2> <ul> <li><span data-sheets-root=\"1\">Creative Freedom Unleashed: With minimal brand constraints, <a href=\"#celebrating-the-community\">Little &amp; Company embraced the rare opportunity to fully explore and express creativity,<\/a> resulting in a bold, impactful mailer designed specifically to excite and engage the design community.<\/span><\/li> <li><span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><a href=\"#blank-slate\">Despite being a pro bono project, the team treated it with the same rigor<\/a> as paid work, engaging the entire studio in ideation and maintaining high production standards throughout.<\/span><\/li> <li><span data-sheets-root=\"1\">The project pushed the boundaries of digital printing, featuring <a href=\"#electrifying-outcome\">custom folds, envelope conversions and vibrant colors,<\/a> all enabled by Smartpress\u2019 flexible custom direct mail services.<\/span><\/li> <\/ul> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs blockOffset-bottom-sm\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-10\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10\"> <figure class=\"figureContainer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/SMTP001_19_0809_Linked_Comp_4.gif\" alt=\"Custom direct mail\"   \/><figcaption style=\"width: 100%;\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Little &amp; Company design for AIGA Minnesota connects the dots between strategy and design<\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>  <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--> <div class=\"row center-xs blockOffset-top-sm\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-10\"> <div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <h2>A Call for Entries<\/h2> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--> <!--block: 50-50 --><div class=\"row center-xs\" ><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"><div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6\"><!--[col]--> <p>Since 1979, Little has brought together strategists, designers, writers and producers to work with brands including Target, U.S. Bank, Gap, Lowe&#8217;s, Microsoft and Medtronic. The current team consists of \u201cabout 25,\u201d according to creative director <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/ian-davies-0156099\/\">Ian Davies<\/a>, and works out of offices on the northern edge of downtown Minneapolis.<\/p> <!--[\/col]--><\/div> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6\"><!--[col]--> <p>Part of the fabric of the legendary Minnesota design scene, Little was tapped by <a href=\"https:\/\/aigaminnesota.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">AIGA Minnesota<\/a> to design the invitation and call for entries for its 2019 Design Show. An on-again-off-again affair, Design Show had returned after a three-year hiatus. AIGA, the professional association for design, handed Little a design brief that asked them to visualize combining great design with great strategy. With both disciplines in the studio\u2019s DNA, Davies took the idea and ran, eventually landing on his custom direct mail poster.<\/p> <!--[\/col]--><\/div> <\/div><\/div><\/div> <!--\/block--><!--block-empty--> <!--block: 50-50-image --><div class=\"row center-xs blockOffset-bottom-sm\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-10\"><div class=\"row center-xs\"> <p><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6 no-pad blockOffset-top-sm blockOffset-left-sm\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/0023_2019-08-SP-AIGI-Mailer-High-Res.jpg\" alt=\"Two hands holding open a direct mailer printed with a bright orange and teal design.\"   \/><\/div> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6 no-pad blockOffset-bottom-md raisedRight\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/0022_2019-08-SP-AIGI-Mailer-High-Res.jpg\" alt=\"Two hands holding a direct mail poster open with a bright yellow design.\"   \/><\/div><\/p> <\/div><\/div><\/div> <!--\/block--><!--block-empty--> <div class=\"row center-xs blockOffset-top-sm\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <h2 id=\"celebrating-the-community\">Celebrating the Creative Community<\/h2> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-10\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-6\"> <p>A marquee design event in the Upper Midwest, Davies saw the AIGA Minnesota Design Show mailer as an opportunity to celebrate the creativity of the design community. \u201cWe wanted to create something that was visual, had some impact, and got people excited that Show is back,\u201d he said. \u201cLet\u2019s have some fun and embrace what we get to do,\u201d he said.<\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p>\u201cIt\u2019s the one time we actually get to design for designers, so everybody wanted to work on it,\u201d Davies recalled. Collaborative by nature, the studio opened the project to the entire creative team to pitch ideas. \u201cEverybody got a couple of days to throw it all up on the wall and go through creative reviews,\u201d he said. \u201cWithin the first week we narrowed it down from over 25 ideas to maybe five or six. Then we presented just three or four.\u201d<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--> <!--block: 50-50-image --><div class=\"row center-xs blockOffset-bottom-sm\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-10\"><div class=\"row center-xs\"> <p><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6 no-pad blockOffset-top-sm blockOffset-left-sm\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/0015_2019-08-SP-AIGI-Mailer-High-Res-1.jpg\" alt=\"Direct mail marketing pieces lined up in rows with a bright orange, yellow and blue design.\"   \/><\/div><\/p> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6 no-pad blockOffset-bottom-md raisedRight\"><figure class=\"figureContainer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/0021_2019-08-SP-AIGI-Mailer-High-Res.jpg\" alt=\"Two hands holding open a creative mailer designed in bright orange, yellow, white and teal.\"   \/><figcaption style=\"width: 100%;\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">The poster&#8217;s custom fold juxtaposes panels and graphics as it reveals them<\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>  <\/div><\/div><\/div> <!--\/block--><!--block-empty--> <div class=\"row center-xs blockOffset-top-sm\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-10\"> <div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <h2 id=\"blank-slate\">Blank Slate<\/h2> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--> <!--block: 50-50 --><div class=\"row center-xs\" ><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"><div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6\"><!--[col]--> <p>What made the project particularly interesting for Davies and his team was the lack of existing brand standards. \u201cIt\u2019s so fun to have no handcuffs or preconceived ideas. Aside from having a theme, we could just push to come up with an amazing idea, combine it with great design, and make it come to life.\u201d<\/p> <!--[\/col]--><\/div> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6\"><!--[col]--> <p>Despite the pro bono nature of the custom direct mail project, Little approached it as it would any other client work. Led by Davies, the core team of a designer, an account handler, and a project manager tracked the mailer alongside their dozens of other projects. \u201cWe wanted to make sure that we treated it like any other project, not something we just slough off,\u201d Davies said.<\/p> <!--[\/col]--><\/div> <\/div><\/div><\/div> <!--\/block--> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<div id=\"metaslider-id-1322\" style=\"width: 100%;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-62-0 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-1322 ml-slider ml-slider-lightbox-1-12-0 ari-fancy-lightbox-1-3-8 ms-theme-default nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"Slideshow\" aria-label=\"AIGA Design Show Mailer\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_1322\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_1322\">\n            <ul aria-live=\"polite\" class=\"slides\">\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-1496 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-1496\"><a href=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/0008_2019-08-SP-AIGI-Mailer-High-Res.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&s=05bf49fa532bf6b2b1868377fcede9da\" target=\"_self\" class=\"fb-link ari-fancybox\" data-fancybox-group=\"gallery\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/0008_2019-08-SP-AIGI-Mailer-High-Res.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=500&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=500&s=9e5990e5e148d356bfc7a28fa1b0ee0e\"   alt=\"A direct mailer envelope printed with a blue, red and white design and Design Show AIGA Minnesota in the corner.\" class=\"slider-1322 slide-1496\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-1494 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-1494\"><a href=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/0029_2019-08-SP-AIGI-Mailer-High-Res.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&s=da5c2b02862513df80e8093abcd3e55c\" target=\"_self\" class=\"fb-link ari-fancybox\" data-fancybox-group=\"gallery\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/0029_2019-08-SP-AIGI-Mailer-High-Res.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=500&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=500&s=9e75e3caa253c51e1c34858847ea0630\"   alt=\"Two hands pulling a folded direct mail poster out of its envelope with a blue, red and yellow design.\" class=\"slider-1322 slide-1494\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-1488 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-1488\"><a href=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/0011_2019-08-SP-AIGI-Mailer-High-Res.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&s=d1882069c46ceaee729fc7622d73da70\" target=\"_self\" class=\"fb-link ari-fancybox\" data-fancybox-group=\"gallery\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/0011_2019-08-SP-AIGI-Mailer-High-Res.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=500&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=500&s=85160693ab068cc91adea6adb8bd4d25\"   alt=\"A folded direct mail with a yellow, red and blue design and printed with It&#039;s Time on the front.\" class=\"slider-1322 slide-1488\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-1487 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-1487\"><a href=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/0005_2019-08-SP-AIGI-Mailer-High-Res.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&s=17ce8685b1731ec68081bed4ce326641\" target=\"_self\" class=\"fb-link ari-fancybox\" data-fancybox-group=\"gallery\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/0005_2019-08-SP-AIGI-Mailer-High-Res.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=500&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=500&s=07e8b7e5c94bfafcc0d0949857732668\"   alt=\"A direct mail poster printed with a red, blue and yellow design and It&#039;s Time in white.\" class=\"slider-1322 slide-1487\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-1489 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-1489\"><a href=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/0034_2019-08-SP-AIGI-Mailer-High-Res.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&s=b34aadfea5b7f889a20e336babc0a9d9\" target=\"_self\" class=\"fb-link ari-fancybox\" data-fancybox-group=\"gallery\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/0034_2019-08-SP-AIGI-Mailer-High-Res.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=500&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=500&s=64d1904cf0f7f7d6cd7f64a44d67da0c\"   alt=\"Two hands unfolding a direct mail poster with a yellow, white, red, black and blue design.\" class=\"slider-1322 slide-1489\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-1490 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-1490\"><a href=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/0035_2019-08-SP-AIGI-Mailer-High-Res.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&s=5253cb947ae1bb29224eb2aea978d9f6\" target=\"_self\" class=\"fb-link ari-fancybox\" data-fancybox-group=\"gallery\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/0035_2019-08-SP-AIGI-Mailer-High-Res.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=500&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=500&s=09a4e4a7d1e5ad89aafc872d06339acd\"   alt=\"Two hands unfolding a piece of direct mail with a yellow, black and white design.\" class=\"slider-1322 slide-1490\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-1491 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-1491\"><a href=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/0036_2019-08-SP-AIGI-Mailer-High-Res.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&s=328130810c0d430e75d7644ee3e2859e\" target=\"_self\" class=\"fb-link ari-fancybox\" data-fancybox-group=\"gallery\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/0036_2019-08-SP-AIGI-Mailer-High-Res.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=500&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=500&s=471ca80463f342186c1e21b84e08c6a6\"   alt=\"Two hands laying on an unfolded piece of direct mail with a yellow, black and white design.\" class=\"slider-1322 slide-1491\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-1492 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-1492\"><a href=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/0037_2019-08-SP-AIGI-Mailer-High-Res.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&s=54076e47744faa6aff271b902603ae51\" target=\"_self\" class=\"fb-link ari-fancybox\" data-fancybox-group=\"gallery\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/0037_2019-08-SP-AIGI-Mailer-High-Res.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=500&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=500&s=679d3db34547dc5fbb95ab92370b0e8e\"   alt=\"Two hands laying on an unfolded direct mail poster with a blue, red, black and white design.\" class=\"slider-1322 slide-1492\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs blockOffset-top-sm allowclickthru\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-10\"> <div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <h2 id=\"electrifying-outcome\">An Electrifying Outcome With Custom Direct Mail<\/h2> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-10\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-6\"> <p>\u201cThe first time you hear a project is going to be digital, there\u2019s a bit of a collective sigh,\u201d Davies noted. \u201cSo many times, designers want to jump to how it gets executed, like letterpress or silkscreen.\u201d Acknowledging that this comes out of designers\u2019 desire to execute gorgeous creative, Davies was impressed with the Design Show mailer\u2019s outcome. \u201cYou can\u2019t tell it was printed digitally. The bright paper, it\u2019s bold and colorful and visual. It looks amazing.\u201d<\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p>Working with a world-class online printer like Smartpress ensures the final result exceeds expectations every time. With online printing options like size, <a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/support\/stocks-substrates\/small-format-paper-stocks\">paper stock<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/support\/color-ink\/black-vs-full-color-printing\">full-color ink<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/support\/specialty-features\/uv-coating\">UV coatings<\/a>, along with complete <a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/support\/direct-mail\/mailing-and-addressing-services\">mail fulfillment<\/a>, it&#8217;s no wonder Davies&#8217; custom mailer wowed.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-10\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10\"> <figure class=\"figureContainer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/SMTP001_19_0809_Linked_Comp_5.gif\" alt=\"Direct mail advertising\"   \/><figcaption style=\"width: 100%;\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">A custom converted envelope uses every surface available<\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>  <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-10\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-6\"> <p>Little took the project further by designing a unique fold for the poster, creating a front and back to the poster that tile together, and converting the envelope so they could print on its inside. \u201cWe wanted to leave no stone unturned,\u201d said Davies. \u201cWe have a great design community here in Minnesota. We wanted to make sure that whatever we did for AIGA Minnesota upholds that standard of excellence.\u201d<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Hint:<\/strong> <\/em>Wondering how other business owners profit from custom direct mail? Wonder no more:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/printspiration\/bucking-the-trend-a-saas-founders-direct-mail-magazine\">Bucking the Trend: How a SaaS Founder Leverages Direct Mail Magazines<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/printspiration\/blazing-boundaries-a-retailers-effective-print-marketing-strategy\">Blazing Boundaries: A Retailer\u2019s Effective Print Marketing Strategy<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--><!--\/the_content-->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Positively Electric: Creative director Ian Davies of Little &#038; Co. on designing for designers, connecting strategy with design, and the Minnesota design community. \u201cIt\u2019s still so cool to get something that\u2019s printed and tactile.\u201d \r\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":1471,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"sfsi_plus_gutenberg_text_before_share":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_show_text_before_share":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_icon_type":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_icon_alignemt":"","sfsi_plus_gutenburg_max_per_row":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1470","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-printspiration"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Designing for Designers: Custom Direct Mail for AIGA Minnesota<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"See how Little &amp; Company used Smartpress&#039; Custom Quote feature to create custom direct mail. The results are positively electric.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/printspiration\/designing-for-designers-custom-direct-mail-for-aiga-minnesota\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Designing for Designers: Custom Direct Mail for AIGA Minnesota\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"See how Little &amp; Company used Smartpress&#039; Custom Quote feature to create custom direct mail. 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