This August brought some focus on Flooded Studios, and along with it came a feature in the Simcoe Business Times.
The article is written by Jennifer Harker and can be read below.

—

Flooded Studios a supplier to the stars

Iconic television personality David Letterman has one of his custom-designed shirts. Carter Beauford of the Dave Matthews Band has almost two dozen.

The shirts are the creative work of graphic designer Joe Beausoleil. Working from his full service Flooded Studios in Midland, his design work has expanded well beyond letterhead and business cards. “I am a visual communicator,” he said.

“I do branding, creating an identity for a business that carries through all their marketing materials and printing materials.”

Branding’s aim is to develop an immediately-recognizable identity.

While logo design and designs for print and apparel are core concentrations for Flooded Studios, there’s no limit to the diverse projects Beausoleil tackles. He once designed an ice sculpture, where his artwork was transformed into a sculpted liquor fountain in Vancouver.

“It was a neat project to work on something so random. That’s what I love about my job. You don’t know what you will get day-to-day.”

Beausoleil launched his business in 2009. “I did an internship with DraftFCB in Toronto working with clients like Hershey’s, Purolator and TD Bank through the agency. I graduated just as they had a hiring freeze.”

So, despite glowing reviews of his work, Beausoleil was left without a job.

He made his own, returning home to start Flooded Studios designing items for softball clubs in Minnesota and California and paintball teams in Nova Scotia.

“That’s the beauty of being web-based – I can have clients anywhere.”

Working from home, he designed a jersey for Beauford. Soon the drummer was ordering numerous shirts.

“He has 20 of my jerseys and wants more. They recently did 27 shows and he wore Flooded jerseys for 25 of them.”

As Letterman was winding down his show, the band made an appearance. When Letterman thanked the band, he asked Beauford where he got the jersey, and Flooded Studios got a shout out on international television before the drummer presented Letterman with his own Flooded Studios custom jersey.

This summer, Midland Council members are also sporting Beausoleil designed T-shirts, as councillor Cody Oschefski wanted to create more of a team vibe and approached the local designer.

That personal approach is essential to his success Beausoleil said, as he works with other downtown businesses like Ciboulette et Cie and Kelly Moss Photography.

“It’s almost faceless if you work in a bigger area. Here I can go and meet with them face-to-face. I can connect and experience their brand, their store, their service. I don’t have to guess their personality.”

— Graphic design is about visual communication and Joe Beausoleil says his Flooded Studios is bringing a new level of branding to local business.