FLORES DESIGN STUDIO
KATIE DONOVAN
FEBRUARY 9, 2012
Miguel and Corina Ferreyra-Flores were high school sweethearts and while they were drawn together for many reasons, no doubt a special chemistry played a role. Years later these two seem like an unbreakable pair who finish each other’s thoughts in conversation and share the same values on a host of topics. However, it is their artistic roots and sensibilities that have created a common ground for them – one that would be the foundation for their business startup and provide fertile ground for serving clients through their branding and design firm, Flores Design Studio.
Corina simultaneously graduated high school and college at the age of 17 with an Associate’s Degree in Graphic Design from Washtenaw Community College and was recognized as a top scholar by the Ann Arbor News. After he and Corina were married, Miguel graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelors in Fine Arts and a minor in Classical Guitar. Miguel brings a background in music, film, modeling and art to his graphic design skills.
After college, both Corina and Miguel found themselves working together for an Ann Arbor-based ad agency. They had started working there as hourly employees but felt they were being pressured to accept salaried positions. After doing the math they decided that working for themselves provided a much better opportunity – the chance to meet face-to-face with clients. And, when working long hours on behalf of their clients they would be growing their own business at the same time. “At first we felt that we were kind of forced into going on our own,” said Corina. “Now, we wouldn’t have it any other way.”
In the early days of their business development the two could be found most often at a local Ann Arbor coffee shop, utilizing the free Wi-Fi, and prowling a nearby bookstore for research purposes and creative inspiration. “There was a period of about four months where we ate oatmeal once a day, and that was it,” shared Miguel. “It was feast or famine… or more famine.”
Corina’s artistic talents include a gift for illustration, which was put to good use for one of their favorite clients – Good People Popcorn. Her work can be seen on the Good People Popcorn website where kernels of popcorn take on personas according to their unique flavor. Miguel’s own musical talents with classical guitar made another client’s website, created for a musical artist Victor Marquez Barrios, a labor of love. Like most projects at Flores Design Studio, Corina and Miguel contributed on design elements for both these two branding projects.
For logo development jobs the Flores Design team each go “old school,” taking up pen and paper to quickly sketch out several design concepts. They select the best in the bunch and move to their computers to bring the designs to life. Then, they swap designs and critique, collaborate and refine the logo options. This is a real benefit to clients because they have two designers bringing twice the number of options to the table for consideration.
When designing their own logo, the couple collaborated on a design that was inspired by the headstock of a 1929 -era classical guitar crafted by Francisco Simplicio, a nod to their musical interests and Latino/a roots. Corina also plays the guitar and when the two need a break from designing they’ll pick up their guitars for a classical music duet. “We are together 24/7 and we never seem to tire of each other,” shared Miguel.
Miguel and Corina have plans for Flores Design Studio to be a family business. This past year, they moved back to Lansing, Miguel’s hometown, and have brought younger brother, Elias Ferreyra-Flores into the business to assist with web coding and development. A plus for the business and the family, as the couple’s mentoring of young Elias keeps him out of trouble and focused on his schoolwork.
Combining their artistic talents and interests with their passion for branding, design and marketing has proven to be a winning combination for this duo. Flores Design Studio is located in a live/work loft space near downtown Lansing, and the Ferreyra-Flores’ have occupied a nearby coffee shop and bookstore to feed their creative engines. They are looking forward to opening up their own office space in the region to attract new Lansing area projects to add to their existing list of Southeast Michigan clients.
