This week we are recognizing graphic designer Mariisa Franz (yes, two i's and pronounced like a Reese's cup), one of our newest team members. She bleeds Maize and Blue, is very passionate about Detroit and enjoys a good show tune every now and again; but we're most of all impressed by her will to jump right in and design her heart out. Read what Mariisa has to say about MCCI below! 
What do you love about MCCI?
MCCI has a welcoming atmosphere and intelligence dripping from the seams of every employee. To learn something new every day, to not be the smartest in the room, is encouraged because it influences change and growth. Creativity and care are at the very core of everything the company does. From the day I started and heard about an email blast informing everyone how to pronounce my name properly, I knew I could find it home with this hardworking group.
Explain your role as a part of the MCCI family?
I am a graphic designer for MCCI. I work as-needed for anyone in the office but work directly with Paul Lukasiewicz and Garrett Ekstrom in the Digital/Web creative group. I will be doing graphics (posters, web banners, logos, etc.) for all kinds of accounts/clients.
What's the most challenging part of your job? Most rewarding?
As a graphic designer, everything is subjective. Oftentimes designs are argued over, miscommunicated, messy, or outright wrong. Luckily, everyone even considering this kind of position has a hardened skin and a desire to find solutions. It's rewarding to me to always overcome these challenges, offer an answer that is simple, accepted, and meaningful. The world is chaotic and messy and beautiful, and design takes the best of it and compacts it to manageable pieces.
How do you spend your time outside of the office?
My time outside the office is divided between spending as much time with my dogs as humanly possible, drawing, painting, reading, movies galore, and singing my heart out to musical theater soundtracks. Having just recently taken this position and re-established Detroit as my home, I look to begin volunteering again with nonprofits around the city, as well!
Any favorite line from a movie or book? Why is it your favorite?
There are a million quotes and movies and books that I'm particularly in love with. To stress how the idea of how magic and fantastical other-worlds has shaped my creativity and self, I would say my favorite book quote is from the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling: "You sort of start thinking anything's possible if you've got enough nerve."
I struggle with the impossible every day and constantly work to overcome it and it's nice to have a reminder that what we need in life is within us.
