Paper Heart Design Co.

Paper Heart Design Co. We create authentic brands that empower heart-driven nonprofits and entrepreneurs to connect with their communities.

Community focused artist + freelance graphic designer
✨ logo design + visual identity
✨ color obsessed painter + sculptor Paper Heart Design is the studio of artist, graphic designer, and creativity coach, Annie Stout. Annie is a multi-passionate creative entrepreneur. Annie grew up in metro Detroit where art was her passion from a very young age. Growing up, it was always clear that she was meant to create. She studied art at Central Michigan University, where she graduated with cm laude honors in 2007. She earned both her Bachelor of Applied Arts, as a double major in Graphic Design and Sculpture, with a minor in Art History, and her Bachelor of Science in Art Education, with a minor in Industrial Education. As her arts education progressed she wanted to take every class, obsessed with knowing as much as possible about creating. A jack of all trades, Annie is constantly learning new skills and expanding her base of knowledge. Paper Heart Design was founded by Anne in 2008. It is full service graphic design studio specializing in small business branding. She also offers creativity coaching, sells her own art, and runs a creative lifestyle blog with an online creatives community. She is passionate about helping small business owners craft a polished and professional look through modern design, encouraging artists of all kinds to get out of their own way to live a more creative life, and creating opportunities for connection. Annie prides herself on taking big picture ideas and breaking them down into manageable smaller steps. She does not shy away from challenges and loves that her varied work gets to be a small part of others achieving their own big dreams. Annie’s motto comes from Elsie de Wolfe, “I’m going to make everything around me beautiful- that will be my life.”

Color Palette 19001: Winter Inspired by a foggy winter landscape in the mountains, this color combination feels cool, ca...
11/02/2026

Color Palette 19001: Winter

Inspired by a foggy winter landscape in the mountains, this color combination feels cool, calm, wintry, simple, and peaceful. ✨

Looking for more color inspiration? Not a problem. Explore hundreds of expertly designed color palettes for your next project on the website.

I’ve been starting to plan for 2027 this week. I was so busy at the end of 2025 I never actually set goals for 2026… I j...
10/30/2026

I’ve been starting to plan for 2027 this week. I was so busy at the end of 2025 I never actually set goals for 2026… I just kept my head down and tried to keep up with my to-do list. I might actually be sort of caught up! For now…

I am getting back to some projects I have been excited about, but had put off in the name of other work. My new planner is here, so I am planning!

📸 Photo round up of orange things I love in honor of Halloween weekend:
- The chair in the Captured Photography daylight studio
- My orange and white cat, Rocket
- The ✨folaige✨
- My white and orange cat, Natasha
- 2026 Stout family pumpkins

Happy Halloween!🦇🖤

Color Palette 23004: Still Life in OrangeInspired by a dramatically lit still life of oranges, this color combination fe...
10/20/2026

Color Palette 23004: Still Life in Orange

Inspired by a dramatically lit still life of oranges, this color combination feels bold, moody, vintage, autumnal, and atmospheric. ✨

Looking for more color inspiration? Not a problem. Explore hundreds of expertly designed color palettes for your next project on the website.

It’s been an extremely busy couple of weeks, but I only have one meeting on the books for this week, so I have grand pla...
10/19/2026

It’s been an extremely busy couple of weeks, but I only have one meeting on the books for this week, so I have grand plans to be super productive. I’ve been working on a couple logo designs, a proposal for an art installation, an album cover design, writing plans for 2027, and developing some community assets. I am grateful for a job where I’m always solving new problems and working on new things!

Other plans for the week include getting outside. There are leaves to be crunched! 🍁✨

⚡️Logo Flashback for Motor City Designworks⚡️This bold logo and visual identity were crafted in 2024 to reflect the appr...
10/16/2026

⚡️Logo Flashback for Motor City Designworks⚡️

This bold logo and visual identity were crafted in 2024 to reflect the approachable yet high-end interior design services offered by Motor City Design Works.

Inspired by vintage gas stations and Detroit’s industrial roots, the MCDW icon blends a clean, modern aesthetic with a nod to the Motor City. This timeless black-and-white design exudes class, style, and ease, just like the spaces Katie creates!

This is one of my all time favorite design projects.

Color Palette 20051: Poppy Fields Forever Inspired by a field of poppies bathed in light, this color combination feels w...
10/14/2026

Color Palette 20051: Poppy Fields Forever

Inspired by a field of poppies bathed in light, this color combination feels warm, inviting, earthy, lively, and grounded.

✨Looking for more color inspiration? Not a problem. Explore hundreds of expertly designed color palettes for your next project on my website.

Being part of Public Arts Midland has been a great way for me to feel like I contribute to and feel more connected to Mi...
10/12/2026

Being part of Public Arts Midland has been a great way for me to feel like I contribute to and feel more connected to Midland. 🎨🤓

“What a privilege it is to be exhausted by an ambition of your own choosing.” I met with a few of my entrepreneur friend...
10/08/2026

“What a privilege it is to be exhausted by an ambition of your own choosing.”

I met with a few of my entrepreneur friends today for our monthly Brave meeting. It was just three of us, which was lovely. We chatted and worked on things together. I needed that break. 

I was asked how things were going, and I admitted I was a bit overwhelmed today. I came home and thought about all I’ve done in since the calendar flipped to October, and my feelings make a lot of sense. In the last seven days I have…

- Hosted a Brave meeting for entrepreneurs
- Met with a logo design client
- Scheduled a meeting for an album cover design client
- Sent one client email newsletter and drafted a second one for another client
- Set up a Slack channel
- Attended a committee meeting
- Designed a presentation for a client event
- Installed a plaque on a mural
- Published 20 pieces of content on social media (21 if you include this)
- Scheduled 28 pieces of content for the month for multiple clients
- Designed 5 flyers
- Published 2 blog posts
- Created 3 Events
- Made a handful of website edits for clients
- Helped prep for a community event
- Approved 30 events for the community calendar
- Brainstormed about an art installation
- And so. so. many. emails.

I also helped my daughter get ready for homecoming, visited my parents, went golfing with my husband, read a book and a half, participated in the Public Arts Midland Art Drop, visited Dahlia Hill, took a walk in the beautiful fall weather, and watched some movies… so I’m busy, but it is good. I’m so grateful to do the work I do. 💙

A logo is only one piece of a brand.When Freeland Community School District reached out, they already had a well establi...
07/13/2026

A logo is only one piece of a brand.

When Freeland Community School District reached out, they already had a well established icon, the Freeland Falcon, but they did not have specified fonts, colors, or layouts of their logos. What they needed was a complete visual identity system that would bring consistency across district communications.

Together, we established a cohesive brand guide with standardized colors, typography, and design elements that make it easier for every department, school, and staff member to communicate with one clear visual voice. Whether it’s a flyer, presentation, social media graphic, or district publication, the Freeland brand now feels unified and instantly recognizable.

From there, we developed a communications strategy centered on the people who make Freeland special. Their social media plan highlights dedicated teachers, accomplished alumni, and graduating seniors, in addition to sharing day to day updates, recognizing accomplishments, and updates on their larger strategic plan.

This people-first strategy creates opportunities to build connection, foster school pride, and strengthen relationships throughout the community.

The strongest brands aren’t built with logos alone. They’re built through visual consistency, intentional storytelling, and a shared sense of purpose.

I am grateful to have partnered with Freeland Community School District to help bring all of those pieces together.

Address

713 Ashman Street
Midland, MI
48640

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 3pm
Tuesday 9am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 3pm

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