Adam Wiedman Interview – 50 States (North Dakota)

Adam Wiedman – “It’s one part Dungeons & Dragons and one part old-school, blue-collar tavern”

For the 33^rd Edition of our 50 States series, Creative Chair is in Fargo, North Dakota where we’re talking with graphic designer and self-professed salad bar aficionado Adam Wiedman.

Adam has a passion for branding and he often uses illustrative elements to create striking visual identities.

You can see more from Adam Wiedman on his website.

Tell us a little bit more about yourself and what you do

My name is Adam Wiedman, and I’m really just a guy trying my damndest to do killer work for the people I work with. I own and operate WDCo, a graphic design and branding studio located in the Fargo, ND metro area. I started WDCo back in 2016 after a decade of bouncing around the agency world trying to figure out how I fit in. I could never really fall in love with the structure of the larger agencies because I firmly believe that one-on-one relationships are more important than being a one-stop shop. Shit gets done when you work with someone instead of for someone.

So now I do just that – I work with people to add value to their brands through simple, well thought out design.

How has your state influenced the work that you do?

To me, I think my design influence is attributed more to a mentality of a region than a geographical border. We’re a different breed up here. I was raised in South Dakota before I moved to North Dakota, so I’ve pretty much spent my entire life surrounded by a hard-working, meat ‘n’ potatoes, no bullshit collection of Germans and Scandinavians. But at the same time, in all my travels I’ve never been around a more kind or caring group of people anywhere.

It all comes down to simplicity, really – work hard, keep your nose clean, and be a good person. I’d like to think that a lot of that mentality is reflected in the work that I do. That’s pretty much North Dakota in a nutshell.

Of your own work, what is your favourite project and why?

Actually, some of my most favorite work that I’ve done recently is a project that I’m currently working on – Dempsey’s Brewing Company. Dempsey’s has been brewing beer for the past 20 years, but hasn’t really focused on doing any legitimate branding until recently. I, along with another insanely talented designer from North Dakota named Ben Brick (www.benbrick.net), have been working to develop a set of Medieval characters and brand elements for their brewery and individual beer varieties. It’s one part Dungeons & Dragons and one part old-school, blue-collar tavern, and it’s been super awesome to work on so far.

And finally, if you died and got reincarnated as a song, what would that song be?

“For Goodness Sake” by Chuck Ragan is pretty much the CliffsNotes of how I want to live my life. “Mind the gaps and watch them closely. Spread the love but choose your friends wisely. Love yourself to love your family, and find the difference between wants and needs. Be sure to stop and count your blessings. Smell the roses and fight for something.”