After seeing that Brookings was lacking in design services, two SDSU grads decided to join forces and bring their talents in graphic design to town. 

Located on Main Street, Hitch Design Studio specializes in graphic design. Carrie Kuhl and Renee Halgerson, co-owners of Hitch Design, opened their doors on Feb. 6.

Kuhl and Halgerson met at an AIGA (The Professional Association of Design) meeting and decided they both had similar tastes after working on projects together according to Kuhl. 

Though they both went to SDSU and were in the same program, they never knew each other. 

“We met in 2007 and started to plan events together, we both had the same style and became friends,” Halgerson said. 

Halgerson said that before Hitch Design, the two managed separate freelance design companies. She received her degree at SDSU and then moved to Sioux Falls to work at SDN Communications. Halgerson said that she has planned weddings and made corporate designs as a side freelance business, and since has moved to Volga.

According to Kuhl, she has worked for Daktronics for almost 10 years and currently is a creative director/motion graphics artist. She works part time at Daktronics and part time at Hitch Design. 

Halgerson reached out to Kuhl after seeing what they could do together and decided to open up their own business according to Kuhl’s husband, Jason. 

 “It’s been in the works since August, when they first came together and started talking about it, but it started to become more serious around Thanksgiving,” said Jason Kuhl.

Hitch Design specializes in weddings, logos, business cards, websites, marketing for businesses, photography and even have their own retail section. The two co-owners design wedding stationary sets to sell in store.

Hitch Design also offers retail items for purchase ranging from cards and paper goods to recipe tins and iPhone/iPad cases, which are hand picked from their favorite vendors, according to Kuhl.

Their hopes, according to Halgerson, are to keep up with the local businesses, but bring their own style.

“Hitch will stay in Brookings to work and plan with the local vendors, but we hope that we can also work with others in the surrounding areas,” Kuhl said. 

One of their biggest requests is to work with local venders, according to Kuhl and Halgerson. They want to support the Brookings’ community and make an impact. Locals are excited for the new opening. 

“Since this is the only place in Brookings that is a design studio there is no way they can fail, I know they will be successful,” said Emily Ficher, a Brookings resident.

After Hitch Design becomes more established, Kuhl and Halgerson are hoping to get a few interns. They said that they would like their interns to continue on with their regular business ventures such as making logos, getting connected with local businesses and helping with their retail section. 

“We understand what it’s like being a college student and needing internships,” said Halgerson. “We want to give local opportunities to SDSU students.” 

Hitch Design Studio is located at 315 Main Ave., Suite 1. Hours of operation are Tuesday – Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays and Mondays, by appointment only.