Loud, Local, and Full of Heart

I’m not gonna lie, when this project landed on my plate, I was hyped. It’s not every day you get to design for a place that’s this full of energy and history and actual people yelling “fresh peaches!” at 9 a.m.

Eastern Market isn’t clean or quiet or minimal and that’s exactly why I loved it. It’s loud. It’s layered. It’s home to so many types of people, and it somehow all just works.

When I found out I’d be leading the redesign of the website for one of Detroit’s most iconic spots, I was pumped. Not just because it’s a big deal (which it is), but because I’ve always felt super connected to places that are full of life, movement, culture, and people. Eastern Market? It’s all of that, times ten.

I’m originally from Mexico, and I lived in Mexico City for a while, a place that’s buzzing with energy, layered with voices, colors, smells, and chaos in the best way possible. That kind of diversity both in people and in design that really shaped how I approached this project. Because the second you step into Eastern Market, you feel something familiar: a place where the community is the brand. It’s loud, it’s real, it’s beautiful, and it doesn’t try to be anything it’s not.

So when we kicked off the project, I knew this wasn’t just about a site map and some nice design assets. This was about capturing the essence of the Market, not just the logistics, but the emotion. The smells, the sounds, the grit, the joy. The kind of place where you can grab a coffee, pet a dog, buy a house plant, and hear live jazz all before 10 a.m.

And honestly? It came together fast. Not in a rushed way in a flowing way. Like the pieces just made sense. The color palette pulled from real textures and materials. The typography had structure, but still moved. There’s rhythm to it. There’s warmth. There’s space. Every piece of the design was made to reflect the spirit of the Market — not just to “look good.”

What made this project so smooth (and fun) was how much trust there was. Eastern Market really let us do our thing. They didn’t just want pretty; they wanted purpose. They knew we understood who they are at their core, and they gave us room to bring that to life. That trust? It means everything.

And I’ll be honest, we thought of things they didn’t even know they needed. Not because we’re magical (even though sometimes it feels like it), but because we cared. We asked the right questions. We listened. We paid attention. That’s what made it work.

I’m really proud of this one. It’s more than a website. It’s a digital love letter to a place with deep roots, big energy, and an even bigger heart. I’m so grateful to the Eastern Market team for trusting me and Skidmore to tell that story.