Case Study: Midway Grit Clothing Co. Apparel Design

Midway Grit Clothing Co. wanted an apparel graphic that celebrated South Side Chicago pride and reflected the grit, resilience, and culture of the community. The design needed to resonate with locals while also creating appeal as a streetwear-style brand.

• Inspiration & Research: Drew visual influence from South Side Chicago’s architecture, transit systems, and cultural icons.
   
• Design Concept: Brought together elements that symbolize the area:
   
  • Neighborhood homes for community roots.
     
  • CTA train for movement and urban identity.
     
  • Airplane for Midway Airport, tying the name and the geography together.
     
• Typography: Combined script (“Midway”) with bold sans serif (“GRIT CLOTHING CO.”) to balance style and strength.
   
• Color Palette: Red, white, and blue nods to Chicago’s city flag, while muted tones provided flexibility across apparel colors.
   
• Mockups: Designed for hoodies and apparel placement, ensuring the graphic translated well on garments.
   

A layered illustration + typographic design system that captures South Side Chicago identity. Final designs were produced for apparel, including hoodies, with versatility for screen printing and embroidery.

• Delivered a design that authentically represents local culture and pride.
   
• Helped establish Midway Grit Clothing Co. as a brand rooted in community storytelling.
   
• Created a streetwear-ready graphic that balances urban edge with cultural heritage.