In a world where designers often remain confined to sketches and makers stick to the shop floor, rare are those who bridge the gap between imagination and creation. Donut Shop, a Detroit-based design studio, was born precisely at this intersection — where design thinking and hands-on fabrication come together to unlock new creative possibilities.
The story of Donut Shop began in 2017, founded by Ian Klipa and Jacob Saphier. Their journey traces back to the Stamps School of Art and Design, where a shared passion for making and collaboration turned into a friendship, and eventually, a business. Long before Donut Shop had an address, it existed in weekend experiments and late-night projects, fueled by their vision to keep working on the ideas they loved most.
Armed with experience across fabrication, engineering, and design fields, Ian and Jacob decided to take a leap of faith. They established Donut Shop not just as a creative studio, but as a statement — a commitment to design rooted in craftsmanship, and craftsmanship informed by design.
A Design Identity That Evolves with the Work
When it came time to define their visual identity, Donut Shop partnered with TwoPoints.Net, a design agency known for bespoke, idea-driven work. Rather than relying on a single logo or traditional branding system, they chose a living, breathing visual language that could evolve as they did.
TwoPoints.Net created six distinct fonts for Donut Shop, each inspired by different projects the studio had undertaken. Instead of forcing the brand into a rigid aesthetic mold, these fonts embrace the studio’s eclecticism and creativity. Designed as mono-spaced typefaces, the fonts allow every letter to interact seamlessly with the next — much like the pieces of furniture and projects crafted by Donut Shop.
The result is a branding system that is simultaneously cohesive and dynamic. There’s no need for static logos stamped across every surface; with the custom typefaces, every piece of text becomes a signature, a new articulation of the Donut Shop identity. This flexibility mirrors the nature of the studio itself: ever-evolving, ever-making.
Storytelling Through Simplicity
Donut Shop’s communication philosophy is as thoughtful as their design practice. Rather than relying on elaborate marketing campaigns, the studio believes in storytelling that emerges organically through the work itself.
Every project at Donut Shop is born from a hidden narrative — a spark of inspiration or a quiet idea — and their creations offer clients a way to share these stories with their own audiences. Whether it’s a meticulously crafted chair, a unique installation, or a custom-made space, each piece tells a story that needs no embellishment.
Editorial design plays a major role in this approach. Clear, engaging presentations of their work allow the story behind each object to come through naturally. It’s a strategy rooted not in shouting for attention, but in inviting curiosity and appreciation — and in doing so, it proves far more effective than flashy advertising.
Visual Language in Everyday Touchpoints
Donut Shop’s brand doesn’t live in digital screens alone. The fonts and visual identity show up in real-world applications — signage, packaging tape, sandwich boards — turning even the most mundane elements into expressions of the brand’s personality.
Each application is simple, almost understated, yet unmistakably Donut Shop. It’s a visual system that communicates confidence without arrogance, creativity without chaos. The consistency of the fonts and the storytelling approach mean that whether you’re reading a name on a package or seeing a label on a piece of furniture, you are drawn into the same narrative world.
A Studio Rooted in Authenticity
At its heart, Donut Shop is a celebration of creative authenticity — a reminder that the best work often happens when you refuse to draw hard lines between disciplines. Ian and Jacob’s studio stands as proof that design and making are not opposing forces, but parts of the same creative cycle.
Their partnership with TwoPoints.Net has given them a visual identity that doesn’t just represent who they are today but leaves room for who they will become. It’s a flexible, resilient system built to grow alongside them, as they continue to explore, experiment, and craft objects that are as thoughtful as they are beautiful.
In an industry often obsessed with polish and perfection, Donut Shop offers something rarer: honest design, honest making, and stories that speak for themselves.
