BSC Students Bring Creative Spark To Medora Box Project

In Medora, ND a unique collaboration exists between Bismarck State College (BSC) graphic design students and Jill Friesz, owner of GS Publishing. Medora is bringing new life to an old idea: newspaper boxes. What started as a simple need for distribution has turned into a creative project that will have a lasting impact.

When tasked with getting newspaper boxes set up in Medora, Friesz realized that more was needed than just standard newspaper boxes.

“Medora has such a strong Western theme. I knew I couldn’t just place a brown or blue box on the streets and call it good,” she said. “I don’t have experience designing newspaper boxes, and that’s where BSC came in.”

While visiting with Associate Professor of Journalism karen Bauer, Friesz learned about Associate Professors of Graphic Design and Communications Sean Thorenson and Jason Lueder, who have worked on similar projects in the past. The idea clicked. One Zoom meeting later, the project was brought to BSC’s graphic design class.

The collaboration gave students real-world experience, while Medora gained creatively designed newspaper boxes that reflect its identity.

But the process was nor without challenges.

“Getting approved for the zoning application was tough. Then finding someone who could sandblast and powder coat the used boxes wasn’t easy either,” Friesz explained. “The coin-operated mechanisms were another issue. These boxes are used, so they weren’t in perfect shape, and we had to make sure you could insert coins and only take one paper and not the whole stack.”

Despite the logistical hurdles, the results have been well worth it.

“It’s been phenomenal working with the BSC team,” she said. “The students were easy to work with, brought in amazing ideas, and delivered exactly what Medora was looking for.”

Beyond the success of the project itself, Friesz sees a broader benefit.

“It’s important to promote our in-state colleges and the amazing programs we already have here in North Dakota,” she said. “With Medora being such a tourism-heavy community, it’s a great chance to show off what BSC students can do.”

The collaboration stands as a creative and community-minded success and proof that partnerships between education and local towns can lead to long lasting outcomes.

“I’m so glad we got to work together on this,” she said with a smile.