WornAndRaised

Based in Chicago, Worn & Raised is an independent graphic design studio supplying quality-bred collections of prints and posters neatly drafted in a simple, refined style. The core of Worn & Raised doesn't solely hinge on where we're from. It's more than that. It's a mentality. It's our stories, our experiences, our successes and failures, our passions and dreams. It's everything about us uniquely woven together making us who we are.

Anchored by honest workmanship, solid design style and genuine gusto, the quest for WANDR is to create something that captures a piece of you, that connects with you. That becomes part of you. And in the end, amasses to a bunch of cool stuff that you’re proud to raise to your walls.

Have a look around. Enjoy your stay. There's much more coming!

Hey. My name is BJ Zink, founder and sole designer at Worn & Raised. I grew up in small-town Ohio and have been a designer in Chicago since '03. Working now as a freelancer, I've been fortunate to dabble with all sorts of roles throughout the years. I've been focused on web design and front-end web development for most of my career. It's great. I love it. It's been a wild ride. And I'm going to continue doing it. But after a while, it felt like something was missing. I needed a new creative outlet.

I once heard someone say, “Sometimes you have to let your mind wander.” What a great line, right? It's true. They're perfect words for when you find yourself going through the motions, feeling unfulfilled, and in need of breaking the monotony. Take a hike. Get lost in a book. Gaze at the stars. Do something to get away mentally and let your mind reboot.

So I did.

And I realized that I needed to get back to the roots of who I am as a designer, why I was drawn to it in the first place, and revive my passion for traditional graphic design. I had to get away from the computer for a bit, do stuff with my hands again, pick up a pencil again and just create something – something for me, something for you – welcome to WANDR.