About IAD
BUILT HERE.
MADE FOR HERE.
A creative studio rooted in the Ozarks, designing art and objects for the context in which they're presented.
The Story
FROM SCAD
TO OGDEN
TO THE
OZARKS
Industrial Art & Design began with a simple conviction: that design should belong to the place it inhabits. Not imported, not generic, not applied from the outside — but grown from the specific character of a community, its history, its materials, and its stories.
Lauren Argo trained at the Savannah College of Art & Design, developing a rigorous foundation in graphic design, digital fabrication, and brand strategy. James brought a critical eye for narrative and aesthetic precision — the ability to find the story inside a space or a community and make it visible.
In Ogden, Utah, they transformed a vacant 10,000 sq. ft. building into The Argo House — a professional service hub, event space, and art gallery that became a civic catalyst for the community. They designed and fabricated the Paradboxes installation for the Ogden Contemporary Arts Center: five large-scale, waterjet-cut steel cubes with interactive LED lighting, installed in a public plaza.
Then they came home to Arkansas. To the Ozarks. To Calico Rock, a small town on the White River where the bluffs glow amber at sunset and the stories run as deep as the water.
IAD is now rooted on Main Street in Calico Rock — a studio, a workshop, and a civic presence. The work ranges from hand-carved hardwood signs for local businesses to public murals, 3D topo map installations for visitor centers, and digital design for regional organizations. The thread connecting all of it is the same: design for the context in which it's presented.
The Team
LAUREN ARGO
Design & Digital
SCAD-trained designer with expertise in graphic design, front-end development, brand strategy, and content management. Lauren translates creative vision into precise, functional reality — bridging the physical and digital with equal fluency. She also leads web development, video editing, and digital strategy for clients who need a high-level creative partner.
JAMES ARGO
Fabrication & Narrative
James brings a critical eye for aesthetic precision and storytelling — the ability to find the narrative inside a space or community and make it tangible. He leads custom fabrication, 3D carving, mural work, and public art. His work ranges from hand-carved hardwood relief panels to large-scale steel installations. He also writes: his Ozark folklore stories are being published in regional visitor guides.
How We Work
THE
APPROACH
Context First
Every project begins with the place it will inhabit. We study the architecture, the community, the history, and the people before we draw a single line. Design that ignores context is just decoration.
Built to Last
We build things right the first time. Whether it's a carved hardwood sign or a web presence, our goal is work that doesn't need to be redone in two years. Premium materials, honest craft, no shortcuts.
Partnership, Not Vendor
For larger projects — especially public art — we work with clients from the very beginning. We help identify grant opportunities, assist with applications, and stay involved through installation. We're most useful when we're in from the start.
Make What They Can Afford
We build relationships and make what clients can afford, as long as it's something we want to do. We don't have a minimum project size. We have a minimum quality standard.
Civic Catalyst
MORE THAN
A STUDIO
IAD exists to build prosperity through creativity — preserving Ozark folklore, inspiring the next generation, and ensuring that our town's stories continue to live not just in memory, but in form, texture, and design.
From youth programs to heritage signage, from local tourism design to myth-inspired storytelling, our work celebrates what makes this region distinct.
Work With Us