We exist to create things where passion and purpose come together

Benchmark is a custom architectural signage studio that takes a fresh, modern approach to crafting custom signage.
By combining cutting-edge technology with traditional and unique materials, we help bring brands to life. Benchmark Design Studio has fabricated signs for over 3,000 companies nationwide, right from their studio in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Based on Marketing

Benchmark was founded from marketing and branding , which is why we see things from a different perspective—one that puts our client’s vision and business first.

Owner

Matthew Smith
With a foundation in brand strategy, I approach every sign from a marketing perspective. I ensure your vision isn't just manufactured, but strategically crafted to capture attention and drive business growth.

chief of support

Walter Pittman
Meet Walter Pittman, our Chief of Support. Whether he’s "pawsing" for a belly rub or fetching morale, he ensures every project is "ruff-ly" perfect. He works for treats and naps exclusively.
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Built on design

Design is our DNA. We merge aesthetic brilliance with structural integrity, ensuring every sign is a masterpiece of form and function that elevates your brand’s physical presence with artistic precision.

Step into our shop

Benchmark works out of two shops in Ann Arbor, Michigan. One shop is for printing the more delicate signage and one for our carpenters and welders.
Each building is packed with the latest technological wizardry (and the wizards to operate it), with near limitless fabrication capabilities. Want a peek behind the scenes? Call us to schedule an appointment

Meet our team

Our team committed to the sign and design industry and has decades of experience to perfect their craft.

Matthew Smith

Matthew Smith Owner & Creative Strategist Matthew Smith founded Benchmark Design Studio with a unique vision: to bridge the gap between high-level brand strategy and physical craftsmanship. With a deep professional background in marketing and branding, Matthew doesn’t just see a sign as a piece of hardware; he sees it as a vital touchpoint for business growth.
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Kurt Pittman

Kurt Pittman Lead Designer With an eye for precision and a passion for structural aesthetics, Kurt transforms complex brand identities into tangible architectural landmarks. As Lead Designer, he balances cutting-edge technology with traditional craftsmanship to ensure every sign is as durable as it is visually stunning. Kurt’s expertise is the backbone of the "Built on Design" philosophy at Benchmark Design Studio, turning creative concepts into iconic physical realities.
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Mandy Leonard

Mandy is a powerhouse in the studio, seamlessly bridging the gap between digital design and physical production. With a sharp eye for detail and a deep understanding of materials, she ensures that every project transitions perfectly from the screen to the shop floor. Whether she’s fine-tuning a layout or overseeing the final fabrication, Mandy’s dedication to quality and precision is what brings the Benchmark Design Studio standard to life.
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Andrew Overholt

Andrew is the muscle and the machine behind our largest-scale projects. Specializing in heavy production, he masters the structural side of fabrication—handling everything from complex welding to large-format assembly. With a deep respect for raw materials and structural integrity, Andrew ensures that every monument and architectural sign that leaves the shop is built to last a lifetime.
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Valen Edmonds

Valen is the artist behind our most transformative interior projects. As our Wall Wrap Specialist, he excels in the precision-heavy world of large-format vinyl installation. From textured surfaces to massive corporate murals, Valen’s expert technique ensures a seamless, bubble-free finish that turns ordinary walls into high-impact branding statements.
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Matt Morgan

Matt is our resident expert in turning local fleets and personal rides into mobile billboards. As a Vehicle Wrap Specialist, he combines meticulous surface preparation with master-level vinyl application. Whether it’s a complex color change or a full commercial wrap, Matt’s precision ensures that every curve and contour is perfectly covered, providing a durable, high-impact finish that moves with your business.
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ABOUT BENCHMARK

WE BUILD THE THINGS THAT MAKE BRANDS IMPOSSIBLE TO MISS.

Benchmark Design Studio turns vehicles, buildings, and interior spaces into clear, memorable brand experiences—designed, produced, and installed by one team in Ann Arbor.

START A PROJECT →SEE OUR WORK
Benchmark team installing a branded vehicle wrap
Benchmark branded interior environment
ANN ARBOR
MICHIGAN
3,000+Companies served
2Ann Arbor shops
1 TEAMDesign through install
NATIONWIDEProjects and partnerships
BUILT FROM A MARKETING MINDSET

WE SEE MORE THAN A SIGN.

Benchmark was founded from marketing and branding, which is why every project begins with your audience, your goals, and the impression your business needs to make.

We combine brand strategy, modern technology, traditional craftsmanship, and an unusually broad range of materials to create work that is visually strong, structurally sound, and built for the real world.

“Your vision isn’t simply manufactured. It is strategically crafted to capture attention and support growth.”— Matthew Smith, Owner & Creative Strategist
ONE PARTNER. EVERY STEP.

IDEAS BECOME
REAL OBJECTS.

Strong work comes from keeping strategy, creativity, production, and installation connected.

01

Strategy & Design

Original concepts shaped around your brand, space, audience, and business objectives.

02

Production & Fabrication

Large-format printing, dimensional fabrication, finishing, carpentry, and metalwork under one roof.

03

Installation & Care

Site inspection, project coordination, professional installation, and responsive follow-through.

Inside Benchmark Design Studio's Ann Arbor production shopSTEP INSIDE
TWO SHOPS. NEAR-LIMITLESS CAPABILITY.

BUILT HERE.
BUILT RIGHT.

Benchmark operates from two shops in Ann Arbor, Michigan. One is dedicated to printing and delicate graphics work; the other gives our carpenters, welders, fabricators, and installers room to build at scale.

Each space is packed with modern production technology—and the experienced people who know how to turn it into lasting work.

SCHEDULE A SHOP VISIT →
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE WORK

DIFFERENT SKILLS.
ONE STANDARD.

Our team brings decades of combined experience across strategy, design, production, fabrication, and installation.

MS

Matthew Smith

Owner & Creative Strategist

Connects brand strategy with physical craftsmanship and keeps every project focused on business impact.

KP

Kurt Pittman

Lead Designer

Transforms brand identities into precise, durable, and visually distinctive physical experiences.

ML

Mandy Leonard

Design & Production

Bridges the gap between digital design and the shop floor with a sharp eye for detail.

AO

Andrew Overholt

Heavy Production

Leads structural fabrication, welding, and large-format assembly for demanding custom projects.

VE

Valen Edmonds

Wall Wrap Specialist

Turns ordinary interiors into seamless, high-impact branded environments.

MM

Matt Morgan

Vehicle Wrap Specialist

Applies commercial wraps with precision across every curve, contour, and fleet requirement.

WP
CHIEF OF SUPPORT

Walter Pittman

Morale, quality control, strategic naps, and the occasional belly-rub consultation.

LET'S MAKE YOUR BRAND IMPOSSIBLE TO MISS.

READY TO BUILD
SOMETHING MEMORABLE?

We are dedicated to elevating your brand through precision craftsmanship. From custom apparel to high-impact signage, we turn your vision into a lasting professional impression.

Services

Design Installation Printing Production Garments Vehicle Wraps

CONTACT US

(734) 649-5865 matt@a2benchmark.com
8186 Jackson Rd Suite B
Request a Free Consultation
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