Al Schwammlein
Designer and fabricator that loves to make the mundane turn unique, the boring to intriguing.
Member Since
January 2026
I am a multidisciplinary experiential graphic professional and owner of Beartooth Sign & Design, a studio specializing in high-end custom carved wood signs, metal fabricated signs, environmental graphics, and integrated branding solutions for civic, educational, and cultural environments. With a strong foundation in graphic design (BFA, Montana State University 2003) and extensive hands-on experience in production, fabrication, and installation, I bridge the gap between creative concept and built reality. My work emphasizes thoughtful storytelling, material integrity, and functional design that enriches user experiences in public and private spaces.
Driven by the belief that design has the power to shape place and foster engagement, I have collaborated with architects, nonprofit leaders, and landscape designers on projects ranging from donor recognition walls to wayfinding systems and narrative signage environments. I am especially interested in emerging industry practices around sustainability, creativity, and community-centered design.
I am joining SEGD to connect with peers, stay current with evolving experiential design practices, and share my production expertise with design studios seeking reliable fabrication partners.
Ask me about
Ask me about growing up on, and being influenced by, 3 diverse continents. and spending much of my life jumping back and forth between America and Europe, Historic and modern Cities and rural farm and ranch environments. Ask me about how I want to bring nature to cities, and how I want to bring modern minimalism to countrysides. Ask me about how basic design and signage should be interpreted beyond the language it’s in, and appeal to all eyes that see it. Or ask me about how Id like to design, build, and run a putt-putt golf course(adventure golf) resort that would be a mix between a botanical garden, a kids hands on science attraction, an education museum style adventure, and place that makes all guest no matter their age, leave smiling and enjoying humanity. If you ask me, Ill add 10 more things that this magical putt-putt course should do….
My super power is
My super power is imagining what could be.
I'm looking for
I am joining SEGD to connect with peers and find mentors, stay current with evolving experiential design practices, and share my production expertise with design studios seeking reliable fabrication partners.
What I love about experience design
I love the sign, wayfinding, and placemaking industry, because it tackles a real need for humans to understand their surroundings, and feel calm in new ones. I love spacial design because it can create smiles on faces form something as simple as pointing the way to a bathroom. I love working in theory and on a sketchpad for part of the day, and than moving into the shop and firing up machinery to bring the idea to life and see how interactions in 3D differ than first anticipated interactions on paper 2D.
Best piece of advice I've ever heard
Dont take yourself off the top shelf, just because somebody else cant reach it. Your value doesn’t shrink because somebody else cant see it or handle it.
Where I find Inspiration
I find inspiration in travel, often through food. I find inspiration in playgrounds that are built well. I find inspiration in color combinations that are comfortable to look at but not familiar.
Practice Area
Branded Environments, Exhibition, Placemaking, Public Installation, Strategy/Research/Planning, Wayfinding
Focus Area
Brand, Destination Experiences, Graphic, Signage
Industry
Cultural, Entertainment, Healthcare, Recreation, Retail, Sports, Transportation, Visitor Centers, Workplace