MIAD student duo publishes issue 2 of Triple magazine

Co-founded by Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) students James Kramer ’27 and Lydia Walz ’26, Triple³ Magazine is an independent, Milwaukee‑made arts and culture publication. The magazine celebrates the launch of its second issue at a public release event and pop-up exhibition at Underscore Gallery on Saturday, July 26, 2025.

About Triple 3 Magazine
Founded to spotlight voices in contemporary visual art while fostering experimentation and collaboration, Triple is fully student‑run: we curate contributors, produce/editorialize photo shoots, design layouts, and handle distribution ourselves. We regularly work with first‑time models, emerging stylists, and a broad network of Milwaukee‑based students, artists, and designers. Our shoots take place in the city’s neighborhoods, and we prioritize Milwaukee‑owned fashion brands and businesses, many of whom also appear in the magazine as advertisers or story subjects.

Following the success of Issue 1 (December 2024), which sold out within a week online and in‑store at Milwaukee Artist Resource Network (MARN) and Woodland Pattern Book Center, Issue 2 expands both content and reach. The July 2025 issue features artists and creatives Maya Man, Emily Yong Beck and Phoenix Brown.

Promotional material for Triple magazine release party at Underscore, July 26 2025.

What gap or need does Triple fill in Milwaukee’s creative community? How does the magazine fill it?
Moving to Milwaukee, we were both immediately struck by the strength of its creative community. Immersing ourselves in local galleries, connecting with artists, and exploring the city’s artistic history sparked the idea for Triple. As lifelong collectors of magazines and passionate advocates for print media, we both noticed a gap; there wasn’t a publication dedicated to celebrating Milwaukee’s art, fashion, and cultural landscapes. We’ve always dreamed of seeing our work in print, so creating a platform where other young and emerging artists could also be published felt both urgent and meaningful.

Triple has allowed us to merge all of our creative interests, whether it’s fine art, communication design, fashion, or photography, into one cohesive platform. Co-founding the publication together felt as natural as it was necessary, and we’re thrilled to see Triple becoming a bridge between Milwaukee’s diverse creative communities, spanning everything from fine art to fashion. With our second issue, we’ve expanded beyond Milwaukee into Chicago and New York, collaborating with artists like Emily Yong Beck and Maya Man.

How does producing Triple 3 inform your artistic practice? Or vice versa?
James: Triple and my personal art practice feel distinct, yet deeply interconnected. I’m fulfilled by the balance I’ve found between the two. While my work primarily focuses on image-making and sculpture, Triple has allowed me to step into roles as both Art Director and Photographer. It feels like, as an artist, I get to explore every interest I’ve ever had, whether that’s photography, sculpture, casting, or art direction, while also having the incredible opportunity to collaborate with artists I’ve admired. I remember thinking that my senior thesis was going to be a magazine. Still, I’m glad I started this process during my second year at MIAD, as I’ve been able to build a brand and now focus on my individual arts practice.

Lydia: Triple, while separate from much of my design work, has deeply shaped my growth as a creative. It’s pushed me to approach design with a stronger sense of versatility and adaptability. On any given day, we’re juggling a range of roles, writing and editing content, managing social media and finances, coordinating project timelines, and I even assist with James’ photoshoots. More than anything, Triple has taught me the value of collaboration and the importance of keeping a sense of playfulness in the creative process. Working alongside artists, writers, and advertisers has shown me how much stronger ideas become when they’re shaped collectively. That openness to collaboration and experimentation has become a cornerstone of how I approach design today, and I credit Triple for that shift.

What MIAD experiences (classes, clubs, projects, etc.) stand out as especially impactful? Did any MIAD experiences impact the creation of Triple 3?
James: Lydia and I first met in the school’s textile lab, which has since become a core memory for me. I vividly remember one night in the photo lab when we casually tossed around the idea of starting a zine. Somewhere between that conversation and Issue 1, we decided to go all in and create something we felt was missing. I also took Grant Gill’s “Singularity and Multiplicity” class, where he allowed our class to present four student shows throughout the fall semester. Being part of those exhibitions as a young artist was incredibly inspiring, and it reinforced the importance of keeping the ‘artist submissions’ aspect of Triple.

Lydia: That’s a great question. As James mentioned, our collaboration came together very naturally. We both recognized a gap in Milwaukee for a platform that highlights contemporary, up-and-coming artists, and that realization is really what sparked the creation of Triple. Several classes at MIAD have been especially influential in shaping my approach to Triple, including Brand Identity, CD2, Typography 2, and Publication Design. Just as important, though, have been the people I’ve met, my peers, faculty, and the wider creative community at MIAD. Triple simply wouldn’t exist without MIAD, not only because it brought James and me together, but because of the way it has shaped our vision as creatives. The environment here has pushed me to stay curious, to take risks, and to remain hungry for both learning and growth. 

Anything else you’d like to add?

Thank you, MIAD, for this interview and for continuously providing meaningful, creative opportunities for your students. We’re excited to celebrate the release of Triple Issue 2 with a release party and pop-up exhibition at Underscore (Basement Level, 1013 W. Historic Mitchell St., Milwaukee, WI 53204), on Saturday, July 26, 6 – 9 p.m. featuring works by Emily Yong Beck, Maya Man, and Phoenix Brown. Hope to see you there!