photo of red mobile cart with airbrushes and spray paints

MURAL DESIGN INTENSIVE

Learn how to turn an idea into a mural-ready design.

A hands-on intensive for studio artists, emerging muralists, and self-taught creatives who want a repeatable process for designing murals.

Chicago · In Person · Limited Seats

 

DESIGNING A MURAL IS DIFFERENT FROM DESIGNING A PAINTING

A mural has to work at scale, in a physical environment, for a specific audience—and often within real-world constraints.

In this intensive, I'll break down the process I use to move from concept → composition → color → final mural design.

You won't simply complete a workshop exercise.

You'll learn a process you can repeat on your own for future mural projects.

 

WHO IS THIS FOR?

STUDIO ARTISTS

You're already developing your own artistic practice and want to understand how to translate that practice into mural work.

EMERGING MURALISTS

You've started working on murals—or want to—and need a stronger design process you can rely on.

SELF-TAUGHT CREATIVES

You've learned through experience and experimentation and want a structured framework for approaching mural design.

You don't need years of mural experience. Bring your artistic practice, curiosity, and willingness to work.

 

FROM CONCEPT TO FINAL DESIGN

You'll work through the fundamental stages of mural design.

01 — CONCEPT

Learn how to develop an idea and establish a clear visual direction before jumping into the artwork.

02 — RESEARCH

Identify references, context, audience, location, and visual information that can strengthen the concept.

03 — COMPOSITION

Learn how to organize imagery, scale, movement, balance, and visual hierarchy for a mural.

04 — COLOR

Develop a color strategy that supports the concept and works at mural scale.

05 — REFINEMENT

Learn how to take an initial idea and develop it into a coherent mural design.

06 — FINAL DESIGN

Understand how to bring everything together into a design that can actually guide the execution of a mural.

BY THE END OF THE INTENSIVE, YOU'LL HAVE:

✓ A clearer understanding of the mural design process

✓ A repeatable framework for developing mural concepts

✓ A stronger approach to composition and visual hierarchy

✓ A method for thinking about color at mural scale

✓ A better understanding of how to move from idea to finished design

✓ A process you can continue using independently

A developed mural concept of your own

 

HAVE A MURAL IDEA ALREADY?

Bring it.

You can use your own mural concept, sketch, work-in-progress, or idea as the starting point for the workshop.

OPTIONAL TO BRING:

  • Laptop or iPad

  • Sketchbook

  • Work-in-progress

  • Existing mural concept

  • Reference images

YOU DON'T NEED:

  • Previous mural experience

  • A finished concept

  • Professional design software

Come with an idea—or come ready to develop one.

 

LEARN FROM KANE ONE

Miguel "Kane One" Aguilar is a Chicago-based artist, muralist and educator with more than 20 years of experience working across graffiti, murals, airbrush, public art and arts education.

His recent projects include mural work connected to The Messi Experience and Sunrise Day Camp, along with community-based public art and educational programming.

Kane One is also the founder of Graffiti Institute and a recipient of the 2023 3Arts Next Level Award.

 

MURAL DESIGN INTENSIVE

DATE
Saturday, OCTOBER 10, 2026

TIME
9:00 AM–4:00 PM

LOCATION
Mana Contemporary Chicago

Studio #521

2233 S. Throop St

Chicago, IL 60608

FORMAT
In-person, hands-on intensive

GROUP SIZE
Limited to 4 participants

LEVEL
Beginner → Intermediate

Then:

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • Full-day intensive

  • Hands-on instruction

  • Guided design exercises

  • Individual feedback

  • Materials

 

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

MURAL DESIGN INTENSIVE

$295

One full-day, hands-on mural design intensive.

Limited to 4 participants.

RESERVE MY SPOT

Your spot is confirmed when payment is completed.

 

FAQs

 

READY TO DEVELOP YOUR NEXT MURAL?

Stop guessing your way through the design process.

Learn a framework you can use again and again.

Limited to 4 participants