06/18/2026
From Designs On Broadway to DeDesigns Co.:
A Velva Business Continues to Evolve
Reporter Heather Tudor
- Velva Area Voice, Velva North Dakota
- Photo Credit Breanna Gange Photography
For many residents of Velva and the surrounding region, the name Designs On Broadway has long been associated with creativity, quality design work, and local business support. After more than three decades of serving clients throughout north-central North Dakota, the familiar business has entered a new chapter under a new name, DeDesigns Co.
Owned by DeAnna Frantsen, the business has been a fixture in the local creative services industry for many years, providing graphic design, branding, marketing materials, printing services, and promotional products to businesses, organizations, and community groups across the region, with heavy loyalty to Velva and Velva Public School and their sports programs.
While the name has changed, the mission remains much the same: helping local businesses and organizations communicate their message through professional design and marketing solutions, with coining the idea of selling fence sponsor banners at Buen Baseball Field in 2013 and after the initial set up, Frantsen handed that fundraising opportunity to the baseball team itself for future benefits. She now has started the sponsor banners for the Larry Sandy Football Field and has also handed that to the Velva Aggies Sports Program so the money goes directly to that fund. She drummed up the idea of team banners for the school gym and pushed for the wall insert pegs for these banners as the tape was ruining the walls. We can’t forget about the football banner that hangs on the historic bridge that enters the Velva Park to the football field. When the school year nears end, these banners were auctioned off at the Dollars for Scholars Gala, now they are auctioned off online, ultimately increasing scholarship funds for the students. During Covid Frantsen initiated the Senior Recognition Banners so every graduating Aggie could be recognized on Main Street Velva. She continues to do these with help from the generous sponsors.
Originally operating as Designs On Broadway, the company built a powerful reputation for creating logos, brochures, newsletters, event programs, invitations, and advertising materials. Throughout its history, the business has collaborated with countless local clients, helping bring ideas to life while supporting economic and community development in rural North Dakota.
The transition to DeDesigns Co. reflects both the evolution of the business and the changing landscape of marketing and design. Today, businesses require a broader range of creative services than ever before, from traditional print materials to digital branding and online marketing support.
For communities such as Velva, locally owned businesses like DeDesigns Co. play a vital role beyond the services they provide. They contribute to the local economy, support community events and organizations, and help maintain the ambitious spirit that has long been a hallmark of small-town North Dakota. With the increase use of AI and Canva we need to remember who supports our local teams, organizations and other businesses.
As Velva continues to grow and adapt to changing economic conditions, the success of long-standing local businesses serves as a reminder of the value of innovation, perseverance, and community support. Now this entrepreneur would like your input.
Are these senior recognition banners something you want to see continue in our community?
Since 2017 Frantsen has taken on the role of Aggies sports photographer. Do you like the sports photos, buttons, magnets, the memory mates, yard signs, team banners, sports programs, decals, flags, and so much more? Would you like her to continue to make these items for the Aggies?
Though residents may know it by a different name today, the business's commitment to serving local customers remains unchanged. From its beginnings as Designs On Broadway to its current identity as DeDesigns Co., the company continues to build on a legacy of creativity and service that spans more than 30 years and continues to play an important role within our community despite the company’s move to another city, which doesn’t mean Frantsen has stopped wanting to be a part of the Velva Aggies traditions she has started. Frantsen has proved she is “all in” numerous times for our community and will continue to do so. She has donated a percentage back to the Aggie’s Sports fund from every sports order she receives, as well as donated many hours and Aggies items to the school activities and extracurricular activities to use as fundraisers in support of their growth.
For many in the Velva area, it is a local success story - one that demonstrates how a small business can evolve with the times while staying true to its roots.
You can contact DeAnna at [email protected] or 701-839-1224. She would love your input.
DeAnna would like to give a shout out to Breanna Gange Photography who is a 2021 Velva Aggies graduate for taking her branding photos.
