Sirius Theatrical Company’s
New Logo
For several years, I’ve been thinking about
having a new company logo designed for Sirius Theatrical. Then last fall, when our idea for the MY LAKESHORE - MY HOME festival was
accepted as a Signature Partnership Project by the City of Toronto Cultural
Hotspot program, I felt it was the right time to turn that idea into a reality.
Because we’re a small company and budgets are
always tight, one of our Advisory Committee members suggested that I contact
the ADCentre at the Humber College Lakeshore Campus and ask about finding a
student designer. Humber College, in
turn, asked if I would like to offer the design as a project for first year
students in the Advertising and Graphic Design program of the School of Media
Studies & information Technology. In
the past, Humber College students have worked on several company projects and I’ve
always enjoyed being able to offer them real world
experience. Their commitment to our projects, as well as
the quality of their work has always been high, so I happily said ‘yes’ this
time. Our new logo design was offered as
a competition and Sirius provided first, second and third place winners with
honoraria.
In early January, I presented a creative brief
to two classes. What a wonderful learning
experience that was for me! I wanted the
students to have a strong understanding of Sirius Theatrical, the company, but
also get to know me, the Artistic Director, since I founded the company and it
is my vision, with the guidance and help of our Advisory Committee and
Marketing Committee members, that drives our work and our commitment within the
community. I felt that it was important that they understand, not only what we
do, but our values and our mission. In
preparing my notes, I had to look back on the last 25 years, at where we are
now, and where I hope we’ll be in the future.
That was very enlightening for me.
Following my presentations to the class, the
students worked extensively with Sarah Nasby, their professor. On March 10 six pairs of students presented
their designs to Committee members, Susan Nagy and Linda Wild, and me. To say that we were thrilled with
the designs would be an understatement.
All six of them were unique and creative and truly tried to capture the ‘essence’
of who we are and what we do.
The winning design was created by Claire Gabe
and Claire Mills, the second place
design by Sam McLeod and Mike Bobby, and the third place design by Matt
Miller and Lucas Smith. Congratulations
to everyone!
I’d like that
thank Sarah Nasby, Professor, School of Media Studies and Information
Technology, for all her work with, and support of, the students. They are fortunate to have her insight and
expertise. Thanks as well to Alison
Durtnall, Professor, CABA and Manager, AdCentre at Humber College who shepherded me through this experience with enthusiasm and patience. The feedback and insight from Committee
Members Susan Nagy and Linda Wild, both during and after the designs were
presented, was invaluable and very much appreciated.
And finally, many thanks to Claire Gabe and Claire Mills for their
exciting, imaginative and thought-filled design.
Heather.
