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.