MERHS sophomores Vaughn O’Leary (far left) and Jack Alger (center left) share initial drawings for the logo design process with “clients,” Chris Thomas (center right) and Sue Thorne (far right) of the 375th Committee. The full presentation of the project — including three logo concepts — was the final exam in Caroline Epp’s class to strategize and design the town’s anniversary logo.
Isabel Lundstrom's logo design was chosen to represent Manchester's 375th Anniversary Celebration official events.
Early in 2019, Manchester’s 375th Celebration Committee set out to design a logo that would commemorate the town’s milestone anniversary next year. They found it in M-E Regional High School freshman Isabel Lundstrom, who came up with her design as part of a semester-long design class run by art teacher Caroline Epp.
Designing a logo is not a one-person job. And Ms. Epp’s Video and Graphic Design honors class learned that by working together over two months as if they were a marketing team in the creative department of a company. They conducted research, explored the history of Manchester, determined what the design had to accomplish, looked at what other towns created for their 375th celebrations, and then the class sketched and designed a series of logo options that fit their parameters. By June, they prepared for “the pitch” for “the Client” (i.e., the members of the 375th Celebration Committee).
All fourteen members of the class had a distinct role in the project, and the group posted artifacts of the entire process. Students from the research group summarized what they learned from Manchester Historical Museum Director Beth Whelan, who came to the class in March and shared the museum’s “Manchester 101” presentation. From Manchester’s cherished founding story of the ship Arbella anchoring in 1645 and the town’s evolution from a tiny fishing outpost to a bustling center for furniture making to the summer resident darling of the Gilded Age set, the class learned how Manchester came to be what it is today, a close-knit coastal community.
In the end, there were three design options. All were fantastic. But after deliberation, it was Lundstrom’s design that won out for its simplicity and its modern take on the seaside mark of Manchester. The colors mimic Manchester resident Ed Halstad’s beautiful 350th Anniversary logo from 25 years ago, which gives the logo a continuity. It works in all sizes, from a web bookmark to a t-shirt or a big physical poster. And best of all, Lundstrom’s logo is a natural complement to the town seal, which is critical since they will be used together quite a bit next year.
Selectman Margaret “Muffin” Driscoll said she was impressed by it. She said it was great to see “real world” projects done as part of a class curriculum.
375th Committee Chairman Tom Kehoe will officially present the logo to the Board of Selectman in the 375th Committee update. Isabel Lundstrom will be there to present the design. For her part, Isabel said she’s looking forward to attending the BOS meeting. She’s bringing along her parents, who will likely be very proud.
