Students Design <em>Year of the Arts</em> Logo
During his State of the College address in February, President Aaron Podolefsky declared the 2011-2012 academic year to be the Year of the Arts at Buffalo State, saying: “The arts are something we do very well at Buffalo State. They’re crucial to our mission as a public university. They are a source of pride as well as sustenance. And I believe this is the perfect time to highlight and celebrate them.”
In order to brand more than 100 upcoming arts-related events as Year of the Arts events, Benjamin Christy, dean of the School of Arts and Humanities, commissioned the design of an official Year of the Arts logo—and he knew that students in the communication design program would be up to the task.
“Student involvement is integral to the success of the Year of the Arts,” said Christy. “We have such a wealth of talent in the arts and having our students design the logo that will be used throughout the year is a wonderful opportunity to showcase that talent.”
In a unique collaboration between the School of Arts and Humanities, the College Relations Office, and the Design Department, Professor Stanley Friesen’s DES 479-Multimedia class accepted the challenge to create an attractive, distinct logo that conveys the importance of the arts at Buffalo State.
Twelve upper-level students—Shannon Berkel, Joe Celestino, Mike Chudy, Danielle Cook, Stacey Cyman, Meggan Empric, David Koszka, Deanna Kwiatkowski, Ashley Oberg, Joshua Ray, Molly Vigrass, Maria Woszczak—participated in the rigorous design process.
Each student began by sketching 96 logo ideas and, with class input, then focused on four designs. After hand-drawing four detailed logos, each student selected one version to digitize. Additional class critique allowed the students to refine the balance, typography, and visual impact of their final design. Each student also produced a five-second logo animation, complete with sound, to accompany the static logo.
On April 21, the class presented its designs to Christy and Anthony Chase of the School of Arts and Humanities; Robert Wood of the Design Department; and Brian Kantz and Lynda Donati of College Relations. College Relations ultimately chose the official Year of the Arts logo—an edgy, expressive mark created by David Koszka.
“We were extremely impressed with the quality of work submitted by the students and are grateful to Stan Friesen for overseeing the design process. We had 12 professional-grade logo designs to choose from and we’re pleased to announce that David Koszka’s design will represent the Year of the Arts,” said Kantz, director of publications. “This logo design process illustrates what the Year of the Arts is all about—celebrating the incredible creative talent and energy that exists here on campus.”
Flickr gallery: Year of the Arts designs submitted by students in DES 479-Multimedia.
In order to brand more than 100 upcoming arts-related events as Year of the Arts events, Benjamin Christy, dean of the School of Arts and Humanities, commissioned the design of an official Year of the Arts logo—and he knew that students in the communication design program would be up to the task.
“Student involvement is integral to the success of the Year of the Arts,” said Christy. “We have such a wealth of talent in the arts and having our students design the logo that will be used throughout the year is a wonderful opportunity to showcase that talent.”
In a unique collaboration between the School of Arts and Humanities, the College Relations Office, and the Design Department, Professor Stanley Friesen’s DES 479-Multimedia class accepted the challenge to create an attractive, distinct logo that conveys the importance of the arts at Buffalo State.
Twelve upper-level students—Shannon Berkel, Joe Celestino, Mike Chudy, Danielle Cook, Stacey Cyman, Meggan Empric, David Koszka, Deanna Kwiatkowski, Ashley Oberg, Joshua Ray, Molly Vigrass, Maria Woszczak—participated in the rigorous design process.
Each student began by sketching 96 logo ideas and, with class input, then focused on four designs. After hand-drawing four detailed logos, each student selected one version to digitize. Additional class critique allowed the students to refine the balance, typography, and visual impact of their final design. Each student also produced a five-second logo animation, complete with sound, to accompany the static logo.
On April 21, the class presented its designs to Christy and Anthony Chase of the School of Arts and Humanities; Robert Wood of the Design Department; and Brian Kantz and Lynda Donati of College Relations. College Relations ultimately chose the official Year of the Arts logo—an edgy, expressive mark created by David Koszka.
“We were extremely impressed with the quality of work submitted by the students and are grateful to Stan Friesen for overseeing the design process. We had 12 professional-grade logo designs to choose from and we’re pleased to announce that David Koszka’s design will represent the Year of the Arts,” said Kantz, director of publications. “This logo design process illustrates what the Year of the Arts is all about—celebrating the incredible creative talent and energy that exists here on campus.”
Flickr gallery: Year of the Arts designs submitted by students in DES 479-Multimedia.
Media Contact:
Brian Kantz, Director or Publications | 7168784203 | kantzbc@buffalostate.edu