Back Where I Come From...

I'm proud as anyone. There is nothing like Columbia, Tennessee. Not only am I am proud to call this place home , but I owe all the thanks to this community for supporting my business from the beginning and helping it to grow where it is today. I work on and off with several individuals and businesses in Columbia, and it seems most projects always seem to call for a historic/nostalgic design. There is something about the fall that brings back great memories of my hometown. Hence, my post about a few featured designs I've done for Columbia clients.Most recently, I did a direct mail design for the Columbia Main Street organization (pictured above). This particular piece was to promote an upcoming seminar featuring Jon Schallert, a Marketing Consultant and Business Coach. The event is targeted to business owners and city officials. I always love working on CMS designs to help promote Columbia's beautiful downtown.A few years ago, I worked with the Duck River Agency to create a River Guide that would be used in coordination with the Duck River Blueway project. This project was a challenge dealing with 17 pages - 14 of which included detailed maps of each float. This piece took a long time to finalize, but it turned out nice once we did. I am from Columbia, but I'll have to admit that I didn't know a whole lot about the history of the Duck River. I definitely learned a lot with this one!
In 2007, I entered a competion of designers in Columbia to create the Bicentennial logo for Columbia and Maury County. I entered two different designs, and the above logo was the winning design! This was another fun project to work on, and once again, I learned more about my city as I thought through the design. Below is the description that ran in the local paper.

Bicentennial Logo Explanation
As Columbia and Maury County both celebrate their Bicentennial in 2007, we reflect on 200 years of growth and development. This logo shows a representation of the progression of change throughout the eras. Each element plays a role in defining who we are today. Beginning with the earliest settlers in 1807, the cabin represents the foundation of some of the first inhabitants of Maury County, and the acorn is a symbol of the Polk family. Standing stately through the years, the antebellum home signifies what has become a trademark for Columbia and Maury County – majestic historic homes – each filled with its own story to add to the rich history of our city and county.The smoke stacks symbolize the industrial era which has increased growth and prosperity in the community. The mule represents Maury County’s agricultural roots as well as Mule Day, a nationally recognized event that draws many visitors to our area. The courthouse stands alone as a notable trademark for Maury County and will continue to be a source of pride with the downtown revitalization and River Walk. The green and blue represent the rich colors in the rolling hills and rivers of Tennessee, the growth of our city and county, as well as a remembrance of our local community college. Tying it all together is the “swoosh” to symbolize the Duck River which connects our past to the future.