Background

It’s no secret that Lancaster, PA holds a rich history.

The Red Rose City has served as capital of the country, home to renowned painter Charles Demuth, and is the location of the oldest continuously operated farmers market in the States, to name a few notable items. What might not be as known are the achievements of underrecognized communities, whose resilience left a great impact on Lancaster and beyond. The Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County set out to give well-deserved recognition to six of those communities, highlighting a historic figure to represent each one.

Going on display at the historic Lancaster Amtrak Station, where there is never a shortage of foot traffic from rail passengers and patrons, we found a balance between informative and expressive to create an engaging experience. From naming, to design, to installation, every part of this process saw close collaboration with many partners in the Lancaster community, bringing this mosaic of well-deserved recognition to life. We created a contrasting, cohesive typographic hierarchy and limited color palette to shape the exhibit’s bold identity. This worked alongside a grid system that allowed the articles and artifacts shine, giving them the attention they deserve. After its time at the Amtrak Station, the exhibit was moved to the Historic Preservation Trust office at the Sehner-Ellicott-von Hess House.

Background

The Ware Center has become known for providing the region with an unmatched range of artistic experiences.

Since their start in 2010, the center has cemented itself as a cultural anchor, offering their diverse calendar of events in a location within reach of the historic Lancaster Central Market and the artistic energy of Gallery Row. Fifteen years into their mission of lifting all voices through the arts, they evolved their name to effectively represent what they do and, with it, sought to create a new identity to establish the rebrand.

Recognition of the Ware namesake became a foundational element. We kept the “W” initial throughout the process for a sense of familiarity with the old identity, while also allowing the new design to identify more with Lancaster and the Center’s mission of “lifting all voices through the arts.” The result was a logomark that combined all three directions, creating a rose whose petals are arranged to identify with their name and give symbolic reference to their mission. The new logo met an expansive logo system, making it versatile to meet any application effectively. Remaining elements of the visual identity, starting with the typographic system and extended color palette, set the new brand in motion through new signage and a variety of print and digital materials.

Background

Manheim Township Educational Foundation, simply known as MTEF, has earned a long-standing reputation of providing resources to educators, administrators, and school-related groups for enhancing and enriching the educational experience of Manheim Township students in Pennsylvania.

Since 1993, MTEF has been raising funds through a variety of sources, including foundation and institutional grants, endowments, and fundraising events and campaigns. Their dedication to supporting projects has improved and enhanced the mission of the Manheim Township School District. They voiced the need for a new brand identity that reflects their student community and a digital experience designed to scale with their impact through more effective communication.

Known as the Blue Streaks, Manheim Township School District has become identified by a blue lightning bolt. Exploring a lightning bolt feature was a natural first step. We designed a lettermark emphasizing the acronym of the organization with “lightning bolts” in the details of each letterform. This created an instantly recognizable logo that corresponded with the school district without causing confusion. Details of the lettermark became the foundation for the visual identity, guiding everything from selection of colors and type, to the creation of graphic elements. The new website aided establishing the new identity, creating an engaging experience that effectively communicates the impact of MTEF and encourages support of their mission.