Students in Tao Chen’s Graphic Design II class gained some exciting, real life practical skills this past semester, creating a new logo for the town of Chaplin. The students worked with Professor Emerita Leslie Ricklin, chair of the Chaplin Bicentennial Committee.

Ricklin approached Chen for support in creating a logo for the 2022 bicentennial and he readily agreed to enlist his students. Two committee members visited the class to explain the project, and the students eventually created 26 designs.

“We planned on displaying the designs for townspeople to view and vote on their three favorites,” said Ricklin, “but then the coronavirus hit.” Not to be deterred, Ricklin and her committee used the town library website to display the student work and enlisted SurveyMonkey to allow townspeople to vote on their favorites.

The committee then met by Zoom to determine the three finalists and offered suggestions to the students that resulted in final artwork. Students Patrick Hawkins, Russell Lowell and Victoria Puapuaga created the three top designs. The Bicentennial Committee selected Hawkins’s work as the final design. 

Chen’s students conducted research on the town’s history and environment; came up with specific visual solutions aimed for targeted audiences; and continued refining their designs based on feedback gathered through individual and class critiques. The students considered it a great experience interacting with Professor Ricklin and the Chaplin Bicentennial Committee.

“This community-based project effectively motivated the students,” said Chen. “Also, the design process helped them to develop a deeper understanding of conceptualizing their ideas by using design elements and aesthetics appropriately. Enthusiasm, hard work and good communication between both sides led this community project to a successful ending.”

Chen said Eastern’s Digital Art and Design program really values community engagement experiences, as community engagement is an important component of the curriculum, one that educates  students not only to be professionals in the field, but also to develop their lifelong citizenship.

Professor Ricklin said the Town of Chaplin will show its appreciation monetarily. “Dr. Chen and his students have given us a wonderful gift of a new and artistic logo for us to display on different items as we plan for our bicentennial. Our town will be sending the ECSU Foundation a donation to the Arnold Prince Scholarship Fund.”