ISSUED: 20 April 2018
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — A logo designed by a Shepherd University student for the Potomac River Fire Crew at Harpers Ferry Job Corps will be seen all over the country on t-shirts, water bottles, belt buckles, vehicles, and signage. Hannah Gaylor, an art major with a graphic design concentration from Hagerstown, Maryland, created the design, which depicts a steam train engine on tracks coming across the Potomac River bridge at Harpers Ferry with the hills lit on fire in the background.
Gaylor worked with Gabe Templeton, the fire management officer at Harpers Ferry Job Corps, to create the new logo, which is an identifier as well as a symbol of pride for the team.
“I enjoyed working with Gabe and getting to design a logo for his fire crew,” Gaylor said. “I was tasked with incorporating several elements into the logo including a steam train and river. I am very pleased with the final logo design and was thrilled to make Gabe’s vision come to life.”
Job Corps is a no-cost education and career technical training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor offering academic and vocational training for those ages 16-24 who meet low-income requirements. Harpers Ferry Job Corps offers programs such as cement masonry, brick laying, carpentry, office administration, information technology, and advanced information technology.
Harpers Ferry is one of 26 Job Corps across the country that trains students for jobs with the U.S. Forest Service in areas such as forestry, fire, maintenance, and business management. The Potomac River Fire Crew has fought fires all over the country from Alaska to West Virginia. Templeton said the training this program provides brings students a sense of purpose, a source of income, and job security.
Gaylor worked with Templeton throughout the semester to create and fine-tune the design. The logo was completed and released to the client in mid-March.
“Client collaborations are integral in the growth of a student-designer and require students to listen to the client goals and explore ways to achieve it,” said Kristin Kaineg, associate professor of art. “It is during these experiences students realize design is not about them, but being able to synthesize multiple elements into a cohesive unit. Hannah did an extraordinary job balancing the train, river, bridge, and type to create an identifier Gabe and his team are proud to wear and display.”
“Shepherd University has a long history of supporting Harpers Ferry Job Corps through volunteer and class-related projects,” Templeton said. “Hannah Gaylor’s professionalism and creativity has provided the Harpers Ferry Job Corps fire program with a quality logo that will instill pride in our students, center, and program.”
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