Sparc
Sparc, a St. Paul-based community development corporation, helps both homeowners and businesses improve their properties. The organization’s residential programs assist homeowners who want to remodel their homes and help develop rental and housing options. Its commercial programs also help to improve the business skills of entrepreneurs and small businesses. Sparc coordinates various community-building efforts, including the Great Northern Corridor initiative and the Midway Home & Garden Show.
The result of a merger of the Hamline Midway Area Residents Council and NEAR (North End Area Revitalization), Sparc came to Triangle Park after the two groups had agreed upon a name for the new organization. Our initial charge was to develop a logo with identity pieces, a brochure, and a website. The resulting logo, which needed to work in two colors to minimize printing costs, suggests motion (through rotation) leading to increase (as the lines get wider). The font we used is related to the type used on street signs, which we felt was appropriate for an organization that works to improve urban spaces. The rounded ends in the logo were carried over into the letterforms in the name and became a reoccurring design motif that unifies all of Sparc’s designed pieces.
Subsequently, we have also created display panels, several annual reports, ads, a website, and event programs and postcards for Sparc.