Developing a Logo

Over the past two years a lot has changed for the Qualicum Weavers and Spinners.  Our long time home in the loft at the old VIA train station was redeveloped.  With the assistance of the Town of Qualicum Beach we found a new location at Qualicum Commons.  (The Commons is at 744 Primrose Street in downtown Qualicum Beach.)

VIA train station

our new home

  The new ground floor location solved our problems with accessibility and security.  It allowed us to expand our studio and our studio-based activities.  Coincidentally our membership increased dramatically.  But the move also changed the guild's financial obligations.  We are now responsible for the rent for the studio space.

visitors at our open studio event

The experience made us realize how important it is to have a visible presence in the community.  Government support was instrumental in our successful transition to our new location.  In addition to the support of the Town of Qualicum Beach, the Regional District of Nanaimo has given us grants that have helped us to deliver new programs out of our studio space.  However, in the long run our success will depend upon public support for our sales and revenue generating activities.

spinning demo in costume

art in action demo

While we have always participated in community events, people often don't recognize us as a distinct organization.  They are also unclear on how to contact us or where to find basic information about us.  With that in mind, the guild executive decided that we need to present a more unified approach to public communications.  Developing a logo was the first step.  The promotions committee was given that job.

The many hours of deliberations that led to our logo helped us to understand how the guild has evolved.  While the core principles of education and support remain, our actual fibre interests have expanded.  New members have brought new skills to the group.  Now we felt, we fuse, we spin, we weave in many ways, we braid, we knit and we crochet.

afghan in hand spun yarn samples

We decided that our logo should be true to our values of personal growth and support but that we needed to think beyond the spindle and the shuttle.  We also wanted a logo that was consistent with informality and a creative spirit. 





We took our general concepts to a communications professional, Robin Smith.  Robin helped us to develop our crude drawing into the graphic design pictured below.  We are very grateful for her expertise.