Akron Reporter

Akron, Ohio — On June 13, the Akron Bicentennial Commission, established to oversee the planning and programming surrounding Akron’s 200th anniversary in 2025, announced the conclusion of a 7-month effort to select a logo design that will accompany all events and programs related to the Bicentennial celebration.

A Request for Qualifications was published by the City in October 2022, which attracted twenty-one submissions in January. The applications were reviewed by the Marketing Workgroup, and two finalists were asked to submit designs. The Commission selected the logo created by Eric Hancsak with About350 Creative, which is described as “a vibrant, colorful design representing Akron's variety and progress.” It will be used on a wide array of marketing material for the 200th anniversary celebration.

"We knew that graphic artists in our community had talent, and we received 21 designs from professionals which proved it,” said Judge Elinore Marsh Stormer, Chair of the marketing workgroup. “The Workgroup considered each individual design packet and has chosen an exciting design to celebrate our 200 years."

Applicants were asked to submit previous work in diverse sectors and to demonstrate their technical capability to perform the services required. From that request, the Commission chose two artists for an exploratory process to work through design options for the logo.

“The winning entry is an abstract representation with colorful lines ascending and descending to form the letter A,” says Dave Lieberth, Executive Secretary to the Commission. “The apex symbolizes progress and Akron’s being the high point of the historic Ohio & Erie Canal.”

The designer, Eric Hancsak said in his submission that the logo’s elements represent motion, energy and convergence. Hancsak has spent over 25 years in the marketing communications industry designing for clients ranging from Fortune 500s, to rock bands, to non-profits. His portfolio displays a breadth of media including traditional printed marketing materials, corporate identity and logo systems, video graphics, websites, and user experience interfaces. A graduate of and instructor at Kent State University's Visual Communications program, Eric has designed for a variety of brands including Toyo Tires, Sherwin Williams, The Pro Football Hall of Fame, Anheuser Busch, SeaWorld, and Sesame Workshop.

In 2001, he formed About350 Creative – now based in Hudson – and has grown his portfolio of clients to include the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Downtown Akron Partnership, Akron Roundtable, and Akron Children's Museum.

The commission’s Marketing Workgroup consists of the following individuals: Judge Elinore Marsh Stormer, Judge of the Probate Court of Summit County, Mac Love, Co-Founder Art x Love, Bronlynn Thurman, Program Officer with GAR Foundation, Dr. Paul Levy, Vice President and Chief of Staff The University of Akron, Gregg Mervis, CEO of the Akron-Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau,  James Weyrick, Ellet historian, David Lieberth, Executive Secretary of the Bicentennial Commission, and Stephanie Marsh, Chief Communications Officer City of Akron.

To learn more about Akron’s Bicentennial Commission please visit the city’s website here.

Original source can be found here.