New Toad Hall Logo

I developed a new logo for my client Toad Hall Bookstore in Rockport, MA. It is unique in that it is both a nonprofit organization, and a retail bookstore) Their problem was that their original 1972 logo was in desperate need of an update.  The original logo was a non-vector file with limited usage.  They wanted more flexibility of usage including web and premium items.

The solution called for a completely redrawn Mr. Toad to make him more active in appearance I updated the type and added color. The file was built in Adobe illustrator as a scaleable vector.

Scaling Up!: New Strategies for Landscape-scale Conservation

A new logo that I developed for the Essex National Heritage Commission. It is for an upcoming symposium that will feature international, national, and regional leaders who will share the conceptual framework and the implementation strategies that are currently being employed in the landscape-scale conservation movement.

In response to the impacts of globalization, climate change, and widespread environmental degradation, conservationists, resource stewards, and public officials are embracing a much larger, whole ecosystem approach to conserving land and its attendant historic and cultural attributes. This is a radical departure from the nearly 400-year-old New England practice of dividing land into ever smaller parcels and focusing on development and preservation principally at the local level.  This new approach requires building complex networks of
partnerships and overlapping jurisdictions which work in concert to conserve the natural, cultural, and historic resources of the regional landscape.  The purpose of this symposium is to provide an overview of the most current national/international strategies and then as the day
progresses to look more closely at the implementation work of'on-the-ground' practitioners.

Essex Coastal Scenic Byway Signs Installed

Wayfinding Signage System Promotes
Heritage Tourism in 14 Coastal Communities

The Byway signage project that I started work on almost 5 years ago as designer for New Arts Collaborative has been officially completed! The official press release from the Essex National Commission is below.

"SALEM – The Essex National Heritage Commission (Essex Heritage) is pleased to announce the installation of directional signage along the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway, a state-designated route linking 14 coastal communities from Lynn to Salisbury. The wayfinding signage system is a key component of a tourism-based economic development initiative showcasing the region’s historic, cultural, and natural places.

Over 175 signs bearing the scenic byway logo are located on the state highways and municipal roads that form the approximately 90-mile byway designated by the state over a decade ago. The comprehensive signage system will direct travelers along the roadway and to the byway from access routes leading from Interstate 95, Route 128, and Route 1. From south to north, the byway communities are Lynn, Swampscott, Marblehead, Salem, Beverly, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Gloucester, Rockport, Essex, Ipswich, Rowley, Newbury, Newburyport and Salisbury.

“Essex Heritage is pleased to be partnering with leaders in the 14 byway communities to promote greater visitation to hundreds of unique North Shore destinations, many of which helped to define America’s historical and cultural legacy” said Essex Heritage CEO Annie Harris. “It’s a fitting tribute that through the development and promotion of the scenic byway these enduring local landmarks can continue to generate economic and quality of life returns for the businesses and residents of the coastal region.”

Envisioned as a sustainable form of economic development, the route of the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway was established by the state legislature in the mid-2000s. A comprehensive corridor management completed in 2011 identified directional signage as a top priority. The Essex Coastal byway is one of 15 state-designated scenic byways in Massachusetts.

The wayfinding signage system was funded by a grant from the Federal Highway Administration with matching funds provided by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The Essex Coastal Scenic Byway logo was designed by New Arts Collaborative. Engineering firm Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. developed the sign installation plan. The signs were fabricated and installed by RoadSafe Traffic Systems.

About Essex Heritage and the Essex National Heritage Area

Essex Heritage is the non-profit organization that manages the Essex National Heritage Area by developing programs that enhance, preserve, and encourage recreation, education, conservation and interpretation projects on Boston’s North Shore and the Lower Merrimack River Valley. The Essex National Heritage Area is comprised of the 34 cities and towns of Essex County, MA. For more information, visit www.EssexHeritage.org or call (978) 740-0444."

Contact:

Bill Steelman, Chief Operating Officer

(978) 740-0444 / bills@essexheritage.org

House of Seven Gables Logo Redesign

Recently did a redesign of the House of Seven Gables logomark. The original logomark was a pen and ink rendering of the house from approximately this view. It had not been updated in decades, and was basically unusable in print because of it's size and complexity. it was also only available as a lo-rez raster image. I redrew the house as a vector and produced both a one-color and 8-color version incorporating the gables existing wordmark. It can now be used in print and on premium items at almost any size. Making an old logo useful again!

Paul's Voice Logo

Recently developed a small-business identity package for client Paul Tomchyshyn. Paul is a talented voice-over artist who was looking to brand his business and materials with a new logo, business card and stationary.

Door:Closed Painting Selected as Signature Image

ZEPHYR GALLERY of Salem, MA has selected DOOR: CLOSED, a painting by emerging artist George Courage who resides in Salem as their signature image for their show HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS. The majestic architecture, the friendly downtown, and the striking waterfront combine to make Salem, MA, a beautiful place to live, work, and play. HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS will showcase both past and present scenes of Salem. Do not be fooled by the title—not all of the works in this show will be saccharin sweet. Many facets of Salem will be on view, including almost gritty street photographs of Canal Street and an eerie infrared photograph of the First Church. Of course, the Friendship will be seen, including a painting framed with wood from the ship.
Confirmed artists include: John Andrews, Sara Ashodian, Beads by Beardslee, Laurie Bellin, james bird, James Bostick, Arlene Browne, Dan Browne, Cappuccio Photography, George Courage, Paul S. Cultrera, Sr., Jeff Dykes, Glenn French, East India Silk Company, Delia R. Faria, Constance Festo Lafond, Lisa Galperin, Wendy Howard, Bill Kelley, Leetie Lovendale, Christine Michelini, Mill 77 Trading Company, Pat O’Donnell, Roderick O’Flaherty, Ken Riaf, Vicki Ryer, David Stoffregen, Mary Taddie, and Ray Wengenroth. The majority of our artists are residents of Massachusetts, particularly Salem, Beverly, Gloucester, and the Cape.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS will be on view from December 4 through December 24, 2015. Visitation is free and open to the public.

ABOUT ZEPHYR GALLERY: Zephyr Gallery opened in August 2015 and is the newest contemporary art gallery in historic Salem, MA. We represent artists mostly from the North Shore, but also from Maine, Michigan, Missouri, and New York. We feature painting, photography, sculpture, wearable art, jewelry, unique gifts, and home décor.
For further information, please visit our website at www.zephyrARTgallery.com or find us on Facebook at Zephyr Gallery.

Essex Coastal Scenic Byway logo featured at ENHC meeting

The Essex Coastal Scenic Byway logo was featured at the fall ENHC (Essex National Heritage Commission) meeting held at the Cabot Cinema in Beverly, MA, on October 15th. ENHC director Annie Harris reported that the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway signage (which I designed) will be fabricated this winter and should be installed along the byway route by next spring.

New Blog!

This will be the site of my new website blog. I will still be posting to and maintaining my http://georgecouragecreative.blogspot.com/ blog for my more personal stuff. This page will be for updates about my latest graphic design and illustration work.