This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
03/30/2023 03:17 PMSince the grand re-opening of East Haven TV (ETV) in November 2022, activity at its technologically resourceful Community Media Center base has been more exciting every day, according to board chair Jay Miles.
“The tech is working, scheduling is working; people are involved. We had a live stream meeting of the Economic Development Council with really vibrant public comments — folks came into the space for that meeting and were able to engage with the commission. Kind of all the things you want.”
Miles said the media organization recently came off a high point earlier this month, full of multiple live streams at different locations, camera shoots, podcasting, and editing sessions.
“It was kind of the high point so far as far as density,” said Miles.
But the building and its creative space needs a final and vital touch. As the entrance to ETV’s base on Main Street has no sign, the group is asking artists in the community to provide that last touch by entering its Design Our Sign contest.
ETV is looking for submissions for its new sign display from local artists, designers, and anyone from the public who wants to see their creation be the permanent exterior display above the facility’s door.
A new sign greeting people in the Community Media Center is not simply the icing on the cake for the space but rather should be “an extension of that effort to involve and promote” the creativity of the people of East Haven, Miles said.
Miles said the ideal design should reflect ETV’s creativity and diversity of media and production opportunities. In essence, a literal illumination of ETV’s vibrant, creative spirit, a sense that can be felt by a person who walks down Main Street and notices the sign.
“It’s literally meant to be a reflection of what our policies are like and what the potential is like. It’s literally going to be like a shining example in the night,” said Miles.
Miles references logos used by NASA and Instagram as examples of what it means for a design that is “slick, vibrant, engaging,” but not “cold or clinical,” as to lose a warm human touch.
Along with local artists, Miles said the contest presents a great opportunity for high school and college-age students who want to make an impression and score some points on their resumes.
“To a high school student or a college student doing graphic design, to a local artist who needs a little showpiece in their portfolio, we just thought it was the much more active, dynamic, engaging way to put a sign on the building,” he said.
The guidelines for designs read that designs must include the ETV logo, and the words, “COMMUNITY MEDIA CENTER,” in capital letters, while using the currently used Bebas Neue font. The design should also include the four “tech” icons on ETV’s current logo (a camera, cell phone, microphone, and computer system).
In the spirit of creativity, Miles said artists are free to use a different color scheme and even a different font if they see fit to create an inviting and eye-catching sign. He spoke to unique designs of other regional media centers that divert away from their town colors and how that could certainly apply for ETV.
“I’m sort of hoping that there’ll be a couple of entries that really shake up what we might normally have just kind of rubber-stamped and stuck on the building,” said Miles. “We could end up with something really unexpected and cool…And if that’s the one that feels best and looks great and, and speaks to some of these approaches and attitudes - this notion of like a public centric creative center - then I’m all for it.
Overall, Miles said the sign should depict a sense of “competence and confidence” in ETV and their media services to East Haven and be a literal sign of keeping close with the community.
“I think literally picking an entry from the public reinforces that idea that we can empower people to embrace this technology in clever, meaningful, engaging ways. And that will mean that’ll literally be on the front of our building,” he said.
Submissions for the new design should be sent in a color JPEG or PDF file to etvmc@gmail.com by April 28 at midnight. The finalists and subsequent winner will be announced on May 3 during the Great Give event. All designers must complete a Google Form before submitting their entry. The form and additional information on the contest’s guidelines and fine print details are available at easthaven.tv.