THE PRESS CLUB OF CLEVELAND
Modern media gets press with a new 3D design.
Designer: Ronda Ramsey
The Press Club of Cleveland is an organization with
a colorful past, encompassing over 120 years and
serving professionals in various media: print, radio,
TV and internet. Lee Moran, production manager
for The News-Herald, wants an updated look for the
city’s Press Club to attract a younger audience.
Moran says the current logo’s lettering is “hard
to read. The design was never in digital format, and
the original has been lost.” The identity appears in
informational materials as well as promotional print
pieces and on the web.
Most of the work (printing, newsletter, etc.) for
the group is donated by members and their companies,
so keeping costs to a minimum is a concern.
Lee also requests the group’s color, Reflex Blue, be
maintained for recognition and consistency.
“Instead of using a graphic combining all of
the media The Press Club serves,” suggests designer
Ronda Ramsey, “have the design focus on TPC
instead. And simplify the design.” As shown at right,
early explorations centered on The Press Club name.
One variation used a funky type treatment on the
initials TPC. Another version was also somewhat
modern and reflected the name as though seen in a
glossy tabletop.
The final redesign incorporates a 3D bubble
in Reflex Blue. The bubble, according to Ramsey,
encompasses all media and communication, focusing
on the message rather than the delivery mechanism.
Ramsey used the font Impact for the name of
the organization because of its legibility and rounded
corners, which pair well with the bubble graphic. To
keep the emphasis on TPC, the second portion of the
name needs to be kept at smaller size, yet readable,
so the designer chose the font Helvetica—it’s strong,
recognizable and legible at all sizes.
