Laura to help town turn over new leaf

A 21-year-old WIT student is literally putting her mark on the heritage town of Lismore.

Laura Keane, from Carrick-on-Suir, Tipperary, has won a competition to design a brand logo for the town of Lismore in Waterford.

She created a “leaf” motif to claim a €3,000 award, to be divided between the third-year BA design (Visual Communications) student and her college. The motif will now represent the heritage town across a range of merchandise and services.

The entries were judged by a mix of public submissions and a four-member adjudication panel. Four finalists, two from WIT and one each from CIT and Dun Laoghaire’s Institute of Art, Design & Technology, joined their tutors, Co Waterford mayor Billy Kyne, local politicians and business representatives at Lismore House Hotel where the winner was announced by Lismore mayor Julie Landers.

Laura’s design depicts a two-tone leaf, incorporating outlines of Lismore Castle and the town’s St Carthage’s Cathedral. Five words accompany the motif: Vibrant, approachable, accessible, subtlety and assured.’ “Having visited Lismore I felt these qualities reflected its nature, its historical sites and its people,” said Laura, “and I hope my logo reflects them too.”

Laura said she was “absolutely shocked” to win her “first ever design competition”.

WIT design tutor Roger Cropera said the contest gave students the impetus of “a real commercial project on which to focus”, while Lismore Hotel proprietor and marketing group member David McCormack urged other towns and communities to follow suit. Pointedly, he added that he hoped “every student who provided such truly excellent work can find work in Ireland”. He also urged local businesses to hire brand Lismore for a wide range of merchandise, signage, event material and services, locally, nationally and internationally.

The logo will be officially launched on May 6.