When members of the Pioneer Log Cabin Society decided they would like to have a logo for the museum, they approached the Cassopolis Public Schools.

Shelly Johnson, who teaches art at Ross Beatty Jr./Sr. High School, said that originally the request was for one of her classes to incorporate the Pioneer Log Cabin Day into an art assignment.

“I had my curriculum planned already,” Johnson said of the original meeting. “We talked a little more and Nancy Bugajski said they were interested in asking a student to create a logo for the Pioneer Log Cabin.”

With seniors already graduated, Johnson had six remaining students in her advanced art class. That class includes students who are interested in going into art as a career.

“A logo and identity campaign is an excellent portfolio piece,” Johnson said. “Nancy agreed with my idea.”

Johnson and her students formed a mock advertising agency with hear as the art director and the six students took on the role of graphic designers.

“Students first brainstormed ideas and drew thumbnails of their ideas,” she said. “At this point we met as a group and collaborated. The idea was that we wanted someone from the group commissioned, so students critiqued and bounced ideas off of each other.”

After the students created their “final” drafts, they were critiqued again.

They then inked camera-ready logos. Then they worked as individuals to design a letterhead, envelope and business card.

“As in a real advertising agency, the graphic artists built presentation boards to be submitted to the Log Cabin committee,” Johnson said. “It was amazing watching the students work together as an agency. They were given a very small amount of time from start to finish and they jumped right on it.”

Bugajski and Ginger Luxemberger were thrilled with the results.

“We looked at several different things and finally we came up with the students creating a camera-ready logo for the Pioneer Log Cabin,” Bugajski said. “They would treat it like a business operation or a student was going in to apply for a job and wanted to show their portfolio. This logo that they created would be part of their portfolio.

“When the board next meets we will decided if we really like one, or if we want it fine-tuned. The kids will not be here in the summer, so we may make the announcement later.”

Cassidy Harasick, Khan Ratsamy, Molly Benson, Krystin Fulks, Gabrielle Davis and Eryn Forrest took part in the project.

“Creating a logo for the Cass County Pioneer Log Cabin was a new experience for me that I thoroughly enjoyed,” Fulks said. “It gave me a chance to work with Photoshop and work more closely with my peers as well. We had a chance to work as a team, making sure each one of us was ready to show our final work with pride.”

Forrest, like the other students, enjoyed collaborating on the project.

“Our time being an art agency was short lived, but I had fun getting together with my fellow classmates to discuss ideas for the logo for the Cass County Pioneer Log Cabin Museum,” she said. “Of course there were struggles coming up with good ideas, but the critiques from my peers and teacher made it easier to finish the logo.

“I am proud of myself, but really proud of my class for accepting a challenge at this level.

“Our teacher said they would have a hard time choosing a winner and I agree. The talent in our little agency is beyond phenomenal.”

Pioneer Log Cabin Day is June 26.