Sims Hill - Community Supported Agriculture

Well, it was a long time coming this logo. A journey, started back in Spring. I saw a post on freeconomy looking for a designer to help with a community supported agriculture or CSA project called Sims Hill. As an idea that caught my imagination I volunteered my services. I also saw it as an opportunity to put into practice some of the ideas I have had for Raconteur design.

Sims Hill is essentially a space to the north of Bristol for community lead agriculture. It is lead by 6 individuals with diverse backgrounds but common hopes. http://simshillsharedharvest.wordpress.com/

"Sims Hill exists to create a partnership between people and the land that is mutually enriching."

Their short term aim is to enlist 100 paying members to get Sims Hill growing. In exchange for money, those members will hopefully receive food and the opportunity to learn how they may reconnect to the land both mentally and physically. In the long term this will be a centre for community development, running courses and open days. It will also be a fully fledged food producer, creating food locally and organically. They have the land and the skills, time, energy and dedication of the team. Now all they need is a good dose of will and support.

As food production and all the issues that connect with it, is something I feel passionate about I was pleased to be involved with the group. I hoped that through their design I would be able to help them tell their story to the people of Bristol. By doing so they would inspire others to become involved. it would effect a movement that empowers community and gives more choice as to where we get our food from.

As I have mentioned this journey is a long one and I must say at times one of the hardest design jobs I have been involved in. What have I learnt from the experience?

• It is crucial to meet with all those that will be involved with the decision making process. In this case it is all of the members of the team. That way, every voice is heard and a true picture of the group can be gained.

• The brief is everything! It is the story that makes the brief... All members need to agree upon one unified story. The story of their unique organisation. Then and only then can the visualisation of that story begin.

• Always agree on a time line for the project and try and stick to it as closely as possible for time is of the essence! There is nothing like a deadline to sharpen the mind... Without defined time lines, projects drift and loose focus.

Looking at the logo now and knowing what I know about the group that it represents... Do I think that it tells their story? The logo is gentle in nature, there is a cooperative sense of harmony about it. It speaks quietly and purposefully rather than shouting it's message. Stylistically it is purposefully rough -made not manufactured. Not slick or over designed it talks of our symbiotic relationship with the land: Shared Harvest - "partnership between people and the land that is mutually enriching." It passes a nod to the past and speaks of an era when things were simpler. OR perhaps it speaks more of a hope for times to come..

"Live simply so that others may simply live" - Ghandi

I think that by it's nature this identity will organically grow with the group it is representing. As a seed, this logo and the organisation it represents, is full of hope.