Introducing Our New Look
The North Hartford Ascend initiative is dedicated to guiding children from infancy to adulthood, ensuring that those residing within the North Hartford Promise Zone – which includes the Clay Arsenal, Northeast, and Upper Albany neighborhoods – receive the support they need to reach their full potential. Established in 2022, Ascend has significantly expanded its presence and impact within the community, prompting the need for a program rebrand. This rebrand aims to amplify community voices and reinforce the program's connection to the children and families it serves. We are excited to unveil our new logo, share insights into our updated brand identity, and express our optimism about the positive impact it will have within our community.
Meet the Artist
I'm Tajh Hamilton, a Hartford native hailing from the North End. Raised by hard-working Jamaican immigrant parents who always aimed for a better future, I attended local schools growing up. Recently, I graduated from the University of Hartford in the spring of 2023 with a degree in Visual Communications Design.
Since kindergarten, I've been drawn to creativity, starting with doodling dinosaurs with crayons. This passion evolved into my dream of becoming a graphic designer. Now, I'm excited to contribute to my community using the skills I've developed.
Reflecting on the North Hartford Ascend logo, I focused on the concept of "future." This logo holds significance for the program, emphasizing community progress and better futures. Incorporating a sun to symbolize hope, I utilized bold modern text to highlight "Hartford Ascend." The style is a blend of modern and timeless, suitable for the evolving times.
I believe the Ascend logo tells a story, symbolizing positive change for our community.
Putting Voices First
Since its start, Ascend has facilitated Community Conversations both in person and via Zoom. Through the feedback gathered from these events, it became evident that a misalignment existed between the original logo and the sentiments of the community. Given that Ascend's core mission revolves around elevating and empowering community voices, the brand needed to embody this commitment. Therefore, community organizations and residents played an integral role in the rebranding process, actively participating in the design creation, offering feedback, and remaining engaged at every stage of the journey.
To capture the essence of North Hartford Ascend, community members and residents were invited to participate in a survey to articulate their visions for the brand identity. Following the survey's completion, a search began to enlist a local community artist to craft the brand's new logo. Each step of the way, the community has been integrated into this journey, ensuring their perspectives remain at the forefront.
Visit Our Website & Join Us for Community Conversations!
Head to our website now to learn more and see our upcoming dates for Community Conversations.