Erin Kristalyn photo Molly Stoyles received a $1,000 prize for her logo.

Graphic design student Molly Stoyles’ winning logo for the 175th anniversary of the completion of the Rideau Canal was unveiled in December at the Bytown museum.

A contest was created by Parks Canada to find a logo that suited its tastes and gave students an opportunity to get involved in celebrating Canadian history.

“The judging panel, composed of Parks Canada employees and Friends of the Rideau volunteers, were surprised and impressed by the quality of work shown by the students,” Marjolène Alie, project officer for Rideau 175, wrote in an e-mail.

Molly’s design was chosen from about 50 submissions from students at Algonquin, St. Lawrence College and La Cité Collégiale. Alie wrote that Stoyle’s logo design was chosen because it met the criteria they specified.

“It was easily identifiable, creative and bilingual,” she wrote. “Further, the colours proposed by Molly and her artwork clearly communicated the Rideau Canal's 175th anniversary.”

Stoyles did a lot of background research into the canal when designing the logo for Parks Canada. She knew it had to appeal to a government organization and chose to simplify the image of a windlass and gears, the crank-like device used to open and close a lock.

Chris Jones, coordinator of the graphic design program, said that because the Rideau Canal stretches further than Ottawa, Stoyles’ design was something people along the entire waterway could identify with.

David Bromley, professor of graphic design, got Stoyles interested in the contest in the 2005 fall semester.

“He knew I was interested in logo design so he approached me about it and I went to him with a couple of versions,” Stoyles said.

Logo design is an interest of hers, but she works for MD Financial, a branch under the Canadian Medical Association, doing design and production.

“I try to get involved in logo design whenever I can,” she said. “I love it.”

Stoyles won $1,000 for her design and has received paid work from Parks Canada to adapt her design for mediums like websites and large vertical banners.

Graphic design competitions can be a great way for students to enhance their portfolio and have real world experiences, said Jones.

The real world experience received from contests like the one she participated in is something Stoyles also appreciates.

“It’s a great way to have your work reviewed by professional people,” she said. “To be able to add award-winning or prize-winning designers to your portfolio or CV is a big deal.”