REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
DATE: Regular Meeting of July 23, 2024
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
SUBMITTED BY: Dante Hall, City Manager
SUBJECT: Approval of Final Hercules Logo Design
RECOMMENED ACTION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the final version of the Hercules logo. Upon adoption, Tripepi Smith will generate a logo library of derivative versions, including horizontal, 1-color, and simplified versions for various uses.
BACKGROUND:
Hercules has evolved over the last few decades to become a more vibrant and inclusive community with many new developments. More families, professionals, and businesses are attracted to the City due to its growth into a transit-oriented community, convenient location to major job centers, and lifestyle opportunities. Therefore, staff believes the City of Hercules could benefit from building brand awareness by utilizing various public relations strategies and activities. A public relations firm could perform a range of duties that will familiarize residents, visitors, and the region with the distinctive qualities of the City and the opportunities that come with residing, visiting, and investing in the City.
In February 2024, the City of Hercules contracted with Tripepi Smith to provide branding services, including a new logo to use in conjunction with the Hercules seal, branding guidelines, and new branded templates.
ANALYSIS:
As part of the logo development process, Tripepi Smith interviewed the City staff, City Councilmembers, and circulated a brand survey to Hercules community members, and community-based organizations. All 180 survey responses received were incorporated in the Brand Research Summary, driving the development of eight logo concepts that were reviewed and discussed by the City Council at the April 23rd Council meeting.
Based on feedback from City Council, Tripepi Smith created a refined set focusing on four logo design concepts for consideration. Tripepi Smith then distributed a "Focus Round" Survey via email asking participants to identify which concept and overall logo design they preferred.
At the May 28th Council meeting, the City Council deliberated on the four logo options and identified a narrower set of options to consider and discuss further. Following Council direction, Tripepi Smith then conducted focused meetings with Councilmembers and the City Manager, using a weighted star system to rank the four concepts. Concept 1 was selected by City Council members as the preferred option, with minor variations to approve or eliminate.
Based on Council feedback, Tripepi Smith created four variations of logo Concept 1. These variations removed the phrase "Since 1900," used different fonts, and included options both with and without the quail. The City Council discussed these four options at the June 25 Council meeting and voted in favor of option 1C (attached), which features the quail and uses Serif Font. Tripepi Smith has prepared a finalized version of logo concept 1C for adoption consideration.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The recommended action has no fiscal impact.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Proposed Hercules Logo Design 1C