A Little History
For a little context, this was an official project from the city of Grand Rapids. The city was incorporated in May of 1850, which made 2025 the dodransbicentennial—also known as the 175th anniversary.
That number is pretty small when compared to some of the European, African, and Asian places that I’ve been; but it’s pretty impressive by U.S. standards. Therefore, it required creating an impressive logo!
Shop the 175th Collection
The logo was released under a CC license, which allowed me to keep the rights while also making it widely available. In another way, I could offer a whole bunch of items in my Grand Rapids Branding store, without limiting how others from using the design.
I’ve created several versions of the logo—each tailored for different uses, styles, and formats—so there’s something for just about everything.
Bridge Blue
Bridge Blue is pulled straight from the iconic Blue Bridge downtown—probably the most photographed spot in the city
Market Red
Market Red nods to the produce, people, and energy of the Fulton Street Farmers Market
Golden Pilsner
Golden Pilsner tips its hat to the beer scene we’re known for
Riverfront Mist
Riverfront Mist adds a cool balance, and I didn't want to name it after the sky all winter long.
Shop the 175th Collection
Interested in showing off your own personal #175GR swag? I highly encourage it! Whether you’re repping the city during festival season, grabbing a gift for a fellow Grand Rapidian, or just want something that looks cool and local, this collection’s for you. Everything below features the official anniversary logo—ready to wear, gift, or keep as a little piece of GR history.
Making the Logo
Designing something meant to represent 175 years of Grand Rapids is no small thing. I spent a lot of time digging into the city’s history, walking the neighborhoods, and sketching out ideas that could feel both timeless and local. The final logo pulls from that research—a balance of structure and movement, echoing the city’s blend of heritage and momentum.
“Grand Rapids has such a storied past and a bright future. We can’t wait to share these special moments with everyone throughout the year and are eager to see how the community proudly adopts the logo and incorporates the celebration into their branding and special events of their own throughout the year. Join us as we embark on this exciting journey to celebrate 175 years of community, culture, and progress in Grand Rapids!
– Doug Matthews, Asst. City Manager
Go Forth and Celebrate!
I hope this project comes off as exciting as it was to work on. It’s also one of my more serendipitous stories of being found at an art market, talking about what the possibility of this could look at, and finally, putting it out into reality!
If you have any photos of any of the artwork in public, or a favorite piece you purchased from me, I love seeing that stuff! Send me a message on Instagram or email me the photos. It never gets old, truly.
Press Coverage
This project has not been short of a few mentions in the wild! I’ve linked a few favorites for some additional reading:
- Meet the artist behind Grand Rapids’ 175th anniversary logo | The Rapidian
- Grand Rapids to celebrate 175 years of cityhood with party, contests and more | MLive
- How the city is celebrating its “dodransbicentennial” | WZZM 13
- Grand Rapids hosting free birthday bash this weekend to celebrate city’s 175th anniversary | 13 On Your Side
- Photo exhibition celebrates Grand Rapids history on 175th anniversary | Yahoo! News
