Designer Derek Mohr, shares a behind-the-scenes look at his process and collaboration with the city of Grand Rapids to create a logo for the city’s dodransbicentennial.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2025 marked the official 175th anniversary of the city of Grand Rapids, accompanied by the unveiling of a new anniversary logo to mark the occasion.
As the celebratory branding continues to be spotted throughout Grand Rapids, the designer of the official logo, Derek Mohr of OneMohrTime Design Co. and Grand Rapids Branding Co., shares a behind-the-scenes look at his process and collaboration with the city.
Mohr wanted to create something new, looking forward to the future of Grand Rapids, while honoring the history of the city where he grew up.
“Even though this design can only really live for one year, I hope it conveys a sense of timelessness,” said Mohr. “The bold design is modern, while paying homage to Grand Rapids’ growth in the industrial era. The modified blues, yellows, and reds give the logo that recognizable Grand Rapids look, while being slightly faded for a more retro aesthetic.”
Mohr’s favorite element of the design is one that came about through a long process of collaboration, creativity, and repetition. As he worked on the logo over the course of weeks, Mohr realized that the “IDS” at the end of “RAPIDS” mirrored the shape of the number 175.
“It was a fun discovery, realizing this design can only work for this year, this city, and this anniversary!” said Mohr. “It’s entirely unique. Writing 175 directly into Grand Rapids – so it looks like GRAND RAP175 – solidified the direction of the design. Working closely with the Assistant City Manager, Doug Matthews, we realized that we could add a visual representation of rapids into the word “Rapids” as well.”
The three repeating wave elements also honor Grand Rapids’ location on the ancestral land of the People of the Three Fires, or the Anishinaabeg.
Mohr hopes that Grand Rapidians will participate in the upcoming festivities to celebrate the city’s anniversary – and use the logo themselves. The design has a creative commons license, meaning anyone can use the logo to show their love for Grand Rapids.
“Good designs never happen in a silo, so communication and an active partnership are the foundation of a strong design, like this one,” said Mohr. “I’ve been grateful for the fantastic feedback from the city at every step of the process. Now, I’m excited to see how the design continues to grow, as everyone gets involved. I hope every resident can feel a sense of ownership and community in this project.”
The Assistant City Manager, Doug Matthews, feels the same: “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!”
If you’d like to download and use the logos for free or get involved in the anniversary celebrations, visit the Experience Grand Rapids website to learn more.
To find more of Derek Mohr’s design work, follow him on social media at @onemohrtimedesign or visit his website at onemohrti.me.
