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OOECA logo next steps – March 2025 update

Submitted by Kristine Houde, John Dance

OOECA logo survey responses and trends

  • We currently have 42 responses to the OOECA logo survey (Google Forms), up 8 responses since January 2025. See appendix for bar graph results.
  • While the response count is not high, the logo team has noticed a trend since the survey launch, with respondents voting for nature-related features, and referencing OOE as an island surrounded by water (Rideau River, Rideau Canal).
  • Other popular responses included landmarks like Green Door, Deschâtelets heritage building, Brantwood Gates, and Old Town Hall, our current logo. While these landmarks are an important part of our community’s identity, selecting a building or business will prevent us from building a unique identity and modern brand of our own.

Project next steps – board input, approval

Over 10 years have passed since the first logo redesign proposal was presented to the board to reimagine OOECA’s logo, a black and white rendering of Old Town Hall.

    OOECA’s logo project team of 3 (Kristine, John, and Tanis) is ready to move forward with next steps to for logo redesign this Spring:

    1. Engage local artists for input on our future logo design (Leads: John, Tanis)
    2. Seek advice from other CAs, CAG based on their logo redesign efforts. (Lead: Kristine)
    3. Present a project plan and estimated budget for a new logo design by August, in time for our 2025 fall membership drive and The Main Event in September. (Lead: Kristine)

    Request:

    • We are seeking input from the board on proposed next steps, and OOECA funds to convene local artists for a wine and cheese brainstorming to see what they’d create.

    Appendix 1 – Survey responses, taglines

    Bar graph showing Q1 votes for top 3 features of Old Ottawa East. Top votes include Rideau River and Rideau Canal, OOE bridges, and Main Street.

    OOECA logo survey bar graph showing top top three features: 1. Rideau River/Rideau Canal 2. OOE Bridges 3. Main Street Other popular landmarks were also noted, including Green Door, Deschâtelets heritage building, and Old Town Hall.

    Proposed OOECA taglines based on individual responses to Q3, “What short sentence, phrase or tagline would best describe Old Ottawa East?”

    See individual responses in appendix 2 on how people would describe OOE. These taglines capture the essence of OOE as a vibrant, historic community nestled between the Rideau River and Rideau Canal, emphasizing its strong sense of community, unique location, and blend of heritage and urban features.

    Sample taglines below reflect OOECA’s commitment to maintaining the balance between OOE’s historical significance and its contemporary development, while actively working to improve community living for all:

    1. Bridging history and progress: Championing our Old Ottawa East community
    2. Nurturing vibrant living between the Rideaus: Our community, our future
    3. Cultivating Ottawa’s hidden gem: Preserving character, enhancing quality of life
    4. Preserving heritage, embracing urban vitality: OOECA in action

    Appendix 2 – Logo survey Q3 responses

        • Main-ly between canal and river
        • Ottawa’s hidden gem
        • Vibrant living between the waters
        • Friendly small community
        • Your next adventure is along the street! OR The street to somewhere special
        • Welcoming, vibrant, growing
        • Vibrant and historical
        • Building community hubs
        • An Island community
        • Hidden Gem
        • Community in action. Community first. Together we thrive. Connect collaborate celebrate. A place for everyone. Rooted in community
        • Engaged
        • Diverse, beautiful and tolerant
        • We are care and hope
        • Strong, diverse community with generations of history and a village vibe
        • happy homes and families between the canal and the Rideau river
        • Historic neighbourhood
        • Welcoming, beauty of the canal and river, variety of people of all ages
        • “Vibrant and Caring Between the Rideaus” is my second suggestion.
        • Old Ottawa East – a vibrant, and historic community in the heart of Canada’s capital city. Known by it’s Rideau River and the UNESCO Heritage Site, Rideau Canal location, Old Ottawa East blends residential charm and premium (prime/exceptional/superior) access to parks, waterways, trails, and the downtown core.
        • The village in the city
        • City Neighbourhood in nature

        Additional responses and general comments provided to guide logo design, branding

        • There are a few companies/stores in the list I think the logo should stay away from prominent display of these. It looks like promotion. The logo should be not be tied to a business.
        • Keeping the Old Town Hall part of the new logo would help with the goal of differentiating OOE from other nearby neighbourhoods, as it is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the neighbourhood. It also speaks to the neighbourhood’s distinct heritage. Perhaps it could be edited to add an image of the canal or trees to represent the abundance of green space in the neighbourhood. Many of the other suggested features are either shared with other neighbourhoods (Rideau Canal, Flora Footbridge) or would be oddly placed in a community logo because they are private entities (Saint Paul University, Green Door Restaurant).
        • Trees, pathways, buildings, meet-ups, biking
        • It is our unique features that may define us from others. We’re lucky to have the geography that defines us – the island more access and amenities by the water is what will make us more unique to define us!
        • It would be nice to see natural elements.
        • Rideau island and snapping turtle = Turtle Island. As in one of the Anishinaabe creation stories. The Rideau river was a major trade route for the Anishinaabe. OOE is situated on unceded Anishinaabe land. In light of all the many Oblate named streets in our neighbourhood now, I think we owe something to the keepers of the land.
        • Green color to show that as a community we value the environment and try to make the most of it to make green, sustainable and innovative decisions to grow our community
        • The image is important but the words will be most impactful.
        • I like the old town hall image but it could be updated to a more modern drawing style. Including water/river would be a nice addition.

        communicationsmarchOOECA Logo and Brand