When members of Bruton Memorial Library check out their materials at the front desk, they hand over a card that was designed to inspire. It features a collage of words such as “improve,” “imagine,” “collaborate” and “connect.”
But employees at the library noticed a problem with the cards: The design was missing an iconic representation of Plant City.
Fortunately, Chad Loving, a library assistant, happens to also be a graphic designer.
Loving has designed a new library card that is expected to be available in just a few weeks. It features an illustration of the library that is accurate down to its scale and number of windows.
The building’s foundation is a book, to symbolize the information and literature available at the library.
“It represents Plant City as being rooted in tradition, with the image of our building that’s been here for a while, and how we want to grow forward and remain relevant with the community and keep pushing new ideas,” Loving said.
“We want to make sure we put the city seal on our library card, as well,” Tonda Morris, library director, added.
Loving started working on the design earlier this year. He sketched out several versions and got feedback from the other library employees. The final product was a hybrid of graphic and traditional art.
The image will also become a logo to be used on any internal or external communications from the library, such as announcements or flyers.
Loving, who is about to finish his master’s degree in humanities with a concentration in art and visual media, has been involved with art production since he was a child.
“It’s a love of mine,” he said. “I’ve always been interested in it.”
He previously worked at the career services department at Southeastern University in Lakeland, where he used his design skills in a lot of advertising and branding work.
Current Bruton Memorial Library cardholders will be able to trade their old cards for the new design when it is available.
Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver.com.