Harper Adams University: Pioneering School of Sustainable Food and Farming unveils new logo
The School is an innovative collaboration between the University, and steering partners Morrisons, McDonald’s and the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and aims to help develop new sustainable farming methods to help British agriculture achieve its net zero goal.
Its courses will be provided from the Shropshire University and designed using its work on sustainable farming and food production, in unique collaboration with both its three steering partners and a host of delivery partners.
The new logo – which is already being rolled out across the School’s work – has been based on a competition-winning design brief from Megan Bowles, a final year BSc (Hons) Food Technology and Product Development student.
Rebecca Payne, Head of the Harper Adams Food, Land and Agri-Business Management department, said: “Megan’s design, which formed the basis of the development process, inspired the steering group immensely. Her considered description of the symbols she chose to include formed the basis of our brief to the design agency for the development of a complete identity for the School.
“We took the core of Megan’s design and, working with our external agency, built on the themes she had chosen – including interconnected networks, sustainability, and the importance of our rural communities – to reach our finished logo, which emphasises the global reach of the School.”
The logo has now taken pride of place at conferences – including this month’s NFU National Conference – on banners and across the School’s branding – much to Megan’s delight.
She said: “For many years I’ve had a side interest in digital design, and whilst on placement, I set up my own small business ‘Lilac Skies by Megan’ to spread joy through my prints and greetings cards.
“So, when I saw this competition, I thought I will have a try and have some fun designing something outside of my business. I also thought that if my design won, it would be amazing to see it used and be proud to say, ‘that’s my design’ – this is a feeling I also want to get from developing new food products in my future career.
“It feels wonderful, being able to say that I have been a part of such an amazing educational initiative. I hope companies and people using the logo look at the logo and really understand what the School stands for – I think this is well presented in the design.
“I hope to see it for many years to come.”
As well as having the honour of seeing her design used across the work of the School, Megan also received a range of vouchers and merchandise provided by the steering partners – and was presented with her prizes by Harper Adams Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Lee.
He said: “A key driving principle of our new School of Sustainable Food and Farming is to inspire and educate the future generation of the Agri-food sector, therefore I can’t think of a better, more fitting way to develop our new logo than a student competition.
“We are immensely proud and lucky to have such an amazing talent as Megan at Harper Adams, who encapsulated the very essence of the School in her logo design.”