Students in Colby-Sawyer College’s fall Brewing and Vinting Science course formed three crews with one-of-a-kind names: Chuckle & Chug, Fruit Bat Brewery, and Tall Boys.
Graphic design major Sarah Zink ‘25 made equally distinctive logos for each crew.
She crafted labels for their spirits, including Vampire Sour Cider, Cranberry Bog Monster and Pink Pearl Apple, which were unveiled in December at the course’s culmination — a beer and cider tasting event at Lethbridge Lodge. She also designed promotional posters for the tasting.
Zink’s creations fulfilled her Wesson Honors Program Honors Contract to add an interdisciplinary component to her Graphic Design 330 Illustration course. “This evolved into something a lot greater than I could have imagined,” Zink said. “Fermenting was fascinating and I served as a ‘marketing firm’ for the student breweries.”
To gain knowledge and background, she immersed herself in the science course taught by Jim Killarney, assistant professor of chemistry. That included photographing a class apple-pressing event and visiting two local craft breweries.
“Being able to learn with students and take in the surroundings helped me to brainstorm, especially as they told me flavors they were going to use, like cranberries or different kinds of apples,” she said. “It helped me visualize things, such as potential color palettes.”
To capture the essence of the crews and their products, she met with each team for ideas and input, made dozens of sketches and, ultimately, produced three logos for each group to consider.
“I think my main skill is to not settle on one idea,” she said. “I place myself in an environment where I can brainstorm for hours. I like to have variety and I like the people I work with to have variety, so we both have freedom.”
After gaining more feedback, Zink made final design tweaks.
The studio art and contemporary marketing minor said the experience was valuable. She sought to communicate clearly, set deadlines and honor her clients’ wishes. “There were some hiccups along the way but in the end, everyone seemed happy,” she said. “I think the class is great; it combines the beauty of art and science together.”
Vampires and Lumberjacks
Zink dedicated about 10 hours a week to the project.
Her logo for Fruit Bat Brewery includes blood-red fruit, a black bat with outstretched wings and a bubbling cauldron.
A full moon, wispy clouds and bare tree limbs contrast with a midnight blue night sky. Zink described the logo’s style as sophisticated and vintage with Gothic texture.
The logo for Chuckle & Chug features four friends laughing. Two friends hold full mugs with frothy foam.
Zink called the logo style clean, playful, and cartoonish.
For Fruit Bat Brewery and Chuckle & Chug, Zink digitally created the illustrations.
For Tall Boys Brewery, she hand-designed the logo then added digital elements.
The Tall Boys’ logo features two jolly lumberjacks, one with a beard and the other with a mustache.
They stand behind, and tower above, a forested, jagged mountain range, The vibe is woodsy and natural.
“It’s very different from my normal style,” Zink said,” but it’s good to reach into those nooks and crannies that we’re not really comfortable in.”
‘It’s Intimate Here’
The Davidow Center for Art + Design is Zink’s favorite place on campus; it’s where she brainstorms and creates.
She’s had numerous rewarding experiences at Colby-Sawyer, including competing on the equestrian team, going to poetry slams, and attending drag balls — which sparked her love for self-portrait photography.
Zink plans to pursue an MBA while working in graphic design. She also wants to earn an MFA, own a design firm and teach graphic design at the college level.
She first became fascinated with art in high school when she designed a poster for a school play.
“The poster, in my opinion, ended up being so bad, but that’s when I realized that I enjoyed doing that kind of work for somebody. I knew I could create something better and wanted to learn how to do it right,” she said. “And that’s exactly what I’ve been doing here.”
Zink was drawn to Colby-Sawyer because of its graphic design major and equestrian program. She's ridden horses since age 4 and wanted to continue participating in the sport while she earned a degree. She also appreciated CSC’s teacher:student ratio.
“It’s intimate here,” she said. “For the major I was going to have, I thought getting to know my classmates and my professors personally would be great for critiquing my own work and appreciating that of others.”
And when the Byram Township, New Jersey, resident visited campus, her decision was made. “The New Hampshire setting was what immediately drew me in,” she said. “It has my heart.”