Graphics Grad Designs Downtown Bloomfield Banners

Fifty colorful pedestrian light pole banners recently hung within Bloomfield Township’s primary commercial district are the latest artistic collaboration between the Bloomfield Center Alliance (BCA) and Bloomfield College of Montclair State University.

Professor Yuichiro Nishizawa, chair of the College’s Division of Creative Arts and Technology, worked closely with the BCA and the project’s design leader, Vincent Leu ’14, to create the banner designs earlier this year.

“This collaborative effort is truly born out of our strong and persistent mutual interest in community building and developing projects that showcase the College and the vision and talents of our students,” says Nishizawa.

Leu, who majored in graphics for print and digital media, says he was honored to be part of the team. “It is not every day that you get to do something fun that will be seen by an entire community and its visitors.”

Alliance Director Ollyn Lettman, calling the banners a sign of the continuing transformation of downtown Bloomfield, says, “We are grateful to have a partner in Bloomfield College of Montclair State University interested in helping us enhance the look and feel of the area.”

The BCA is a non-profit organization that works with Bloomfield Township to promote the downtown commercial district. It administers and coordinates a number of projects and programs intended to attract, retain and foster business growth in the area.

The banners were funded through a grant from the state’s Main Street New Jersey Program.

Photo: Light pole banners recently hung in Bloomfield Township’s primary commercial district were designed by Bloomfield College graduate, Vincent Leu ’14.