Students come to St. Clair College to learn a craft and gain employable skills in their field of choice.
But during their students, students regularly get an opportunity to hone their vocational skills on a real-life project, which was the case for the recent re-branding of the St. Clair College Student Spa.
Janice Vandehogen and Sofiia Deretska (top) pose with Deborah Agostini and Michael Horrobin (bottom) at the newly re-branded SCC Student Spa. (Dale Cabuquin/St. Clair College)
Graphic Design student Sofiia Deretska, and Business Administration - Marketing graduate Michael Horrobin were tasked with curating a rebrand of the spa to help enhance its presence on campus and create a refreshed aesthetic more suited to the service at the College.
Horrobin and Deretska worked together on competitive research, exploring distinct colour schemes and designs meant to invoke feelings of rejuvenation and serenity.
"I've always had somewhat of an eye for graphic design but have never developed my technical skills to the point needed to pull off a project of this size," said Horrobin. "My co-worker, Sofiia, was a great partner in this regard, ensuring each design was finalized professionally."
The pair of students not only redesigned the logo, but also created business cards, banners, menus, and developed the visual design for the spa's lockers and doors.
"The inspiration for my work came from the inviting atmosphere of the SCC Student Spa, its warm and welcoming team, and the incredible faculty who provided clear guidance and support throughout the process," said Deretska. "Their encouragement and shared excitement made the experience truly rewarding."
"Looking back, I deeply appreciate how the College fosters opportunities for students to showcase their talents and grow professionally. This project not only strengthened my skills but also gave me the confidence to take on future large-scale design challenges," Deretska added.
Faculty in the Esthetician program can't say enough about how well the rebranding matches the vibe of the spa environment.
"The rebrand celebrates the Student Spa's unique blend of learning, community, and wellness, making it a warm and inviting space for all to enjoy," said Deborah Agostini, the program coordinator for the Esthetician program.
"The immense impact the rebrand has had on students, staff, clients and the public is seen in the everyday life at the Student Spa," said Janice Vandehogen, an Esthetician Program Technologist. "From the website hosting information on the service menu, hours, location intake form, what to expect and parking to the new soft green lotus flower branding, we love it all!"
"Clients are commenting on how easy it is to find us and how spa-like our lab is with the new rebrand," Vandehogen added.
Horrobin is grateful for the opportunity to apply the marketing skills he developed in class to a real-world setting.
"The positive reaction from the faculty of the spa is such an encouragement to me and my future endeavors," said Horrobin. "Seeing the brand which I created come to life on this level, and being able to walk my friends and family around the spa - knowing I had such a big part in creating each element - is just surreal. It's such a blessing."
The SCC Student Spa is located in the basement of Main Windsor Campus and is open to both students and the public, for services ranging from manicures and pedicures to hair removal and skin treatments.
