Michigan Mom Wins Lilac Festival Logo Design Contest

The winning Lilac Festival logo was designed for the format needed to create the Grand Parade banner.

A Michigan mother who operates a graphic design company is the winner of Lilac Festival logo contest. Meg Novak, of Grosse Pointe, who used her artistic talent to take the contest assignment one step further by designing two logos, was selected by unanimous decision from more than 40 entries, said Mary Slevin, executive director of the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau.

"I designed the logo in a horizontal format, since it would make a great banner for the big parade," said Mrs. Novak. "For style, I was particularly inspired by all the art events and the many lilac-inspired crafts that can be bought on Mackinac Island, so I created the lilac flower with the flare of a brush." In addition, Mrs. Novak created an event marker logo from within the logo itself to indicate events occurring at each location during the festival.

Ms. Slevin, who organized the competition through the State of Michigan’s Artserve Web site, said, “Meg’s design is timeless. She shows her talent and her understanding of the Island through design. With the Victorian lettering, she tips her hat to our Victorian cottages and her painterly touch shows through in the way she uses color, line, and direction to illustrate the lilac. She is truly gifted and we are pleased to announce her as our winner.”

Mrs. Novak’s design company, Milk Group, stands for “Mothers I’d like to know.” She networks with other Detroit area mothers who choose to work from home.

Mrs. Novak won accommodations for two at the Island House, ferry tickets from Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry, lunch at Grand Hotel, an Island tour from Mackinac Island Carriage Tours, and horseback riding from Jack’s Livery and Cindy’s Riding Stable.