Silverton 2050
Comprehensive Plan
Client
City of Silverton, Oregon
Year
2025
The Silverton 2050 Comprehensive Plan is a 20-year strategic vision for a charming Oregon town at a crossroads. With a population expected to grow 20% over the next two decades, Silverton needs a comprehensive plan that can guide development while protecting what makes the town special—its thriving tourism industry, historic downtown, Silver Falls State Park proximity, and tight-knit community character. The plan will become the city's primary land use policy document, directing everything from zoning decisions to departmental work plans for the next generation.
My Role: As brand designer and visual communications lead, I developed the complete visual identity for Silverton 2050 and designed the communications ecosystem for the community visioning process.
I'm currently designing engagement materials and will lay out the final plan document when the project wraps this winter.
Capturing Character
The heart of the project was developing a logo that could capture Silverton's entire character in a single mark. To prepare, I visited Silverton, talked with locals about what they loved about their town, and dove into the city's history to ensure the brand would authentically represent the community. The final logo weaves together layers of local meaning:
an oak leaf representing the historic oak tree that once stood in the center of Main Street
a waterfall inspired by Silver Falls
an "S" drawn from Silverton's city flag.
The typeface references both the town's famous murals and Oregon license plates, giving it a sense of place with a modern touch.
Community Engagement
From this foundation, I designed the full suite of engagement materials: PowerPoint presentations for community meetings, community profile documents that established shared understanding of present-day Silverton, vision theme icons, the project webpage, and communications materials that supported outreach to over 30 community groups and organizations throughout the six-month visioning process.
The Draft Vision Statement
By 2050, Silverton will be a welcoming, connected, and resilient community that preserves its historic charm, natural beauty, and unique small-town character while planning boldly for a future that serves all residents. Through thoughtful investment, collaborative partnerships, and a commitment to equity, Silverton will grow with intention—balancing jobs, housing, livability, and stewardship of the environment.
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Honoring Silverton’s Small-Town Identity and Sense of Place
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Expanding Housing Affordability and Diversity for All Stages of Life
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Creating a Balanced, Resilient Local Economy
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Protecting Natural Resources and Enhancing Connectivity
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Fostering Equity, Inclusion, and Community Partnerships
Project Webpage
The project webpage helps educate the public about the project, keeps them informed of upcoming community engagement events, and drives people to online surveys to get feedback throughout the project.
