A networking conversation at an East Orlando Chamber of Commerce event opened the door to an impressive collaboration between Orange Technical College and The Salvation Army. The partnership gave Digital Media/Multimedia Design students hands-on experience while supporting a worthy cause.

Building Community Connections

During the chamber meeting, East Campus instructor Andy Weeks met Debi Jones, who serves as Special Events and Promotions Director for The Salvation Army. Their discussion about the DMMD program revealed a perfect match—Jones needed a logo refresh for the "Orange/Osceola Fore! Charity Golf Tournament," and Weeks recognized an ideal learning opportunity for his class. The instructor enthusiastically proposed bringing the project to his students, creating a bridge between academic training and meaningful community service.

Natalya Donaldson, designer of the Salvation Army Golf Classic winning logo

Professional Approach from Start to Finish

The students tackled the assignment with remarkable thoroughness during the following two weeks. Rather than jumping straight into design work, they began with extensive background research. They explored The Salvation Army's mission and history, examined the golf tournament's purpose, and analyzed successful branding approaches from similar charitable organizations and sporting events.

Armed with this knowledge, students moved through a comprehensive creative process. Initial concepts started as pencil sketches before transitioning to digital platforms. The class then conducted testing sessions to gather input, refining their work based on the responses they received—mirroring the workflow of professional design agencies.

The winning logo design that will be featured on all tournament materials

Each participant prepared a polished presentation to deliver their final concepts to Jones and The Salvation Army leadership team. This component provided essential practice in client communication and articulating creative rationale.

A Winning Design Takes Shape

Following careful consideration, The Salvation Army announced that Natalya Donaldson's submission had been selected as the official tournament logo. Her design will appear across all marketing materials, from print advertisements to branded merchandise including golf balls, apparel, and towels.

With the Orange/Osceola Fore! Charity Golf Tournament taking place this July, Natalya's work will play a vital role in promoting this significant fundraising initiative. Golf players across Central Florida will encounter her design on tournament literature, promotional items, and even the equipment used during play—creating lasting visibility for Orange Technical College's student capabilities throughout the region.

This successful partnership demonstrates Orange Technical College's commitment to experiential learning that benefits both students and the surrounding community. Every DMMD participant gained valuable professional experience while contributing their talents to an organization dedicated to helping others.

Kudos to Natalya for her outstanding winning entry, and to the entire class for their exceptional work that earned The Salvation Army's admiration!