TSalge
Trisha Salge

Graduation Year:

2001

Penn State Major:

Graphic Design and Photography

THON Logo Design (Year/Theme):

2001 / Within Reach


2001 logo

Bio

Trish graduated from Penn State in 2001 with a double major in Graphic Design and Photography (BS). During her time at Penn State, she interned for Supon Design Group in Washington, D.C. She has worked in the industry ever since, spending many years working in the consumer luxury automotive and travel sectors at a small boutique agency, and is now an Art Supervisor with McCann Health.

How has designing a THON logo impacted you after graduation from Penn State?

Logistically, having something that was actually produced while still being a student was really important. Most of the time at the collegiate level, design work is only conceptual, but in order to handle the merchandising aspect of this project I partnered with vendors during the production process, which was an extremely valuable experience. It was a real advantage to have that tangible product when I graduated and was looking for a job in the industry.

What was your inspiration for your THON logo design? 

There’s a saying: “the ultimate inspiration is the deadline,” and never was that more true for me than with this logo design. All-nighters were our norm in the lab back then and I just needed to get something down on paper, it being 4 AM with concepts due in class only a few hours later. Thankfully, the fact that my drawing skills resemble those of an 8-year-old worked in my favor this time around, and somehow I came up with the sketch that would ultimately become the THON logo for 2001. I barely remember drawing it that night, but when I looked at it with fresh eyes the next morning I was pretty sure that it had some potential.

What is your favorite THON memory?

I knew that designing the THON logo was an annual assignment for the graphic design seniors, but I wasn’t all that familiar with THON otherwise. I definitely didn’t understand just how massive it is. When I walked into the event for the first time that night, I was completely overwhelmed by the crowds of not only participants, but of the kids and their families. I suddenly felt so small. All I had done was design a logo - everything around it was so much bigger than that. Seeing families who were going through the hardest thing they’d experienced in their lives and still be smiling, taking in such a brilliant show of support and love, was something I’ll never forget - that memory means even more to me now that I have a child of my own. Being part of THON was a huge privilege and I’m so thankful to have had that chance.