Town of Needham participants reviewed proposed updates to the town seal and logo at a meeting on June 24, 2024, and asked staff and the illustrator to produce revised artwork that improves legibility at small sizes and clarifies the water and canoe imagery.

The discussion focused on practical uses of the seal — including stationery, folders and small reproductions — and the need for two versions: a more detailed large-format graphic and a simplified, “fewer lines” version that will reproduce cleanly at quarter/half‑dollar and hat sizes. Amber, participant, said, “So just my opinion, I’m just not a fan of the reflection in the water. . . . it makes you look in too many different places instead of where you wanna look,” identifying the water reflection as a primary concern.

Speakers criticized what they described as a blown‑out reflection and confusing rippling that hides the canoe in smaller reproductions, and they discussed moving the canoe slightly and opening up the tree line to create a clearer river silhouette. Participants also noted the source photo and the artist’s workflow: the group asked that the illustrator emphasize still‑water lines, avoid overly dense filters or AI artifacts, and produce a composition that reads as a river rather than a pond when reduced.

Practical details discussed included that staff had printed six hard copies of current proofs for review and that the town needs a very simplified artwork for stamps and small printed items (participants repeatedly referenced “half‑dollar” and similar small sizes). The group agreed it is appropriate to keep a more detailed version for larger uses and a pared‑down version for stamps, hats and other small‑scale applications.

Next steps recorded in the meeting: town staff will meet with the illustrator, Steve Noble, and work through the group’s comments; staff will prepare a background memo summarizing meetings and source materials; and the artist will provide revised proofs. The group said they will continue work over the summer and circulate the next draft when available. No formal vote or adoption of a final seal was made during the session.

The discussion also touched on provenance of source images (a town photo credited in the meeting) and on technical choices for creating black‑and‑white art that will etch or stamp cleanly. Participants emphasized having both a large, detailed version and a simplified, fewer‑lines version for small reproductions.