DAPHNE — Daphne has a new logo, thanks to some local artistic talent and cooperation from various city employees.

City officials said they are pleased with the new, colorful logo, featuring a modern take on Mobile Bay, done in various shades of blue, green, orange, yellow and red.

They envision it as a marketing tool that will help distinguish Daphne and hopefully stick with those who see it, said Mayor Fred Small.

Small, who introduced the idea, said he’d asked for help in designing a logo prototype.

That assistance wasn’t hard to find, he said, adding that several city employees had “enthusiastically” contributed to the design process.

“And in the end, I think we got a logo that is quite colorful and modern. It really does remind me of the colors you see on the bay during a beautiful sunny day,” Small said with a proud smile.

Sharla Brink, a Daphne resident and graphic artist, provided the basic concept.

Since the blended colors are the main feature of this new symbol, it lends itself to having other things added as needed, he said.

For example, it can be used to help advertise community events or initiatives, Small said.

A letter sent to local volunteers inviting them to last Saturday’s Community Day and 1st Annual Flounder Parade was prepared on letterhead featuring the new logo, Small said.

He formally presented the design at the May 7 City Council meeting, where it got an enthusiastic response from council members.

“I think it really looks great, but we really want to get your blessing on it,” Small said at that meeting.

It was unanimously supported by council.

Small also explained that the new design will not replace the existing city seal - one that features a more rural, traditional scene.

It will still be used for official purposes, Small said.

“Really, we’re looking to use this new logo as kind of a branding mechanism for Daphne,” he said.

“But it will in no way replace the city seal we already have and have had for years.”

Councilman John Lake said he likes the new logo and is looking forward to seeing it in use.

“I like the colors and the fact that it is so visual,” Lake said.

“It is also very modern and distinct-looking, so I think that will serve our marketing purposes well because we want people to remember Daphne.”

Jane Robbins, Small’s assistant, said she and several other city employees had responded when asked for the formation of a marketing committee.

“We all put in our ideas about how we want to brand the city,” Robbins said. “We wanted something that we could use throughout the city and for all of the departments.”

City employees who helped create the new logo include: Robyn Andrews, Sandra Morse, Tonja Young and Sharon Cureton.