The story behind Grand River Transit's logo

John Martz left his mark on Grand River Transit.

The former Kitchener resident came up with the winning design for GRT’s logo in 1999, when the service was created from a merger of Kitchener Transit and Cambridge Transit.

At the time, Martz was a 21-year-old graphic design student at Conestoga College. His design is blue and has a wave between the G and R to symbolize water while the bold letters tilt forward to illustrate motion.

Martz’s work was picked out of 30 entries put together by his class.

"It's a bit daunting to realize that something I've done is going to be on all buses and will be around for quite a while," said Martz, speaking to the Waterloo Region Record in December of 1999.

"I certainly didn't want it to be a novelty or a flash in the pan – exciting now but in a week people will get sick of it."

After college, Martz stayed in the design field, with positions at CityTV and MuchMusic. He now works at the Tundra Books imprint of Penguin Random House Canada, where he designs and art directs children’s books.

He’s always happy to see his handiwork on GRT vehicles.

“A bus will drive by and there it is, this little blast from the past,” said Martz.

“It’s not often I’ll look at something I did from long ago and think it still looks pretty good, but for whatever reason I think I lucked out and did something that still holds up.”

Martz’s parents remain proud of their son’s contribution to the community.  

“At the time, and maybe still now, my mom would always refer to them as Johnny Buses,” said Martz.

Overall, Martz is happy to see his logo last.

“I’m looking forward to seeing it there into the future, and whatever else comes next.”