The Inspiration
There was a similar project done by a group of 11 German designers who protested the design of the emblem for the 2006 world cup. Their idea was the inspiration for this website which you can still view at www.11designer.de
Surprised
Many designers watched in surprise when the official logo was unveiled right after the 2006 World Cup - way ahead of schedule as traditionally the logo has been unveiled only two years before the event. Personally - I was upset that as a South African and a graphic designer, I did not have the opportunity to contribute - to submit a logo design.
Only 6 agencies were chosen to pitch for the emblem - (See the article in BizCommunity here), suggested by Think - the industry council representing the South Africa design industry. (Maybe it's time for Graphic Designers to create our own free-to-join independant body?). Would it not have been better to advise FIFA to open this up to the country as a huge PR exercise, to inspire and unify South Africa behind 2010?
Remember the national effort behind the design of the new South African flag. Anyone could contribute, designers, doctors, security guards, students and even kids armed with crayons in nursery school. It was a brilliant PR exercise and the result was a flag that unified the country. An exercise that should have been mirrored for the 2010 emblem.
IUnderstandably FIFA have protocols and ways of doing things, but in this situation I think they would have seen the benefit.
An exercise like this would have more far reaching benefits as it would attract many more people into the design field. Creating a new wave of previously disadvantaged designers entering the industry. Is this not better than affording the opportunity to only 6 agencies with the right BEE criteria?
| Information sourced from BizCommunity - to view original post: Click here |
There has been a lot of talk recently on how only FIFA and the sponsors will really benefit from 2010. FIFA has a business model that it uses and very strict policies that it enforces. But for Africa I think it needed to modify this to accommodate something as simple as a national design competition, open to all South Africans and possibly all of Africa. We are different to the rest of the world. Use a different model with us.
Sour Grapes?
So is this site not just a result of sour grapes? Are we just unpartriotic and not behind the official logo? No - in fact the very opposite. We only want the best for South Africa and the logo that has being chosen could have been better, it could better reflect the level of design the country has to offer. And as a professional designer in South Africa, I feel cheated that I could not contribute to the identity. There are rumors that FIFA paid between R3 to R20 Million for the logo. Just to be part of the amazing World Cup history - I would have designed it for free!
And I am certain many designers feel the same way.
Better late than never
So here is the exercise, a little late and completely unofficial. This is not endorsed by FIFA, but we do hope that they can see the value in this exercise. If you feel cheated by the logo selection process, if you feel that FIFA is too controlling of the event and there should be special consideration for Africa - then please support us. Who knows, maybe together we can achieve some change.
This website is simply an collaborative expression of opinion. Get involved if you share your opinion. Use the forums to discuss ideas, post your own logo designs, post as many as you like, submit a prize for the winner or simply just join the site.
The Prizes
No good design competition is complete with some great prizes for the winner. Thanks to our sponsors we will have some great prizes for the winner. (If you want to contribute to the winners package - please contact us). The winner will be announced on the 1st of September 2007. Winner takes all.
| View the BizCommunity forum about the logo: Click here |
