Eight graphic design offices have been classified for the final process to choose the logo of the 2016 Olympic Games, to be held in Rio de Janeiro. Selected out of 139 entries from companies participating in the first phase of the selection process, the offices submitted their proposals to the Organizing Committee of the event yesterday (4 August). The finalists are Brainbox Design (PR), Dupla Design (RJ), Future Brand (SP), Gad Design (SP), Magenta Design (RJ), Soter Design (RJ), Studio Lúmen (PR) and Vinte Zero Um (RJ).
Different from the process of selection of the logo for the 2014 World Cup, the conduct for choosing the brand for Rio 2016 has been praised by the community of Brazilian designers. "I think it is great that everything is being done according to the standards of acclaimed design contests", says Bruno Lemgruber, the President of the Brazilian Graphic Design Association (Associação dos Designers Gráficos do Brasil - ADG). "The Rio 2016 committee is well aligned with international standards and everything is being done well. With FIFA, we tried to provide all references for a product that is better conducted, but unfortunately this has not been the standard that ended up defining the World Cup logo. However, as the federation is a private institution, they are under no obligation to justify their decisions", Mr. Lemgruber completes.
Professor and designer Auresnede Pires Stephan (Eddy) feels that the process of the choice of the brand for Rio 2016 was much more coherent than that of the 2014 World Cup. "Regardless of the final result - as any result is open to criticism - I am very impressed. And, indeed, I hope that this same care which has so far been observed continues in the stages to come", Eddy commented.The designer suggests that the whole progress of this process shall be made public and also disclosed by the Press. He also recommends that all stages of the graphic processes are shown in exhibitions. "Should the publicizing of the drawings only happen at the end, then there is nothing to prevent an itinerant exhibition with pictures and text, showing the winners and the other seven finalists", Eddy explains. In this way, so says the professional, the large public would be informed, in a didactic fashion, about the concepts of each proposal and also the criteria used for the classification thereof. "This would highlight the transparency of the process, and would also be an educational strategy, helping to form the way of looking at things", defends Eddy.
The brand manager for the Rio 2016 Committee, Beth Lula, confirms the meticulous tone within the preparation of this process: "It was a daunting task to choose the eight finalists, as the general level of the entrants was excellent", she says. For Ms Lula, the quality observed at each stage shall be reflected in the final result: "We shall have a highly successful brand, which shall go down in the annals of history of the Olympic movement and also of Brazilian graphic design", she declares.
About the concepts that have been a base for the development of the projects, she is emphatic: "During the technical briefing, we stress that the brand needs to reflect local culture, while at the same time having a global reach; it also needs to be well aligned with Olympic values, avoiding stereotypes while also inspiring a wide range of segments of the public. In addition, it must reflect the concepts of passion and transformation of the Rio 2016 Project", explains Ms Lula.
Winner to be Announced on 31 December
On 6 and 7 August, the proposals shall be analyzed and all the finalists shall receive a special certificate or participation and also pro-labore payments totaling R$ 10 thousand. Once the winner has been chosen, then the Rio 2016 committee shall send the brand for the final approval by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The overall winner shall receive R$ 50 thousand for the creation of the brand, and shall also sign a contract for the provision of design services.
The logo to be used in the 2016 Olympic Games shall only be revealed to the public on 31 December, as part of the New Year celebrations.
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04/05 | News
