Branding the 2014 Olympics

Okay, I think this might be my last Olympics design post. I think.

I’ve written a few posts this week about branding and design that captures the culture or location of the event. What I’m about to reveal is absolutely amazing in regard to branding, marketing and cultural identity in relation to the 2014 Olympics.

John McWade is the author of Before & After. Before & After is all about design. It’s a magazine (originally), but now a website, a blog and even a book. If you want to learn how to be a better designer, spend some time learning from John. Interestingly, John is my Uncle (by marriage). I’ve only met him a few times, but I’ve been a fan of Before & After from the time I got my hands of my first copy.

So here is a post from December talking about the selection of the 2014 official logo for the Winter Games in Sochi. I’m not going to give anything away yet, just read the post, it’s fascinating.

So, what do you think? Are you disappointed? I was. I really liked the firebird logo. I liked it a lot.

Now, read his follow-up post which you can read here. He might just change your mind.

Do you see the official Sochi log differently now? I do. I still feel somewhat attached to the firebird logo, but I totally understand the official logo. It makes perfect sense and I think in the long run, I’ll actually like it better. As I think about what both logos would look like on a shirt, I think I’d prefer to official logo as just the look itself matches the style I’d prefer to wear… which is what they’re going for.

I think there are a lot if things we can learn from the Sochi logo. When creating designs for our ministries, do these designs adequately describe who you are and who you’re trying to reach? Does it smell of “clip art” or is it unique and original? Also, is it “now?” I liked how John described the official logo as one that could be considered outdated in the future, but that’s okay. Will we pick current and “now” over timeless? Does our design have a soul? I know that these posts helped give me new questions to ask as we look at branding our ministry in the near future.