Qataris who wish to have a say in the branding of one of the country’s most iconic structures have been invited to participate in a logo-making contest for the under-construction National Museum.
The “Leave your mark” contest is being run by Qatar Museums, which said in a statement:
“The new logo and visual identity aims to incorporate aspects of heritage and innovation. We believe it is vital that the museum is recognized as an international cultural destination…
We want to create a brand that is a true reflection of the New National Museum of Qatar which will act as a personified image of Qatar and the future without relinquishing the heritage and traditions of the past.”
All entries for the challenge, which is open to individuals living in Qatar who are 18 years and older, must be submitted by Tuesday, Sept. 22.
Designs will be judged by QM chairperson Sheikha Al Mayassa and National Museum director Sheikha Amna, as well as senior executive members of QM.
The winner will be announced on Sept. 29, and will travel to London for two weeks in October to work with design firm Pentagram on finalizing the logo from the initially submitted concept.
See here for a full list of terms and conditions.
National Museum
Qatar’s National Museum is tentatively scheduled to open next year.
Earlier this summer, QM announced that a landmark palace that is the centerpiece of the museum was successfully restored.
Home to the former ruler of Qatar, Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani, the structure is located in the heart of the museum, which is across from the Corniche near the Museum of Islamic Art.
When completed, the museum is expected to look like a desert rose that appears to grow out of the ground and represent Qatar’s “past, present and future.”
Thoughts?
It’s only for Qatari Nationals who are also in Qatar currently. wow! Let’s count how many Qatari graphic designers are currently in Qatar and interested in participating, mmmm 2 maybe 5? :
the participants can outsource their design and forward it and claim it as their own.
I’m sorry but this is lame and stupid. And don’t forgot the winner going to work on the brand guidelines with one of the biggest companies in the world. Would be embarrassing when the company find out.
Current graphic design students at VCU as well as alumni can participate, and I am sure there are way more than 5 🙂
I wish and I hope so, would love to see VCUQ students and alumni participates in such contests. I myself shared the link with two talented Qatari graphic designers and I can’t feel their excitement, yet.
Many, but I am happy that it’s bothering you.
Bothering? Seriously?! *facepalm*
Many? How about we bet on this?! In two weeks from now they’ll open the competition for everyone due to lack of participants.
I’m gonna love the comments on this one…..
“We want to create a brand that is a true reflection of the New National Museum of Qatar which will act as a personified image of Qatar and the future without relinquishing the heritage and traditions of the past.”
Cue descriptions of LCs, drivers texting while drinking karak, maid in the back trying to look after unruly kids and mother on the phone lamenting how expensive Hermes handbags are now and that there are too many foreigners in Qatar now making the place look untidy….
First it is written that it is for Qatari Nationals and then later it is written, ‘for anyone living in Qatar 18yrs and older.’ So I think we (the commenters on Doha News) should get together and create something magical 🙂 I really hope this museum will have something interesting inside unlike the Islamic museum, which I currently only visit to listen to QPO perform.
In the website it says
“The winner will head off to London for 2 weeks, 10 days of which will be spent at Pentagram fully realising the guidelines. The remainder of the time will be for you to enjoy and explore the arts and culture scene in the UK.”
Do you seriously think an expat will be offered this opportunity? I really doubt it and I think even if expats are allowed to submit the final award will go to a local.
قالوا لك بلدك ؟
huh?
Rough translation: “You no like, you leave.”
I actually like it here. With all the shortcomings, it is way better than my country. As for my freedom to criticize, I have no plans to relinquish it. Some will have to adapt to it.
Peace 🙂 :p
A lot of competitions here are open to expats, bank, supermarkets, qatar airways among others.
This one wants to give a talented Qatari a chance to contribute to a future landmark in Doha and gain some experience. What’s wrong with that?
Honestly I have mixed feelings towards this. On the one hand locals are outnumbered by expats and for whatever competition they will always be at disadvantage numerically. On the other hand a competition should not be limited to some nationalities, and at the end of the day, every single participant has the same chances to win mathematically regardless of who they are and where they come from.
Anyway, that’s not the point here. Let’s just hope they come up with a good branding and that’s it. The project is already 1 year behind schedule and will probably miss the scheduled opening date of 2016.
Yeah the article is unclear. Shabina needs to edit it. The competition is open only to Qataris it clearly states it in the terms that can be found on the website.
The first word of the article is “Qataris” – not sure how much clearer it can get.
The part I was referring to is “which is open to individuals living in Qatar who are 18 years and older”. This (“individuals”) is more inclusive than “Qataris” mentioned at the start of the article leading some to believe that one of the sentences is an error as commenter Peaches pointed out.
Lots of negative comments. How about hoping it’s a success? There’s no doubt though that with all that money spent on they need to pack it with something about Qatar that grabs the imagination.
Agree, I remember in 2004 when the mascot contest was held for the 2006 Asian Games and the ‘Orry the Oryx’ design won. That mascot is still popular today. I have even higher hopes for this since there’s more creative freedom in choosing a logo than a mascot.
sorted then – isn’t it just the “$” symbol ?
I’m looking forward to the museum opening and visiting when I am in town. The Museum of Islamic Art is amongst my favorites in the world, and I have high hopes for this one.
That said, campaigns like this are a bit ridiculous and begging for sarcastic criticism.
Love reading all the comments, my thoughts are running quickly in my mind which I find it hard to catch them. So, I’ll just say KUDOS to all who will participate better be brilliant and unique in your LOGO.
Shabina, I think we should try anyway, …………………..all I want is a Shater Abbas meal for 4, Extra on the bread. London is too far. However, I will wait for everyone else to submit. That cost me a full 10 mins on powerpoint, (Including finding out what a desert rose was and using Google Translate) so no cheating anyone.
I’m seeing a sort of burgundy shade…
And an antelope like critter…
Arranged in a circle to symbolize a pearl…
I’d like to see one of those evolution images – walking, riding, driving a car, tooling around in the MIGHTY LANDCRUISER!
Perfect! This is what came to my mind when I was trying to think of a logo that would exemplify the country’s heritage.
There’s a certain irony that an institution which celebrates, promotes and protects the arts, should so effectively devalue the art and craft of design and the experience and skill of designers through this logo shootout comptetition.