Concept/prompt:
The criteria for this project was to create a logo design based on an assigned city. The newly designed city logo was required to demonstrate important aspects of our city based off of extensive research. The design could be used to emulate the historical background, religious context, agriculture, or other important details that demonstrate the importance behind the city.
Design:
The symbol in the middle of this design is the symbol for “om” in Balinese culture. The “om” symbol used in this design represents Bali’s reputation for its combination of tradition and nature, as it is not only a sacred sound that begins every mantra or prayer within Balinese Hinduism, but it also represents the universe as the primordial sound everything is created from. One of the traditional aspects of Balinese culture that tourists can see when visiting is the Balinese Fire Dance. The three-tiered shapes around the “om” symbol in this design mimic an image of these fire dancers, and the inspiration for the flames also came from this traditional dance, as well as the red color used. Bali differs from the rest of Indonesia because the majority of its residents practice Balinese Hinduism, which is a combination of Hinduism, Buddhism, and indigenous Balinese beliefs. The three layers of lines mimicking the shape of the fire dancers’ arms in this logo also represent these three different religions that came together to create Balinese Hinduism. The mix of the natural element of fire, the traditional Balinese fire dance, and the reference to the creation of Balinese Hinduism work to reinforce the representation of Bali’s reputation for its combination of tradition and nature within this logo design. The chosen typeface, MrBedFort Pro, creates a harmonious look when combined with the logo by mimicking the linework seen in the “om” symbol in the design with its calligraphic nature and contrast between thicks and thins, while also being used as a reference for line width when creating the three-tiered shapes around the “om” symbol making for a cohesive unity of type and mark.