Wolda 2008 winners showcase

Oct 2, 200823 appreciated comments

Wolda’s 2008 winners have been announced. Entry into the awards was through paid submission, and winners were selected by a jury of 10 designers, 10 clients and 10 members of the public. Here are the five winning logo designs from each participating continent, plus a mention for my favourite.

Best of Continent

Best of Africa

Logo name: SoulStice
Nation: South Africa
Agency: The Brand Union
Designer: Bronwen
Client: SoulStice

Best of Americas

Logo name: Sapka Hat Design
Nation: United States
Agency: Deniz Marlali
Designer: Deniz Marlali
Client: Hats By Aysel / Aysel Ormanbaba

Best of Asia

Logo name: Neo Tokyo
Nation: Thailand
Agency: Digital ZOO
Designers: David Williams, Siripong Wongjinda, Pasu Kongprasertkit, Digital ZOO
Client: Japanese electronic art exhibition

Best of Europe

Logo name: Sancti Spíritus Wines
Nation: Spain
Agency: El Paso, Galería de Comunicación
Designer: Álvaro Pérez
Client: La Repostería de las Monjas

Best of Oceania

Logo name: One Degree
Nation: Australia
Agency: Landor Associates
Designers: Jason Little, Tim Warren, Steve Clarke, Mike Staniford
Client: News Limited

My thoughts

It’s impossible to effectively critique any logo design without information of the design brief, and I’d hope such info was presented to the jury. The previous logo, for One Degree (Best of Australia, Best of Oceania), was ultimately chosen as Best of the World (top prize). I can’t help but wonder if the reputation behind Landor Associates played a part. Excuse my synicism. In favour of the design, it’s simple, scalable, and memorable, although does look quite like a pictogram from the olympics. Perhaps that’s part of the appeal / rationale?

I am pleased to see the Sancti Spiritus logo selected in the Best of Europe category, as the idea is great. Some of the others, however, aren’t so convincing. What do you reckon?

My favourite design from all winners (Best of Nation included) is this logo, which won Best of Norway.

Logo name: TWINS
Nation: Norway
Agency: The Action Designer
Designer: The Action Designer
Client: Twins

You can see all winning logos, including the Best of Nation category, on the Wolda website.

UPDATE: 06 October 2008
Steven Heller also has something to say about the awards, worth a read for some competition context.

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23 appreciated comments, click here to add one

Brian Yerkes

I love the “sancti” logo. Why do you like the “Twins” logo so much? It would be cool if you expanded on your thoughts on that logo. Thanks David

Brian Yerkes’s last blog post…What Clients Need To Know When Hiring A Web Design Company

Oct 2nd, 2008
David Airey

Hi Brian,

I love simple logos with a great idea, and for me, the subtle change of the ‘n’ is one that’ll be difficult to forget. Ties in excellently with the name.

Oct 2nd, 2008
Valentino

I like the Twins logo a lot too. An obvious (and poor) idea would have been to have the 2 replace the T or a backwards 2 replace the S. Or maybe that’s just my poor idea.
My least favourite is the Neo Tokyo one. It loses a lot of detail, even at that size. Maybe it works best in it’s own context. But confining it to its own rules doesn’t make for a great logo.

Oct 2nd, 2008
Van Hong

*Love* Alex Schrijvers Handbags. At first put off by the shoulder handle – slightly forced rendering. But on second take, it also resembles a button, which in turn looks more “garment,” more fashion. A loose reminder of the Garment District button, http://flickr.com/photos/97705796@N00/2650669618.

Don’t read enough German to understand precisely why an orange cow/television/bird/postbox is relevant to Mea Stella, but fun, eye-catching & memorable. Love it.

Sapka hats – the best of U.S.? really? ::mortified:::

Oct 2nd, 2008
Jamie

I saw the winners and was a bit suprised by some of the ‘best’.
I’ve seen that 1degree logo a few times now, in the one show and design week. I cant tell if its a person bending over or half of a toilet man sign. I looked on landors website, and found this:
http://www.landor.com/index.cfm?do=ourwork.casehistory&cn=5866

its ok i guess when you read what the idea is, and see it with a real person on the poster – i get it there. Not sure if its obvious or clever enough without knowing the background though. hmmm dubious. I like serbia’s best.

Oct 3rd, 2008
Justin (www.DotNetMushroom.com)

Love the Sancti Spiritus Logo and the One Degree. I am not so sure about the Neo Tokyo though ? Thanks for explaining why you like the Twins Logo – now with your explanation I fully agree with you ! :-) … What about the Neo Tokyo logo ? I really could not grasp it. Furthermore I cannot imagine it being rendered on company stationary or worse still on faxes !

DotNetMushroom

Oct 3rd, 2008
Roberta Seldon

My faves are Neo Tokyo and Sancti Spiritus Wines. The Twins logo is pretty clever.

Oct 3rd, 2008
Adam

LOVE the Sancti Spíritus Wines Logo, very iconic and a strong symbol that’s very relevant but not cheesy, love it!

Oct 3rd, 2008
David Airey

Valentino,

I agree on the Neo Tokyo design, but as your righly point out, the lack of context isn’t ideal for critiquing.

Van,

On second take, I can see why you love the handbags design. Clever use of negative space. I also hear you on the ‘Best of America’ logo.

Jamie,

Thanks for the link to the Landor piece, which helps explain the design somewhat.

Justin,

Your thoughts about Neo Tokyo are a little similar to my own. Adaptable definitely doesn’t spring to mind, but as touched upon, the lack of context affects proper critique.

Roberta, Adam,

Interesting to read which get your votes. Cheers.

Oct 4th, 2008
Dainis Graveris

My favorite is also Twins logotype – very originally thought through.

Less is more and this is simple and great idea :)

Oct 5th, 2008
JASON LITTLE

Hi David,
I’m the designer/creative director from the Landor Sydney office, that worked on the One Degree project. I came across your blog the other day after reading Steven Heller’s take on Wolda (blog.printmag.com/dailyheller/) and then thinking it pretty cool that there’s this big discussion about logo design going on around the world, and so started looking at others.

I agree a lot with what has been discussed so far, and Heller puts it quite well with “I question whether they are indeed the “Best in the World” or just the best of what they had to choose from–a fundamental problem with all competitions.”

I was quite disapointed with the number of logos that were submitted to Wolda, and had hoped there would be a really big interest from agencies across the globe. I think what happened is everyone was being cautious, thinking since this is the 1st Wolda, they will wait to see what the calibre is, and decide from there if its worth entering next year. Logolounge recieved 35,000 compared to the 1100 at Wolda. Obvioulsy we’re stoked with the win, but do take it in context. Lets face it, there’s some amazing recent logos like NYC by Wolff Olins and Guild of food writers by 300million out there which are truly brilliant.

I think it is context ultimately, and one degree struck a chord with the judges for its timely relevance and the idea behind it (if every individual makes one degree of change in their life, it will change the future of the planet). The fact the logo isn’t green and has no leafs in it, breaks the category norm, it is also understood in its most simplest form (1 and a degree symbol), yet is also a person (jamie – it is meant to be a half person, the negative space on the right completing the mark…it can also be seen as a person side on, arms behind them). Its very simple, and that is why i think the judges chose it (maybe)

I think there are some really good logos in wolda – the Sancti logo is great, and works terrifically as a symbol with or without the type. Sapka is very clever as well. The twins logo reminds me of quintet, that got a type directors award years ago (http://38one.com/cleverblog/quintet). both of them very good though.

Anyway, ill hopefully be checking in regularly as you’ve got some pretty good articles going on. cheers, j

Oct 6th, 2008
Tim

I really like the “Neo Tokyo logo, I think put within it’s own context of a logo for a Japanese electronic art exhibition it works really well, and very creative.

Oct 6th, 2008
Tim

Also love the twins logo, very clever visual twist

Oct 6th, 2008
Areti Maniati

Hi David,

I just had the chance to read your comments and seem quite interesting. I am writing simply to answer to your query about the design brief of each logo. Well, yes, we provide this info to the jury. Each judge, whilst voting, is able to see the logos along with their descriptions and only, so as to understand more about the concept behind the logo. Judges have no acess to designers’, agencies’ and countries’ names. These elements are announced by us only after the judges scoring is over and having collected the most voted and as such winning logos.

Best,

Areti Maniati

Oct 6th, 2008
Sean

Hey David,
Great content and info! I couldn’t agree with you more on the twins logo.. awesome stuff. Also agree with the one degree logo, feel like I’ve seen it before and nothing new… but meh, congrats

see ya

Sean’s last blog post…Incspring finalist!

Oct 7th, 2008
LaurenMarie - Creative Curio

Gosh that Sapka Hat Design one looks a whole lot like one I did in school (hey, I never said mine was good!).

David, I agree with the Twins logo. I think we like it because of our beloved Lublin :D

@Jason, I appreciate your point of view as one of the entrants in the competition. You seem to be taking the criticism very well and that’s quite admirable. Your explanation of the reasons behind the design of the 1 Degree logo make me like it more!

@Areti, thanks for letting us know a little more about the judging process!

LaurenMarie – Creative Curio’s last blog post…Answers to Reader Questions on InDesign

Oct 8th, 2008
JASON LITTLE

I was thinking last night about some of the comments about entry into the awards through paid submission. I came to the conclusion that the fees are necessary for the awards to actually happen. Think of all the time and effort it takes to organise, find partners and sponsorship, marketing etc. and then the whole judging process.

I’ve read in various blogs almost scathing views on paid submission, but the truth is everyone does it. However, some of the costs are quite high such as D+AD, NY Festivals, ADC and Clios. Lets face it though, the prestige of all these makes them desirable and so they can charge what they want! Its costly, but i guess thats where being selective about the work you enter is key. Scattergun aproaches don’t tend to work.

I guess also, its easy to forget that the money that goes into these actually goes towards education, development and various initiatives and contributions to the industry that we all work within.

So paid v free?
Are there actually any free ones out there of worth? Even logolounge has a members fee and then the logos are judged on no criteria other than it looks good, or is part of a current trend.

Oct 8th, 2008
LaurenMarie - Creative Curio

All of the Communication Arts competitions are pay, too. I think it keeps out people who would just throw their stuff in without it being serious (cuts down on junk entries), as well as paying for the costs of running such a competition. I don’t have a problem with paid competitions. If you want something valuable, you have to pay for it, right?

LaurenMarie – Creative Curio’s last blog post…Answers to Reader Questions on InDesign

Oct 9th, 2008
David Airey

Hi Jason,

Thanks very much for taking the time to comment. I hadn’t seen the Wolda post on the Daily Heller, but stopped by after your mention and found the discussion of interest. You’ve helped put things in better context, and nice to see the Guild of Food Writers logo being plugged. It’s one I’ve featured on my other blog in this post: Logo of the month #9 (just a real shame how it has been implemented on the website).

Regarding your paid vs. free thoughts, seems like a good idea for a new blog post.

You know, I hadn’t seen that Quintet logo before, so thanks for bringing it to my attention. Excellent work.

Areti,

As Lauren said, thanks for clarifying a little of the judging process. Much appreciated.

Lauren,

You were ahead of the curve there with your own logo design, eh? I agree with you that paid submissions cut down on poor entries. There were quite a lot of duffs when I ran the little Logo Design Love Awards, though I was happy with the results.

Sean, Tim, Dainis,

Good of you to comment.

Oct 9th, 2008
Amanda Vlahakis

Sancti Spíritus Wines is my favourite out of these listed here, it’s really clever and distinct.

But when you visit the winners list there are so many absolutely stunning designs.

I like the twins one but can’t help but think that I’m not ‘getting it’ – clearly the shape is meant to be something, yet despite being a designer I can’t figure out what it’s meant to be!

Oh wait, it’s only took me 10 minutes …. I’ve just got it, it’s a 2 on it’s side, very clever! Hmmm that does make me think it’s actually probably better than the bottle design I like.

Jacob Cass over at Just Creative Design has had some success at the awards also.

Oct 13th, 2008
mimimi

sapka is a stro[i]ke of genius.
hats off.

mimimi’s last blog post…PSI Party Leaflet

Oct 15th, 2008
David Airey

Hi Amanda,

Glad you ‘got’ the Twins logo. I’m also very fond of the Sancti Spiritus design.

Mihai,

I enjoyed browsing your Behance portfolio. Cheers for commenting.

Oct 16th, 2008
Areti

Hello there! I happened to browse your comments here once again and i would like to point that, for those interested on checking more on Wolda, all the Wolda ’08 winning logos are showcased on our homepage: wolda.org. Respecting other years, for Wolda ’08 and onwards, we have decided to display ALL winning logos online and not just the “Best of..”. So, be our guests and express your thoughts which are all much appreciable. You can also find us on facebook (Wolda) and twitter (eulda_books).

Areti Maniati
Project Director

Jan 5th, 2010