Rising from the Ashes
In Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games, Chicago based VSA Partners offered up their services to create the 2016 Olympic logo.
Their first submission was well received. The combination of Chicago’s skyline and waterfront mashed up with the symbolism of the Olympic torch was a great solution. Unfortunately, the IOC rules regarding logos put a quick halt to VSA’s celebration of creativity.
The IOC rules state that a logo “shall not contain the Olympic symbol, the Olympic motto, the Olympic flag, any other Olympic-related imagery (e.g., flame, torch, medal, etc.), slogan, designation or other indicia or the distorted version thereof or a design confusingly similar thereto.”
On September 19th VSA offered up their revised logo. The new logo pays tribute to the original attempted without Olympic symbolism.
I’m just now seeing the new logo around the city. It’s popping up everywhere.
Each logo is a great representation of the city of Chicago - The great skyline that sits on the shores of Lake Michigan.
Symbolism - (opinions may vary)
• Both logos represent how Chicago rose from the ashes of the Great Chicago Fire to rebuild itself as one of the great modern cities of the world.
• Both logos incorporate the symbolism of fire & water (two powerful elements). Both have given Chicago life.
• The six pointed star in the revised version pays respect to the 4 stars on the city of Chicago’s flag. The star also points to the three banners of color that might indicate the 1,2,3 place ribbons/medals given to the athletes.
Like Chicago, VSA rose from the ashes to create a similar, yet brilliant logo.
