“Best of Nation” global design award for Qatar’s grow

Wolda, the Worldwide Logo Design Annual 2010, has awarded the prestigious  “Best of Nation” award for Qatar to grow. Its design for the Education Centre logo at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) was selected from almost 1,400 entries from freelance designers, agencies, studios and students from all over the world. Wolda is the first and only award scheme endorsed by more than 100 design associations and schools.

This high-profile graphic design award recognises the best logos and trademarks designed throughout the world and judging is done by an innovative three-tier jury of 10 top designers, 10 marketing managers from major international companies and 10 members of the public, who represent the eventual target market.

Wolda ’10 selected the brand identity for the Education Centre at the MIA as a winner this year because of its original concept and the design excellence executed by grow. It has been given an honourable mention on the Wolda website and you can see the full list of 200 winning logos from all around the world at http://www.wolda.org/showcase/professional/2010?page=12

grow’s brief back in 2010 was to create a logo that mirrors and communicates the priceless wonders of artistic delights housed within the museum and focuses on the building itself as a work of art. A fusion of geometric art and freehand techniques, the logo embraces the essence, the DNA, the inspiration of the museum itself, the architectural masterpiece designed by I.M.Pei that represents the artistry inherent in the collections within. The water-coloured background represents not only the location, but also the fluidity and flow that is expressed through creative education. Supporting the image is slick typography with the Arabic name stacked above the English, yet working beautifully together.

This is not the first award given to this outstanding logo; earlier this year it was selected to appear in USA’s premier design publication LogoLounge’s Book 6, which features the cream of logos from all over the globe. Only 1000 logos are selected by international judges from over 34,000 entries submitted.

Wolda explained: “(The winners) track the evolution of tastes, styles and trends in global design, year after year. Wolda’s standing is guaranteed by the endorsement of the most important design associations and schools.”

Anthony Ryman, Managing Director of grow commented: “ This is so important for grow but also for Qatar. We always said that our mission is to help Qatari companies articulate and express their identity and so position and differentiate themselves on the global stage. This award is created in Qatar and for Qatar and we dedicate it to H.H. Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Bin Khalifa al Thani for her exemplary vision and commitment to supporting culture and promoting Qatari intellectual capital through the arts.