World Cup Whingers

In response to Gary’s Own Goal post last week I would like to have a little rant at all those who have knocked the German 2006 World Cup identity. Having previously worked with FIFA on the 2002 World Cup event branding I know how difficult, complex, political and often frustrating the process of designing a World Cup emblem is.

What these 11 designers fail to take into account is a little thing called a BRIEF! I know how strict the FIFA briefs are and wouldn’t be surprised if all of these 11 alternative solutions failed to answer the 2006 brief. I’m sure there were probably countless more appealing, more creative, innovative, industry pleasing routes put forward as solutions for German emblem but they were probably thrown out due to cultural, legal, logistical, political, trademark issues. While I’m at it, in my opinion, apart from maybe 1, these 11 routes are obvious, bland, uninspiring, poorly crafted, naive solutions and they were all designed without any restrictions! I’d hate to see what they’d come up with if they did have a brief and a client to please!!

I have just returned from Germany having been lucky enough to get tickets for the England v Sweden game, the emblem is everywhere and surprisingly effective and totally in keeping with the mood and vision of the tournament. Therefore, whether you like it or not, it works The German public and global footballing community don’t seem to have a problem with it, I’m actually not overly keen on it myself but thats my personal opinion, there are hundreds of high profile creative jobs I don’t particually love but I don’t go round forming a gang of rebel designers to post alternative solutions on a website because I have more respect for the people involved.

The 2010 emblem for the South African World Cup will be launched very soon, let’s hope it doesn’t provoke another wave of whinging designer letters to Design Week claiming they could have done a better job!

Dave Brown
Posted on Friday, 23rd of June 2006 Permalink Comment (0)