Showing posts with label Amsterdam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Amsterdam. Show all posts

Sep 12, 2010

growing human (best logo in Amsterdam)

I declare this the best logo in Amsterdam (Tropentheatre in Amsterdam):


It's amazing. I could get lost just watching this logo and thinking about all the meaning.

from their website: "The Tropentheater is the best place for concerts, dance performances, theater, youth theater and films from non-Western countries and the fringes of Europe."
The name translates as the Tropics Theater. Obviously the name it's the statement regarding the content of the performances they have in their program (non-western, but i would say even non-european).

If you look at the logo, you will see human shapes, as captured from their movement and performance. It could be dance, theater or film. Or even lecture (look at the to shapes standing in the bottom). And together they form a tree, a human tree. Or even better, they are united in a tree, in a common ground, in a growing environment. It's about expression and unity in the same time.
It also gives me the impression of floating or flying. Of relaxation, freedom and self expression. It's also about growing, growing like artists, like humans, like a planet.

And then we can talk about derivations:


Using the same pattern, the same concept of connectivity you can keep on adding to the design.
Hope you like it.

*photos taken in Amsterdam, august 2010

Aug 23, 2010

xxx

You can imagine the shock I had when I was told that this is the flag of Amsterdam.


And just like that all sort of questions came into my mind. Which was first the flag or the xxx movie rating? What does it mean? where does it come from?

My first instinct was to see the xxx symbol relating to the porno industry and also the symbol for dead cartoon characters.


Apparently the 3 Xs (the St. Andrew's cross) stand for the motto of the city: Valor, Resolution, and Mercy. A more popular version refers to the 3 threats of the city: Water, Fire and Pestilence.

The usage of the 3 xs is wide spread, from the official organization like the University to the Red Light District.



All we have to do now is wait for the .xxx domains to be approved.
By the way, do you think the rating system has anything to do with Amsterdam? Or it's just a weird coincidence?


*photo taken in Amsterdam / august 2010

I AMsterdam

Like all big cities, Amsterdam has its own brand. As in Copenhagen case, it uses part of the name to express it. I think everything started with I ♥ NY - the 70's campaign to promote the city. My impression is that the Amsterdam brand has its root in this concept, but it grow in a different direction. The verb "am" is the best part. It makes you feel you belong there, you are part of what's happening.It's the biggest promise a city can make to a visitor - you will be part of who and what I AM. And considering we are talking about Amsterdam, who wouldn't want that?

In the end of august, there is a huge Sail Parade in Amsterdam. The city brand what present in 3 meter tall letters in the street near one view point of the parade. I think is the best expression of what it really means.
People literally become the city. They "live" in it.
Other use of the brand commitment i saw on a bicycle taxi.

I think is the most personal and friendly city brand. In the same time is about diversity. Who are you? You can be whoever you want to be here...
BE AMSTERDAM!!

*photos taken in Amsterdam august 2010

Aug 20, 2010

King of the road

If you can't drive like a king, you can at least park like one.

*photo taken in Amsterdam / august 2010