Apologies for the long delay between posts, I’ve been away with work in the somewhat warmer climes of Dubai. I’m not trying to make you jealous, honestly, it’s relevant to this post. It also follows on rather well from my previous logo related review.
It’s been a little while since I’ve travelled out to the UAE for work and lots has changed with some, if not most, of the construction and hospitality sectors driven by the upcoming Expo 2020.
One evening while I was there a new logo on the side of a taxi caught my eye, a single colour graphic that simply read “Dubai”.
I thought it was rather nice but being busy I thought nothing more of it until the next day when I saw the full colour version on the number plates of newer cars.
Then started to notice it on posters and adverts too so I looked into it a bit more.
Turns out it is much more than a pleasingly aesthetic graphic, it is beautifully clever in what it achieves. In blue (read from left to right) it says “Dubai” using the Roman alphabet, and woven into this text in pink (read from right to left) it says “Dubai” in Arabic.
The choice of colours give a bright and fresh impression, with subtle shading to add a hint of depth to it. Beautifully done!
Dare I say it is strangely reminiscent of the Iranian logo for the Milan Expo this year…
The new logo fronts a marketing campaign for Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, a cohesive and inclusive identity to “ensure that the emirate speaks with one voice to its citizens and visitors”.
The dual language logo also represents Dubai as “fusion of cultures and nationalities”, which it certainly is.
You can see how the logo is affecting the overhaul of all transport iconography (and not just the taxis and buses) here.
Bravo to the graphic designers on this. Anyone know who created it?