International logo contest
Other languages:
Deutsch: Internationaler Logo-Wettbewerb
Français: Concours international de logo
中文(Zhongwen): 国际图标竞赛
On June 14, 2003 Erik Moeller proposed to hold a new logo contest, because he argued that the current Wikipedia logo, pictured to the right, has some of the following problems:
- not international -- English text
- "a ball of text" -- not very aesthetic and challenging to read
- cites one specific philosopher -- possibly POV (and not everyone feels good about the quote)
- lacks color (black and white) -- portrays a "text-only" encyclopedia, where in practice it includes graphics and images.
- Choppy looking with dark backgrounds -- should be .png and versatile.
Some Wikipedias, notably the French one and the Hebrew one, have decided to use or intend to use a different logo. This is understandable, given the above problems. However, a better long-term solution may be the development of a new, international logo that does not have the problems of the original one. This contest is supposed to address the problem. Here's how it works:
- Upload new logos using the Upload file link (you need to be logged in, note that meta.wiki has a separate account database).
- Please remember to choose a unique filename to avoid overwriting existing revisions.
- Logo submissions are added to International logos -- no translations of that page, please, just the images and numbers
- Link to your logo using [[Image:LogoBjoernBjoernsenJuly2003.png]] (PNG is the preferred extension), with the filename obviously substituted
- Deadline for submitting logos: August 20
After that deadline, there will be two votes:
- Which logo should be used?
- Should this logo, and slight variations thereof, be used on all Wikipedias, or should each Wikipedia be allowed to choose an entirely separate logo?
The voting page will be set up at International logo vote. The voting method for voting on the best logo will be average voting, which was also used for article count reform. The voting method for the second question may be simple yes/no vote, given that there are only two options.
Content guidelines
The logo should contain no English text like "The Free Encyclopedia" -- this can be added as needed. But if you want the subtitle to be in a specific font, please do upload it as a separate image, and also specify the font you use.
The image should contain the text WIKIPEDIA, but it should be separable from the logo so that it can be replaced if necessary.
Format guidelines
Logos should be at most 150x150 pixels, preferably in transparent PNG format; however, a scalable vector version (preferably SVG format) from which the logo is generated should be uploaded as well if at all possible. This allows the use of the logo in any resolution, on t-shirts, flyers etc.
Prizes
Wikipedians who are willing to donate prizes for the best logo(s), please add your suggestions here.
Inspiration
Please add ideas below. These inspirations do not need to be translated:
- an alphabet letter which also looks like a construction site
- a green tree with some interesting fruit (letters, pages or something like that)
- several book volumes standing next to each other, with an inkwell sitting on the top
- a flower or planet within a pair of double square brackets.
See also the examples at Wikipedia mascot.
Example for the last option:
Note: This is not a logo submission. The copyright status of the sunflower picture is unclear, and it is a quick hack anyway.