Many Chinese may not like the logo for the 2008 Beijing
Olympics, but after seeing the newly-unveiled jigsaw puzzle-like
design for the 2012 London Games, they feel lucky having a pretty
good one.
A number of Chinese don't understand how this "messy" pattern
has come out from selection process, saying the so-called "China
Seal" a neat blend of China's history and sport.
Championed by London Olympic officials but disapproved by the
public, the 2012 Olympics logo has met far more opposition than
that of Beijing's only days after its unveiling.
Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee
praised the design as innovative, but the logo has seen worldwide
reaction going the opposite direction, triggering scathing
criticism online and even people demanding for a replacement.
Meanwhile, the Chinese are pleased that at least most of them
support their own culture-loaded stamp to represent the image for
the nation's debut Olympic experience.
An official for the Beijing Olympics organizing committee who
would only speak on the condition of anonymity said: "I don't like
the design. It looks messy. I know it wins support from the
International Olympic Committee, but I personally don't like
it."
The graffiti-like design also generated the same response from
36-year-old Man Bin who works for China's State Council Information
Office.
"It's quite unorganized and looks bad,." Man said. "I don't see
beauty from it, and it reminds me of the run down streets of New
York City."
To 28-year-old Zhang Xin, a video game music producer, the
London logo is too "avant-garde". "I don't really like it because
it's too electronic looking," Zhang said. "It looks like it was
designed by the French or Americans."
These three interviewees firmly supported Beijing's design.
"Beijing's logo displays a sense of history and culture," said
Zhang. "The running figure is quite an original idea and really
shows what it means."
When asked for opinion on the London Olympics design,
22-year-old American Erin Zureick, who works in Beijing as intern,
cannot wait to express her dislike. "Do you think it's ugly too?"
was her response. "It's too bright. It just isn't very appealing to
look at it."
But Zureick is in favor of the "China Seal", describing it as
"modern" and represents some part of Chinese culture. And all in
all, "it's really nice-looking", Erin added.
Both Zureick and Zhang appreciate the idea embraced by the
London Games organizers of attracting young people. "But it seems
like it was a good idea that went in the wrong direction," the
American university student said.
Zhou Kun, a 28-year-old telecommunication engineer doesn't know
she's in the minority as she is one of the few who is fond of
London's logo.
"It's fantastic," Zhou exclaimed when seeing the hot pink sign.
"I like the color. When you look at it for the first time, it gives
you a brand new sense, a kind of expectation."
When asked to make a comparison between London's and Beijing's
logos, Zhou thought Beijing is more conservative while London is
more outgoing, but Zhou chose London's as her favorite.
Although many Chinese have a chilly reaction to the vibrant
London logo, Chinese graphic designers like it.
"It goes beyond the tradition -- modern elements are emphasized
instead of traditional culture," said Zhou Su, a 45-year-old
designer.
"This helps the design to be accepted by people from different
cultural backgrounds," Zhou explained. "The variation of the design
for the Paralympics is a classic example for creativity."
For 35 year-old designer Xing Zhonghao, too many concepts might
ruin a logo and this does not fall into that category.
"As a designer, I like this logo. It looks very relaxing and
sporty," Xing said. "I think it's good for logo designs of sports
events to break free from carrying too many meanings."
"Regardless of cultural backgrounds, I think people would choose
this one [London logo] for being more relevant to sports games
instead of Beijing's. "
(China Daily June 8, 2007)