Humanrights Logo competition – Meet the jury: Ahmad Humeid

Design made in Germany is a supporter of the the Human Rights Logo competition which is open until July 30th 2011. So far, almost 10,000 entries have been submitted but with the competition approaching its close, we would like to offer some last minute insights into a selection of the jury members and participants in a series presented here on our blog. Most of the jury members are not German, so these posts will be in English.

BTW: I dont’t want to open up the crowdsourcing discussion here again, I think everything about that was said here already: Human-Rights-Logo: »Eine peinliche Diskussion« (only in German)

Interview Series with the Jury
Part 1

Ahmad Humeid, CEO SYNTAX

Designer (www.syntaxdigital.com)
Blogger (www.360east.com)
Digital entrepreneur (www.itoot.net, www.ikbis.com, hellospring.net)
Design activist (redesignarabia.com). Inventor of the ElectroTurban®

Why should designers and/or non-designers participate in the competition?

Because it is a chance to possibly create a symbol that will be used by humanity for decades or even centuries. Think of the cross, the crescent. Think of peace sign. Think of the Apple or Coca Cola logos. And that symbol will stand for human rights, a human concept that is evolving as humanity evolves to look beyond nations, beyond religions and recognizes our common human fate and assigns universal values to human dignity.

Why do human rights need a logo?

Maybe because we need a shorthand expression for this evolving concept of universal human values. In the not too distant past, and even today, national pride or other narrow allegiances are deemed to be more important that human rights. As universal human rights gain more acceptance around the globe, a simple symbol can cement the meaning of these rights and emphasize their universality.

Brands and their symbols are also an emerging language. In a more complex world with many choices, many media and information overload, simple symbols are like now words for direct, efficient communication.

Do you have an example for a good (or even perfect) logo design and why do you think it is perfect?

The Apple logo. Every little child sees the Apple. The Apple has a bite taken from it which opens the possibility of all kinds of myths and stories. It is very simple and reproducible on any surface. It is friendly too.

What is your opinion on crowdsourcing in general?

I am for it when it co es to information but not so much in favor when it comes to creation of logos. To create great logos, the single minded and crazy determination of a single person is often needed. Committees judging competition entires often make compromises. But there are exceptions to that as well.

What does a good logo need?

Simplicity. Multiplicity of layers of meaning. Reproducibility. Character and differentiation.