70th Independence Day logo lacks creativity and public approval
The official logo for 70th Independence Day, Pakistan received mixed public reviews.
By Arooj Khalid
Pakistan’s 70th Independence Day is fast approaching and despite the general negativity and corruption, we Pakistanis are usually pretty hyped up to celebrate the Azadi. Green and white clothes, flags, flowers, food, lights even billboards and fireworks adorn the streets across the country. Just for a few days, we stop criticizing and start celebrating.
In anticipation for the 70th anniversary of independence this year, Pakistan Government launched the official logo a few weeks ago and received mixed reviews as is evident through this Facebook reaction.
Marriyum Aurangzeb, Minister of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage said that they received around 400 entries from 200 artists which made the public wonder why this particular logo was selected. A government spokesperson later corrected the public by saying that the minister had absolutely nothing to do with the decision making. The panel consisted of four judges, who were qualified in fields of graphics and visual design.
The people however had a lot more to say. Some downright criticized how unsightly the logo was, while others tried a little bit harder to stay positive by saying that the others must have been just as bad.
All this banter took a sharp turn when it was exposed that a similar photo had been available on shutter-stock for sale. Although not exactly the same, the plagiarism couldn’t be missed. Only a few size changes and minute change in color had been done before submitting and eventually winning in the competition.
This reveled the efforts jurist’s had put into making sure that the content was original, appropriate, and worthy. The nation’s verdict on social media was pretty clear, that the logo was none of those things.
Marriyum Aurangzeb had said that 200 artists had submitted 400 entries to design the logo. pic.twitter.com/t3SK2UfOiM
— The Brief (@thebriefintl) July 18, 2017
And this is what they came out with?! pic.twitter.com/JQ5ziovq8J
— Durriyah Rehman (@durriyah_r) July 18, 2017
— Farid Razzaqi (@FaridRazaqi) July 24, 2017
What provoked a huge reaction was the fact that the NUST student who submitted this logo was awarded with Rs.500, 000 by the government. Many thought this public money could’ve been used for a tone of other things that were actually required. And if it was going to be spent on the logo, at least it could’ve been a much better logo than this one.
Now that the logo has been launched and the nation is busy dealing with bigger problems, it looks like we’ll be celebrating the 70th Jashn-e-Azadi with a plagiarized logo. Looking on the bright side, who knows, maybe it will help inspire a gay pride movement on Independence Day.
