Italian Capital of Culture: A Logo Transcending Time and Stereotypes

Akomi's Award-Winning Logo Design for Bergamo and Brescia

Akomi's logo design for Bergamo and Brescia, two cities set to become the Italian Capital of Culture in 2023, is a masterstroke of innovation and creativity. The logo's geometric construction, inspired by the resilience of building rods, symbolizes the cities' strength and adaptability, particularly during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The logo's unique properties lie in its simplicity and versatility. It is designed to evolve over time and remain relevant even after 2023. The design's linear element can acquire different meanings and complete different shapes, making it a timeless representation of the cities' cultural dynamism.

The logo's design allows for a wide range of applications. It can be embossed, perforated, cut, embroidered, and printed using any technique on any kind of support. This versatility ensures its coherent reproduction and recognizability across various mediums, from black and white printing to digital video animation.

The design process involved overcoming several challenges, including representing both cities equally and avoiding any cultural symbols specific to one city. The colors blue, red, and yellow were chosen from the municipalities' coats of arms. The design team sought to create a "pop" logo, inspired by major international sporting events, to emphasize that culture should be accessible to all.

The logo was launched in December 2021 and will be used until the end of 2023. An evolved version will be adopted as a legacy for future cultural events. The most recognizable sign of the logo, the red 3/B element, is designed to survive beyond 2023 and adapt to different contexts, embodying versatility and empathy.

Akomi's design was chosen from over 50 proposals by a jury chaired by Antonio Romano of Inarea, a highly respected professional in visual identity. The logo design was awarded Silver in the A' Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design Award in 2023, a testament to its outstanding expertise and innovation.