Klaipeda City 760-th anniversary: A Celebration of Calligraphy-inspired Design

Visual Identity that Reflects the Vibrant Spirit of Klaipeda

Klaipeda, the third largest city in Lithuania, holds a significant place in the country's history. Situated next to the Baltic Sea, it has been a hub of trade and culture for centuries. To commemorate its 760th anniversary, the city sought a visual identity that would capture its rich heritage and celebrate its present-day vibrancy.

Drawing inspiration from the art of calligraphy, the KLEMENCOV GROUP designed a comprehensive visual identity system for the anniversary celebrations. This included a captivating slogan, "Klaipeda - City of Good Winds," a dynamic logotype, promotional materials, a historical panorama, and two unique spatial compositions.

The logotype, a freestyle calligraphic representation of the word "Klaipeda," merges the concepts of the city, wind, calligraphy, and the anniversary. Digitally created, it exudes energy, emotion, and style. The vibrant red and yellow colors of the official Klaipeda City heraldry were used to evoke a sense of history and tradition.

The main spatial composition, titled "Klaipeda. 1252-2012 Historic Pendulum," is a kinetic installation symbolizing the passage of time. Its central part moves from side to side, driven by the wind gusts, attracting street performers, dancers, and poets. This 12-meter high and 6x6-meter wide composition features LED lights, audio/sound effects, and a metal construction.

Another notable installation, "Birds Chirping," is an interactive kinetic composition that represents a symbolic vision of Klaipeda City. Each "nesting-box" within the composition represents a personified cultural or business object. Equipped with servo engines, proximity sensors, and LED lights, this 4-meter high and 3x6-meter wide composition dynamically modifies itself and plays sound effects, creating an engaging and immersive experience for spectators.

The realization of these designs involved the use of various technologies, including 2D and 3D software, wide-format printing, prototyping controllers, servo engines, proximity sensors, and modular constructions. The KLEMENCOV GROUP team, consisting of Roman Klemencov, Ilja Klemencov, and Anatoly Klemencov, brought their expertise and creativity to bring these designs to life.

The Klaipeda City 760th anniversary visual identity system, with its calligraphy-inspired designs and interactive installations, has received international recognition. In 2013, it was awarded the Silver A' Design Award in the Graphics, Illustration, and Visual Communication Design category. This prestigious award recognizes the outstanding expertise, innovation, and artistic skill demonstrated by the KLEMENCOV GROUP in creating a visually captivating and emotionally engaging celebration of Klaipeda City.