Mmegi's 25th Anniversary logo launched

| Friday March 27, 2009 00:00

The logo appears next to the newspaper's masthead (nameplate) on the front page. The logo will appear on the daily issues of Mmegi running up to the month of celebration at the end of August 2009. This launch of the logo is part of the build-up to the 25 years celebrations which are scheduled for August.

The logo will also appear on other promotional and advertising materials such as T-Shirts, Caps, Lanyards, Bags, Badges, Balloons, Key tags, Beer and Coffee Mugs, Beer & Wine glasses, Bookmarks, Mouse pads, Umbrellas, Banners, Chinaware (ceramics or pottery).
When asked to expound on the design rationale of the logo, DPC's Graphics Editor Lesang Maswabi explains, 'We set out to design a logo that would not only project the nature of the organisation's business but also remain indelible in the minds of the public.

Through its sublime finish, the refined and plain logo would further drive the reading community (old and new) to continue identifying with the newspaper'.'Our approach to this task was to adopt a minimalist style that is emphatic in simplicity and plainness. We chose to apply this basic and uncluttered technique given that the newspaper has always been regarded as a serious-read, which is subtle and not too colourful.

The logo comprises of conventionally-thread and balanced design elements of icons (symbols), type (fonts) and colour scheme'.  Maswabi states that the design has three key icons of the pen, shield and seal that are reflected in the logo. Each one of these is representative of what Mmegi has stood for over the last 25 years.

'The Pen icon symbolises the industry's key tool. It has been the profession's trademark from time immemorial. And as the saying goes: The pen is mightier than the sword meaning; human history is influenced more by the written word than by warfare'.

'The Seal image is an attestation and a mark of quality. It is as well a hallmark of excellence in the industry'.'The Shield symbol is not only a decorative device that usually contains symbolic images. In this scenario it also serves as a solid base and background encasing all other key elements in it, being the type, pen and seal.  Historically the shield has also been used by courageous troops to defend and protect themselves against assailants. In the current state of affairs of the media in Botswana, the shield also symbolises a weapon that the fourth estate (media) shall use to defend itself against the aggressor (state), especially after the recent passing of the controversial Media Bill by government'.

'The two different typefaces that have been used are Impact and Edwardian Script. Impact has been deliberately selected to embolden '25th' motif, since it is the central focus of the event. The same Impact typeface has been applied to 'Anniversary' and '1984-2009'.

The theme 'Celebrating Media in Botswana' appears in Edwardian Script typeface, which has traditionally been used for ceremonial events or occasions'.On the 25 stars across the shield and above the 'Anniversary Celebrations' line, Maswabi explains: 'That is a representation of the number of years of existence of Mmegi, that the newspaper has shone through'.

He concludes, 'All of the colours chosen from the colour wheel have been carefully selected, cognisant of the newsprint's medium that it first appears on before being transferred onto other applications. Red and blue are Mmegi's corporate colours, hence the predominance. Yellow has however also been used as we have traditionally applied it in Mmegi's advertising and promotional material like adverts, folders and banners'.