I’ve always loved the way symbols and images (otherwise known as logos) represent organisations and companies. A symbol is a form of language that speaks to us in many ways. It has the power to make us feel happy, sad, relieved, angry, disappointed and an array of other emotions.  So for example, if I’ve been driving on a highway for hours and in need of a break, can you imagine how relieved I would feel when I see that yellow arch in the distance? That symbol means to me that there’s a place that I can rest in, have a cup of coffee or maybe have something to eat. I may not agree with some of the food they churn out but McDonalds is a place that I’m familiar with. In other words it’s a trustworthy company because of the way they branded and marketed that image. Another great example is the Commonwealth Bank logo. Now did you know that this logo is actually the Southern Cross? You don’t believe me? Just look at it again and take out the lines and solid colours and voila you get the points of the Southern Cross! Clever isn’t it?

Another awesome symbol is the New Librarians Symposium 6’s logo.  Some say it looks like a bird – “a parrot or a canary, depending on how you look at it”! Yes I suppose it could be a bird if you start looking at the logo from its left hand corner, where its beak could be. Another one thought it could be a “polygonal snow storm”. Hmm I’ve never thought of a snow storm that way.  But for me the first thing that came to my mind was: Fireworks! It’s like vibrant colours radiating from a point. And then I thought of a new star exploding, sparkling and glowing out of the darkness. It’s quite suitable really as NLS6 is about being passionate in a new profession (symbolised by the radiating colours) but also being different to suit the changing working environment (symbolised by the colourful lights heading out in different directions). One avid librarian thought that the image was a “bit like you’ve pulled apart the ALIA star, and then forgotten how to put it back together again.” Bingo! He hit the nail on the head. It is in fact a deconstructed ALIA star. But we haven’t really forgotten how to put it back together again, we just recreated a new and different version of the star! Indeed a powerful symbol that says – ‘Be Different’!

 

We thank the ALIA graphic designer for designing this awesome logo!