Logo News

We have kept working on the new logo and visual profile for PRIO, following the staff meeting in late November. The feedback from this meeting was very constructive, and pointed Agnete and me in new directions. We first tested several varieties of the symbol now commonly known as the ‘angry man’, but softening its strokes made it quite powerless. Inspired by the staff meeting ideas, we then moved on with alternative ideas. We have worked hard, at strange hours, and have received valuable input from Inger, Scott, Andrew, Halvor and Jørgen C. at different stages in the process, commenting on various sketches pointing in different directions.

The ambition now is to launch a possible new "PRIO look" with the Annual Report. But it is also clear that the option of 'no change' is still there, although I must admit it is not my preferred end state.

Now I'd like to present to you the three last sketches, and explain the choice I would prefer to proceed with. This process will not move forward until Saturday, so you may send me your comments in the next three days, either publicly as a comment to this blog post, or privately to my email inbox. Whether you agree or disagree, I very much welcome your input!

In these sketches, please do not put emphasis on the colors presented. In the process, we have so far set the color aside, and concentrated on the symbol. Even for the symbols, see the current representation as an idea that in a final version is likely to look quite different.

Here is a suggestion that you will not recognize from the earlier stages of the process. It is a symbol that represents both a P as in Peace and a D as in Dialogue, and 'built' as a talk bubble. The idea has to do with communication between opponents as well as researchers' communication with each other and society.

Preliminary verdict: The ideas behind, and the logo itself, are very good (It has grown with me over the past few days). But not for PRIO. The human element is missing, and even though communication is at the core of our activities, our ways and means of communicating are not best symbolized by talk bubbles. I think it is such a great idea that I hope somebody else can use it.

This suggestion is a direct response to the point voiced by several people in the November staff meeting: 'Look to the good old jellymen'. A return to the trio, and to humanity, underscored by the protecting arm.

Preliminary verdict: This is certainly human, but too formal and restrained. We felt (independently) that this could be a great logo for a recruiting company for health care services. Nice. But not PRIO.

This last suggestion is also the newest, and least processed. But maybe therefore, also the most mature as 'basic idea' after a rather intense process. It is rooted in the same ideas as the above trio, as well as an idea of PRIO identity and the importance of the individual and the written in our everyday work: a human trio presented with a ‘calligraphic line’ (a reflection on the 'handwritten signature', which conveys timelessness and seriousness). And since this is what I want to proceed with, I'll emphasize what makes me feel this way:

• The symbol offers an obvious handshake to the jellymen and thus, PRIO history and identity 
• The symbol is clearly human
• The symbol makes me think of writing
• The symbol makes me think of the meaning of the individual researcher (signature) in building a meaningful collective (3 means many = PRIO)
• The symbol has a timeless and cross-cultural ambiguity to it (this can be further nourished)

The symbol is not quite 'ready' and needs considerable work, but I believe it has a great potential, also as a basis for useful complementary symbols (2nd and 3rd design elements, in designer speak).

Now I eagerly await your comments. I expect them to be both direct and constructive, just as the ones you made in the November meeting!