Thanks for visiting.
I am working on an assignment to design the logo for RTI (Right to Information) for the Department of Personnel and Training, GoI. The idea is to use this symbol on all awareness material and also outside the offices of PIOs across the country. This shall help create a visual awareness and connect with the masses.
I am sharing a few of the selected options I have created, please give your comments/opinion/preferences, so that I can further detail out the form.
The brief which I got from the ministry was rather clear – the symbol should reflect ‘transactions’, ‘transperancy’ and ’empowerment’, besides being easy to reproduce such that even a painter in the village can paint it on the Panchayat office walls.
So, here they are – thanks
concept 1. the question mark is a universally accepted icon for seeking answers. I have integrated the handform in it to portray the people involved in seeking and providing answers/information, under RTI.
concept 2A. The act of filing an RTI application on a plain sheet of paper is symbolised in this logo. The two black triangles on the background signify the two parties between which this transaction takes place.
Concept 3. This one symbolises an open book and the rising sun, empowering the citizens of our country. There are 12 strokes in the rising sun, symbolising that RTI is open and functional throughout the 12 months of the year unlike other wings of the govt. (such as the parliament and the judiciary which have vacations)
Concept 4. this one is based on the concept of duality - there is a transaction which is transparent (the black and white rectangles) - the exclaimation mark stands for the response when the information is provided - 'oh! I see, this is how it is...!' the "i" also stands for the human form.
Concept 5. This is a very simple logo inspired by millions of children raising their hands across schools in India, 'Excuse me Sir! I have a question' the fist stands for empowerment enclosed in the ring of good governance.
Concept 6. The government official is overlooking the open file ( the red flaps file symbolic of Government records) and sharing information with the citizens represented by the three circles on the top.
Please indicate your preference in the comments. Suggestions and feedback is most welcome.
Thanks once again.
reflections and collections 
Hi Tarun,
Good set of concepts along with description. according to me my votes are concept 5, 1 and 6 as it has a self explanatory meaning and has properly used both negative and positive space.
However concept 3 is good as per the description, but may have to be tweaked a little to give a more unique form in terms of symbol just like you have done for 5,1 & 6.
keep up 🙂
Regards.
thanks Abinash
I like the concept 5 and 6
thanks deepak
Hello Tarun,
Thaank you for sending me the mail and its more of a kind suggestion/vote from my side here.
I like the concept of the first one but in its form i see a bulb (the white space) and wings (in the black form), which i am sure you can take care as you carry forward with the concept.
Otherwise priority wise my vote goes for concept 3, 2A and 4.
kind regards
vaatika
thanks Vaatika. Point well taken. now that you mentioned, yes it does appear to be a bulb. will work on it
🙂 T
I like 2,5. Actually I love 5
thanks dhriti
🙂 T
Great to hear about your work. I congratulate you on all your good work and accolades coming your way.
I went through the 6 logo designs. You know what, for a lay man like me, the logos did make sense when I read the description written below each by you or else without the description, it becomes difficult to interpret exactly.Pardon my lack of knowledge in the artistic forms and lack of interpretation skills.Yes of course, I liked 1 and 5 as they were simple and easy to interpret (However perhaps these needs to be worked on a bit further.)
For the very same reason I like the one of those from Welsh/UK.
thanks sujay. your feedback (as a lay person) is indeed valuable for me. the logo is also for the lay persons – all alike no?
thanks 🙂
T
underneath mentioned are things that came to my mind at the first glance… first instances so to say…. and r jus suggestions, more like a voting so to say
Visually i found concept 4 to be quite interesting… the integration of two forms and the balanced play of black n white excited me….
concept 2A is interesting but the two black triangles r hard to figure out, instead they look like one black square…
and in concept 1 the question mark looks more like a bulb as mentioned above…
how about looking at the same concept with different elements or incorporating some more elements into it.. like depicting two hands in it, might jus be helpful in depicting the support given by the RTI ppl…
Regards
Sujata
thanks sujata. point well taken. shall surely work on the removing the ‘light bulb feel’
Hi Tarun,
2A seems the most apt to me.
4 is interesting too…but some diagonal element could add more life to it.
Cheers,
swasti
thanks swasti
🙂 T
These are great Tarun!
My preference is concept 4. It responds to the main attributes in brief: Transactions, Transparency and easy to reproduce even by a a painter.
The form is so simple that it is easy to remember for a human mind.
Thanks for sharing!
thanks Ashish
Hi Tarun,
Lovely logos all of them! Thanks for even considering me to give an opinion. In a very basic layman view, I liked concept 1 and 2.
In 1, however, to me the question mark was not obvious. I looked at it and thought I saw the horns of a cow(pardon me for my ignorance). The concept of the raised hand was perfect.. it made complete sense.
In 2, it drove the message of Information straight, but did not touch upon the “right to ” factor so much I think.
I actually really liked the concept of the children raising hands to seek information in a classroom, but did not think the logo made sense for common people like me.
Sorry if none of this made sense.
thanks ekta
Dear Tarun,
Thanks for seeking my opinion. I saw the six designs and did not read the description below — I realized there might be a description below only when I read some of the reader comments.
Take away the context that these logos are for RTI and they could mean anything to a lay person like me. To me, none of them conveyed a right to information or the key themes of transactions, transparency and empowerment.
Sincerely hope my view is of help.
Regards
Venkat
thanks venkat for raising a very pertinent issue in logo design and visual communication in general.
Yes, indeed logos are very very contextual in their existence and often their recall value is build up over a period of time in the mind of general people (or the specific target) with a very controlled and conscious, consistent use across a variety of media.
Can you imagine the logo of Bank of Baroda (the spiky orange ‘B’) or the red and blue inverted ‘U’s of the Union Bank or for that matter the elbows of Canara Bank, when they are used and seen without the full name of the organisation.. It is indeed tricky.
This set of particular logos evolved for the RTI are in their initial stages and would be eventually used with the full name (in different scripts/languages for different states).
thanks for raising this point in the feedback.
regards and cheers
T
Hi Tarun,
Congratulation for this project. I like some of these logo and the most is first one. As mentioned above its look like a bulb, I do agree with this. When I saw at first glance it came to my visual also. The question mark, if the thickness of the lower part can be thin and the dot can be as it is, may give some change in visual. Or the hand can be placed such a way that it will again change the view of bulb. Very interesting and bold form. It is very closer to the cocept, can be understand to any common people either village or urban.
All the best.
Deepak
thanks Deepak.
yes the form of the ‘bulb’ is an aspect we are working on, however on second thoughts, even if the bulb is percieved, it is fine, as the deal of RTI is to enlighten…
shall keep you updated
T
Dear Tarun,
I love your maximum thinking, minimalistic work approach. also thank you for sharing these and asking for my feedback. elated. my order of preference is design 4, 1, 5 and perhaps 6
In 4, you can bring in the question part more on the top shape.
1 shows me a bulb but i guess that can be handled.
5 can it be integrated together? just a simple hand raised to ask a question type. the sheer simplicity and innocence attracts me to it.
6 i like the balance but perhaps too evolved for the mass?
my brief was…react like a layman (coz its for the mass), easy to decipher, instant liking to the form. hope i did justice. sorry if i fumbled.
all the best Tarun!
thanks Arnab for your feedback and wishes.
Shall surely keep you updated
T
My choices are 2 & 5. reason is simple. Being a non entity in your field of expertise….I can yet connect to 2 & 5 without the descriptions below. However, my interpretations are quite different from what it is intended to by the creator!
2- an appeal from the seeker with a hemming of offical undertone , determined to get his/her desired rights….there is a reflection of determination.
5- to me the closed fist stands for a revolution though not clear as to what for( can we look at defining that part) . The bigger hand symolizes to me the guardinan’s(in this case govt?) ensuring within the realm of a set order, justice will be done.
Thanks for sharing this. Will catch you soon offline.
Thanks Soma for your valuable feedback and observations.
T
1 & 5.
The explanation that you provide along with each logo influences and biases one to look at it with your concept and conception. Since the logos will be stand alones, an exercise like this one might be more productive and useful with opinions being given based on nothing but the logos themselves. Don’t know if it is too late for that.
I liked 1, because though it can look like a bulb, the bulb can be considered a sign of light or enlightenment as well. There I go with more words again!!!
Thanks Pankaj.
you have a point here about perceptions.
this is the second round of feedback from people I know to be visually more literate (or trained to be)
the round of feedback/perception gathering, without any explainations was laready done earlier.
cheers
T
i like concept 5.
Great work Tarun,
I liked most of the logos but my preference is on 3 & 6. I am oppose to 2A since it’s every one’s right to have information without filing a application. 6 totally depicts what RTI is and 3 is little creative but probably graspable by strokes of Sun etc.
Good luck
thanks Noopur and Payal for your feedback
🙂
T
Hi Tarun,
Thank for sharing your work with me.
In terms of the directions I like: I like option (1), option (2A) and option (5). Much as I like the simplicity and graphic balance of option (4) I am not sure it is “concrete” enough to be understood easily-especially by non-english speaking people, because its strength lies in its play on the letter “i” – for information and for “i” for self.
For a few more details:
option (1):- A question mark can never go too wrong when it comes to signifying a place to get answers, and a place where questions CAN be asked. Transperancy. However the important “bulb” issue has already been raised, a point worth noting if you do NOT want the bulb there, I thought it actually fit with the idea of “banishing darkness”. [although this is again abstract and could be used by a bulb manufacturer…so the hand and the question mark really put the right spin]
option (2A) :- Although not a “simplified enough” logo, I think it is interesting because it contains a clear idea, almost illustrative. This is vital for audiences who need the visual to communicate, especially if they are non-literate. Nobody can NOT get two basic visual ideas here- a human being – holding some information. Empowerment for sure.
option (5) has a similar [to 2A] feel to it- hands all up etc. I would work a lot on the visual balance in the logo though, there seems a bit much inert white space enclosed in the circle with the hands. [and this is my opinion:a closed, raised fist reminds me of protests and angry demands. always.]
Congratulations on getting such a good and interesting project Tarun!
Best wishes,
Bhakti
Hi bhakti 🙂
thanks for the feedback and the critical suggestions.
T
Dear Tarun,
I received the mail from Shalvi to send a feedback on the logo. I liked the first and second last options the best. Also I wonder if the National emblem can be used along with a concept that might give the logo a solid foundation and integrity. The impact of National emblem on masses is intense and similar on everyone unlike a concept. So I would suggest it should be tried if possible.Also the illiterate or unaware population in India also understands the National symbol so if it can be used it might become very direct and complete in its message.
regards
Rashminder Kaur
Dear Rashminder.
you have brought in a very interesting dimension. thanks for the suggestion
🙂
thanks for sending me these and asking my feedback. Acc. to me concept 3and 5 is suitable.water can be related with transparency, i don’t know much about it,just a small suggestion.
all the very best
thank you Ma’am
🙂
hi tarun,
i liked the 3 option.
I would like to read it as the “rising sun…indicating a new beginning…..the fist indicating the power in the hands of the prolectariat….
it is also easy to reproduce, and the message is not very obtuse.
regards
shubhro
Thanks Shubhro 🙂
Sir Ji,
Definitely the first one, compare to all of them…even wasim likes it…
only one reaction that, it (first one) should be little bit illustrative,
more graphical than symbolic. If this one is approved than form of hand
must be uni-sexual. The most interesting part of it is…is very bold & authoritative and on your face. The essential things of the concept is
coming out very naturally. “Best of Luck” (LFY). Thanks…!!!
thanks RAna and Wasim too.
i like (c) the one with a FIST symbolising People’s Power. it has the intensity appropriately symbolising RTI
love and peace
arvind
Hi bapu,
i feel the concept 5 appeals me the most but seeing it again people must not relate it to congress party symbol(though congress party depicts right hand).
it is quite straight and simple.
the next preference would be concept 4. but a lot may associate it with some kind of paper clip.
I know these are just initial concepts and would be refined further.
Also finally its the client who would decide(not to forget they are babus out there).
regarding other concepts i feel unless one reads the concept it is difficult to decipher.
cheers for the presentation.
best wishes
manke
thanks man
Hi Tarun,
Thanks for seeking suggestions as part of design process.
My preference would have been 1 & 5 in that order. 1st one looks quite promising and appropriate over all to me for many reasons and bulb part of it rather exemplifying the concept as you have described as an response to some other post. Fifth one is also nice but not as promising as first one to me.
Sixth one is not at all suitable with given explanation, if you go deeper in the development of the act there is controversy on whether to share the noting or not. As always the laws & Act are ever evolving but we need not to get wrong just to start with and subscribing to some view point to controversies, dilemma, debate. Third one I don’t know why but did not liked somehow.
Would have like to know your preference selection and also which has been accepted by the client. I am sure you will share the same in your future posts at an appropriate time.
Bhavin Kothari
I like concept 4….there is a certain give and take of information…but, should both be exclamations?
I also like concept 5….it looks very Indian…open fist at the back n in shadow says “I have a question” and closed fist in front says “got the answer”….
Hey Tarun,
I love logo 2, 3 and 5. Though my vote weighs higher towards option 2, because the aam janta will find it a lot easier to understand the thought behind the logo. we must not forget, though that they are the target audience. Visually, two is simple as well as well defined for the audience to understand the meaning without words. I guess that will fulfill the need for the symbol.
Good luck with this and awesome work!
i think concept 2a is the most apt. it also has the authorititative and rights based feel that the RTI does. in the others, i find some or the other message getting conveyed–including one that gives me a COng -I feel. 🙂
thanks shilpa
Hi Tarun,
i liked the concept numbers 2a and 5. 2a because it is simple and useful for villagers or any lay person to identify with and 5 because to me it appears that the hand raised in the background is opaque signifying lack of transparency and the fist in the foreground a symbol of achievement as if the RTI has helped clear the darkness or opacity that was there before!!
Cheers,
Niraj
Hey Tarun,
2 thumbs up for concept 3. I feel the rising sun and open book both speaks volume about an open information sharing scenario and the right to information. Although a fist( band muththi – symbolizes strength ).. so as a suggestion that can be left out.. Again its an individuals’ perception and the way any perosn sees it.
Good Job Tarun!
Hello Tarun
I am entirely a lay man so you could call me general public.
No. one is great.
Next is no. five.
Good Work
Hi Tarun, I feel concept 1 & 2A have potential for communicating to a diverse audience and to me they also seem to convey the feeling of empowerment and gravity of the transaction. cheers !