Canadians have funded a new logo for Dnipropetrovsk

The city’s authorities have announced the results of a logo development contest. Over 5,000 Dnipropetrovsk residents discussed the competing projects. Almost a third of them voted in favor of a heart-like design including a picture of the rocket take-off, The Towers elite residential complex, Merefa-Kherson bridge across the Dnipro and art installation The Sun from Interpipe Steel plant. These symbols of modern Dnipropetrovsk are to be accompanied by the slogan “Being New Every Day.”

The head of the international relations at Dnipropetrovsk City Council Natalia Chernyshova told us that the logo discussion was held on the city’s websites for a fortnight with four designs on display. The multi-colored stylized heart-like design proved to be the most popular among residents of the city and will be presented for approval at the September session of the city council. However, the authorities think that the logo can be improved by adding other iconic structures, such as the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral, the city’s first edifice. “We hope that the councilors will support the citizenry’s choice,” Chernyshova said.

Overall, the city’s leadership believes that the designed logo is consistent with Dnipropetrovsk’s declared image. “Two lines of red and blue form the heart, standing for metallurgy and rocket industry. This color combination produces a positive attitude in the viewer, while the heart itself represents the residents’ love for the city,” a creative agency’s director Tetiana Barska said.

The authorities explain that Dnipropetrovsk brand creation project is just the first stage of the effort to promote a positive image of the city. After developing the logo and slogan, the city will compile a so-called brand-book with recommendations on their use. It should be a handbook describing terms of logo use in print media, billboards, transportation, TV, and so on.

According to Chernyshova, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities is providing support for Dnipropetrovsk logo development effort under its Ukraine Municipal Local Economic Development Program. The main objective of this project is to develop a complete strategy, involving city brand development, various promotion events, investment attraction program development, creation of a roadmap for potential investors and an investment passport. The international relations department of Dnipropetrovsk City Council states that so far, few Ukrainian regional capitals have official brands. Dnipropetrovsk has already tried to develop its own logo. Some city councilors tried to do it with public funding in 2012, but their design met with sharp criticism and failed to get approval of the council.