Branding a public entity is always a tough sell. Citizens either revere an old, often outdated brand, or there never was a real system in place. Then there’s the question of cost.
When the Galway City Council set out to rebrand itself, there was indeed a cumbersome brand in place already, and of course, budget had to be respected. In addition, they faced the challenge of including both Irish and English languages.
Their solution is not only elegantly bilingual, but it refers to the city’s history and gives a respectful nod to the old logo. The new, very spare logo includes a lot of information: the tail of the stylized “g” takes on the shape of the ship’s hull that is featured in the city’s coat-of-arms. The upper bowl of the “g” mimics seanchló, the stylized alphabet used to write or print the Irish language. The bowl also has the same shape as a fáinne, a small circular pin worn to show a person’s fluency in and willingness to speak the Irish language.
It’s also not a stretch to see how the cupped bottom of the new “g” seems to support and protect its top. And imagining a smiling face is not out of the question.
