Bruneian's Entry Selected As Asean's Anniversary Logo
By Sonia K

Bandar Seri Begawan - A Bruneian designer's entry has been selected by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) as the logo for its 40th anniversary.

Asean will turn 40 on August 8, 2007.

The winning logo was submitted by Haji Othman bin Haji Salleh. The designer explained that the number "40" incorporated into the logo design gives a clear representation of Asean's 40th anniversary. The two sharp points of the "4" meet in a manner to symbolise Asean's harmonious and key role in the progress and development of a dynamic Asia.

According to a press release, the selection was conducted through a region-wide competition. Nationallevel contests to design the logo for Asean (hereafter referred to as the Asean40 logo) were organised by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the 10 Asean Member Countries and the national winners went on to compete at a regional final that took place at the end of January this year.

The winning logo also alludes to the "heart" of a resilient, caring and sharing Asean Community. Through the use of the official Asean colours of blue (peace, stability), red (courage, dynamism), white (purity) and yellow (prosperity), and the Asean emblem, the 40', Anniversary logo reflects the goals and values that are fundamental to Asean and is an expression of Asean's ambition of becoming one community.

A delighted Haji Othman received official word of his win February 13 from Asean Secretary-General Ong Keng Yong.

"Winning this prestigious competition is a source of pride for the nation," he said. "I am very glad and honoured to be chosen as the winner," he added.

When he first heard of the contest he did not think about taking part. But after getting strong encouragement from his wife and a close friend, the designer decided to give the contest a shot.

Not surprisingly, given the key role that his wife played, he was quick to thank her for her support and encouragement.

The judging panel at the regional final included Tan Sri Ajit Singh and Rodolfo Severino, both former SecretariesGeneral of Asean, as well as Ong Keng Yong, the current Secretary-General.

The judges took into consideration several factors, namely: the logo's visual impact its expression of the 40`" Anniversary theme, One Asean at the Heart of Dynamic Asia; the aesthetics of the logo design; and the practicality and "functionality" of the logo (eg scalability).

A veteran with some 30 years of design experience under his belt, Haji Othman recalled having to work under serious time pressure given his decision to enter the contest only at a late stage. Because he wanted to have a good understanding of "the essence of Asean" before starting to design the logo, he spent some time doing research at the Asean website, even as the deadline loomed.

He found his inspiration in the Asean emblem and the tagline, Ten Nations One Community. "I feel they (emblem and tagline) strongly reflect a stable, peaceful and prosperous Asean where nations are bonded together in development, at the heart of a dynamic Asia," he said.

Art and design have been a large part of Haji Othman's life. He studied art in school and began his career as a designer in 1977 in Radio Television Brunei. He is currently a senior designer at Brunei's Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. He is convinced that artistic and creative people in both the visual and performing arts can play an important role in the comprehensive development of nations. He also feels that art has a place in the Asean Community and supports projects such as the Asean Creative Artistes Interaction and the Asean Dance Festival as away to foster a spirit of regional and international cooperation.

"The arts showcase the diversity of Asean and artistic expression can be a strong impetus for promoting greater understanding and friendship among the Asean member countries," he said.

Throughout 2007, as he sees the logo that he created displayed across the region during Asean's 40th Anniversary, Haji Othman can take heart that his own artistic contribution will be bringing about greater awareness and understanding of Asean within the region.

The Asean40 logo will be used to brand events and activities that are held to commemorate Asean's 40" Anniversary throughout 2007. Any party that is interested in using the Asean40 logo would need to apply for permission from the appropriate authorities or visit www.aseansec.org for more details. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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