A new logo to be used to market Cardiff on the international stage is aimed at ditching the "stereotype" of daffodils and dragons associated with the area.
A new logo to be used to market Cardiff on the international stage is aimed at ditching the "stereotype" of daffodils and dragons associated with the area.
Promoters say the brand, made-up of multi-coloured discs encircling the city's name, will mark Cardiff out as a "progressive" place to live and visit.
Promoters say the brand, made-up of multi-coloured discs encircling the city's name, will mark Cardiff out as a "progressive" place to live and visit.
The £45,000 design was being unveiled in front of politicians and business leaders at the Wales Millennium Centre.
The £45,000 design was being unveiled in front of politicians and business leaders at the Wales Millennium Centre.
Cardiff & Co said it was a brand people in the city would be proud of.
Cardiff & Co said it was a brand people in the city would be proud of.
The public-private body that promotes the city said it had cost £45,000 to develop, launch and incorporate into its marketing.
The public-private body that promotes the city said it had cost £45,000 to develop, launch and incorporate into its marketing.
The colours of the logo, the city's first, are meant to represent the colours of the city, including the waterfront and parks.
But some readers of the BBC News website have likened it to a "spilled bag of tiddlywinks", Smarties, the old BT logo or a dial from an old fashioned telephone.
Chairman Bill Savage said it would help Cardiff stand out from other capital cities.
Chairman Bill Savage said it would help Cardiff stand out from other capital cities.
"We are confident that we have created a distinctive brand for Cardiff that has the potential to give the Welsh capital a competitive advantage that will stand out on the world stage.
"We are confident that we have created a distinctive brand for Cardiff that has the potential to give the Welsh capital a competitive advantage that will stand out on the world stage.
"The place brand is a banner under which the city can rally to spread our message to the world - our ambitious, young capital can compete with the great cities of the world as a place to live, work, visit, invest and study.
"The place brand is a banner under which the city can rally to spread our message to the world - our ambitious, young capital can compete with the great cities of the world as a place to live, work, visit, invest and study.
"The brand has been developed after extensive research and consultation to ensure that it is a tool which the people of Cardiff will be proud to use."
"The brand has been developed after extensive research and consultation to ensure that it is a tool which the people of Cardiff will be proud to use."
The colours of the logo, the city's first, are meant to represent the colours of the city, including the waterfront and parks.
Some readers of the BBC News website have likened it to a "spilled bag of tiddlywinks", Smarties, the old BT logo or a dial from an old fashioned telephone.
Tell us what you think of Cardiff's new logo and we'll publish a selection of your comments. Use the form below:
Tell us what you think of Cardiff's new logo and we'll publish a selection of your comments. Use the form below:
It looks like the dial from an old analogue telephone - hardly the 'ambitious' & 'young' image that Cardiff wants to project!?AH, Herts, UK
It looks like the dial from an old analogue telephone - hardly the 'ambitious' & 'young' image that Cardiff wants to project!?AH, Herts, UK
The only thing this logo is missing is the letters Plc. It looks like a bland corporate logo. If we must 'brand' the place we live, then something with a bit more life to it would be nice. Something which actually links the logo to the place it's meant to represent would be even better. AW, Cardiff, Wales
The only thing this logo is missing is the letters Plc. It looks like a bland corporate logo. If we must 'brand' the place we live, then something with a bit more life to it would be nice. Something which actually links the logo to the place it's meant to represent would be even better. AW, Cardiff, Wales
Typical, the English 'Cardiff' is inside the circle and part of the team and the Welsh 'Caerdydd' is outside in the cold as an unwelcome addition or afterthought ie a token bit of Welshness as usual.JJW, Somersham, England
Typical, the English 'Cardiff' is inside the circle and part of the team and the Welsh 'Caerdydd' is outside in the cold as an unwelcome addition or afterthought ie a token bit of Welshness as usual.JJW, Somersham, England
Dear Oh Dear! 8 chocolate Smarties! I'll stick with Daffodils & Dragons. Julian, Newport Wales
Dear Oh Dear! 8 chocolate Smarties! I'll stick with Daffodils & Dragons. Julian, Newport Wales
Right... Okay, so they have left out our national symbols. And this is supposed to be the Capitol of our nation, can someone please explain this. What a waste of cash. And could Welsh be first please Diolch.Stiwart Edwards, Oxford
Right... Okay, so they have left out our national symbols. And this is supposed to be the Capitol of our nation, can someone please explain this. What a waste of cash. And could Welsh be first please Diolch.Stiwart Edwards, Oxford
Looking at that... I think daffodils and dragons would have been a good idea!Louis Fellows, Penarth, Vale of Glam.
Looking at that... I think daffodils and dragons would have been a good idea!Louis Fellows, Penarth, Vale of Glam.
I'm afraid I don't like the new brand at all. It leaves alot of questions unanswered, what was the reasoning behind the typefaces used?, and more importantly why the shape? I don't see that it reflects Cardiff at all. You could change the text and add any city name. It's quite an anonymous brand which does nothing to put Cardiff in a new positive light.Robin, Cardiff, Wales
I'm afraid I don't like the new brand at all. It leaves alot of questions unanswered, what was the reasoning behind the typefaces used?, and more importantly why the shape? I don't see that it reflects Cardiff at all. You could change the text and add any city name. It's quite an anonymous brand which does nothing to put Cardiff in a new positive light.Robin, Cardiff, Wales
That logo says absolutely nothing about Cardiff. What a waste of money.Amanda, Cardiff
That logo says absolutely nothing about Cardiff. What a waste of money.Amanda, Cardiff
It would have been great to see a theme that reflected the sea; the hills; the new skyline but this just reminds me of an old BT logo. For a much smaller fee, I'm sure the local nursery schools could have come up with something better. Stephen Davies, Ebbw Vale, Wales
It would have been great to see a theme that reflected the sea; the hills; the new skyline but this just reminds me of an old BT logo. For a much smaller fee, I'm sure the local nursery schools could have come up with something better. Stephen Davies, Ebbw Vale, Wales
I am saddened to see this old logo mark being recycled yet again. As a designer I can let you know that this design and variations of it (dots in a perspective circle) have been used (and rejected by the more design savvy client) over and over again over the last 10-15 years. Sara, London
I am saddened to see this old logo mark being recycled yet again. As a designer I can let you know that this design and variations of it (dots in a perspective circle) have been used (and rejected by the more design savvy client) over and over again over the last 10-15 years. Sara, London
What's wrong with daffodils and dragons? The article says that these are already associated with Cardiff then it already has a 'logo' which is recognised! The money would be better spent on the Health Service or Education to name just a few.A M Hunt, Swansea, Wales
What's wrong with daffodils and dragons? The article says that these are already associated with Cardiff then it already has a 'logo' which is recognised! The money would be better spent on the Health Service or Education to name just a few.A M Hunt, Swansea, Wales
"Extensive research and consultation"? Whom do these people actually go and ask? Is this the decade for bland, meaningless logos (such as the London Olympics one)? Personally I think it's just the designers getting bored with designing to what people like and recognise. I *really* doubt that the general population was consulted in a meaningful way. The city, waterfront and parks indeed, it's spilled bag of tiddlywinks.F, Glasgow
"Extensive research and consultation"? Whom do these people actually go and ask? Is this the decade for bland, meaningless logos (such as the London Olympics one)? Personally I think it's just the designers getting bored with designing to what people like and recognise. I *really* doubt that the general population was consulted in a meaningful way. The city, waterfront and parks indeed, it's spilled bag of tiddlywinks.F, Glasgow
Bland, boring, unimaginative, predictable - looks like a failed art student designed it in 5 minutes! Why English inside and Welsh outside? Looks and sounds like a lot of post rationalization and marketing mumbo jumbo to me. Another missed opportunity - maybe the same people who designed our SHOCKING olympics logo did this one too!!!!!!!!!!Dyfed Richards, USA
Bland, boring, unimaginative, predictable - looks like a failed art student designed it in 5 minutes! Why English inside and Welsh outside? Looks and sounds like a lot of post rationalization and marketing mumbo jumbo to me. Another missed opportunity - maybe the same people who designed our SHOCKING olympics logo did this one too!!!!!!!!!!Dyfed Richards, USA
The new logo isn't especially /bad/, but it doesn't help Cardiff stand out from dozens of other cities; it might've looked original ten years ago, but that font and style is pretty ubiquitous these days. Yes, daffodils and dragons might be stereotypes, but they're also an established and recognisable brand...TI, London
The new logo isn't especially /bad/, but it doesn't help Cardiff stand out from dozens of other cities; it might've looked original ten years ago, but that font and style is pretty ubiquitous these days. Yes, daffodils and dragons might be stereotypes, but they're also an established and recognisable brand...TI, London
That really have tested some of the greatest minds in logo design. It looks more like the Logo for a paint manufacturer or a printing company. Besides the way Cardiff is looking at the moment I think scaffolding would be more indicative of its "progressive" nature than coloured disks! Yes I am sure residents of Cardiff will feel their pride swell at the mere sight of that completely irrelevant piece of art work.Alex, Swansea
That really have tested some of the greatest minds in logo design. It looks more like the Logo for a paint manufacturer or a printing company. Besides the way Cardiff is looking at the moment I think scaffolding would be more indicative of its "progressive" nature than coloured disks! Yes I am sure residents of Cardiff will feel their pride swell at the mere sight of that completely irrelevant piece of art work.Alex, Swansea
I really hope this is a joke. Absolutely rubbish. I can't think of anything good to say about it at all. And people complained that the Olympic symbol was bad... poor Cardiff!Dan, Swansea and London
I really hope this is a joke. Absolutely rubbish. I can't think of anything good to say about it at all. And people complained that the Olympic symbol was bad... poor Cardiff!Dan, Swansea and London
Cardiff, Caerdydd - so good they named it twice?Michael Sandy, Swansea, Wales
Cardiff, Caerdydd - so good they named it twice?Michael Sandy, Swansea, Wales
I think this logo is pretty good. The London Olympics logo is very clever because now everyone recognises it and this one may go the same way. It's best to steer clear of dragons and daffodils, they are so over-used.RAndrews, Cardiff, Wales
I think this logo is pretty good. The London Olympics logo is very clever because now everyone recognises it and this one may go the same way. It's best to steer clear of dragons and daffodils, they are so over-used.RAndrews, Cardiff, Wales
What have smarties got to do with Cardiff?Clare, Cardiff
What have smarties got to do with Cardiff?Clare, Cardiff
I haven't Seen any pink & purple parks in cardiff lately? Awful Logo, so plain & boring!Andrew Tilley, Cogan, Vale of Glamorgan
I haven't Seen any pink & purple parks in cardiff lately? Awful Logo, so plain & boring!Andrew Tilley, Cogan, Vale of Glamorgan
Is somebody pulling my leg? The council paid an agency £45,000 to write "Cardiff" in a free stock font, then draw some circles!? This should have gone out as a public competition - let the people of Cardiff propose some ideas, then vote on it - at least we could then feel some ownership for it. What (another) waste of my taxes!Rob V, Cardiff
Good thing the BBC reminded me it was April the 1st with this story as it has to be an April Fool's prank! Very funny......err, hang on. It's Fabruary! What in the world is up with these Marketing logos? They didn't get the London Olympics right, now they get this wrong. How is this in the least bit individual to Cardiff, or indeed Wales. Likely this was created by an England-based marketing company that have never been to Wales and thus don't appreciate how much we are proud of our national symbols. Next they'll be changing the symbols on our Welsh Rugby shirts to smilies!?!Stephen, Caerphilly
Good thing the BBC reminded me it was April the 1st with this story as it has to be an April Fool's prank! Very funny......err, hang on. It's Fabruary! What in the world is up with these Marketing logos? They didn't get the London Olympics right, now they get this wrong. How is this in the least bit individual to Cardiff, or indeed Wales. Likely this was created by an England-based marketing company that have never been to Wales and thus don't appreciate how much we are proud of our national symbols. Next they'll be changing the symbols on our Welsh Rugby shirts to smilies!?!Stephen, Caerphilly
I don't consider daffodils and dragons to be sterotypes, but it should be regarded as a part of our national heritage that we should be proud of. Claiming it to be a sterotype is just a poor excuse to just unveil a highly uncreative logo that is just a waste of money. Anthony , Cardiff
I don't consider daffodils and dragons to be sterotypes, but it should be regarded as a part of our national heritage that we should be proud of. Claiming it to be a sterotype is just a poor excuse to just unveil a highly uncreative logo that is just a waste of money. Anthony , Cardiff
My ten year old daughter could have made a better logo for a couple of pounds pocket money, what a waste of public money and it looks like wales is following england in ditching anything to do with national identity, what next the welsh rugby team wearing muti coloured shirts? looks like the politically correct gang have won again.Dale, Chester
My ten year old daughter could have made a better logo for a couple of pounds pocket money, what a waste of public money and it looks like wales is following england in ditching anything to do with national identity, what next the welsh rugby team wearing muti coloured shirts? looks like the politically correct gang have won again.Dale, Chester
£45,000 for what? A bland, boring logo which says nothing whatsoever about Cardiff. What's it supposed to mean? It's also very dated and not, the image Cardiff would want to portray. Bill Savage is labouring under a huge misapprehension if he thinks this will do anything to make Cardiff stand out - except as a laughing stock perhaps. I attend & exhibit at various events aimed at getting conferences and visitors into the UK - I won't want to be anywhere near the Cardiff stand when this one goes live! Liz Gardiner, Caerwent, Monmouthshire
£45,000 for what? A bland, boring logo which says nothing whatsoever about Cardiff. What's it supposed to mean? It's also very dated and not, the image Cardiff would want to portray. Bill Savage is labouring under a huge misapprehension if he thinks this will do anything to make Cardiff stand out - except as a laughing stock perhaps. I attend & exhibit at various events aimed at getting conferences and visitors into the UK - I won't want to be anywhere near the Cardiff stand when this one goes live! Liz Gardiner, Caerwent, Monmouthshire
Daffodils and dragons may be a stereotype, but it's a well loved stereotype and one people are generally proud of! That new logo is DULL DULL DULL - not the impression we want to be giving of Cardiff!! £45K?! What a joke!! ClareH, Caaaaaaardiff
I like it....David Hawes, Aberystwyth (work in Cardiff)
Reminiscent of the BT logo from the 1980s - and not in a good way. This says nothing about Cardiff and nothing about Wales. Anyone who knows anything about the power of brand, knows that recognition of that brand and its values is key to success. Dragons and daffodils may be traditional but people associate them with Wales. I find it very hard to believe that there is not a progressive, modern marketing company out there able to give a modern twist to these traditional images. It's as if they are ashamed of the Welsh heritage (or sterotype as they call it) which takes us backwards and not forwards in promoting Wales as a modern, cosmopolitan city. We should not be ashamed of our heritage, we should celebrate it. Wales has an identity, why are they trying to whitewash it behind a bland logo?Kirstie, Bristol
