Celebrating Odisha: Identity Design for Odisha Design Week Wins India’s Best Design Project Award 2023

The project, Odisha Design Week (ODW), a brainchild of the Odisha Design Council (ODC), is a trailblazing event and the first of its kind to be held in Odisha. It aims to bridge the gap between the state’s rich cultural heritage and contemporary design practices.

Capturing Odisha’s Essence

Creating a visual identity for an international design festival like Odisha Design Week (ODW) presented unique challenges. Odisha, known for its vast and rich culture, medieval temple architecture, and a wide range of crafts and textiles, required a visual representation that was simple yet contemporary, reflecting the depth of its heritage. The identity needed to be instantly recognisable, evoking a sense of pride and connection among the locals while appealing to an international audience.

Crafting the Perfect Symbol

After extensive exploration, the design team narrowed down their choices to a graphic representation of the iconic temple arch, ‘Mukteswar.’ This symbol effectively connects the visual identity to Odisha’s cultural and architectural heritage. Inspired by the popular local applique craft from Pipili, the design incorporated a visual language that resonated with both the local and international audience. The typography, developed from geometric shapes aligned with this visual vocabulary, ensured consistency and a contemporary appeal.

Impact and Recognition

The final design has been widely appreciated by both the design community and the people, nationally as well as internationally. It successfully fulfils its purpose, being both heavy with cultural significance and deep in its visual impact. The identity has been applied across various media, highlighting its versatility and effectiveness.

Memorable Branding for a Global Stage

ODW, the shorter version of the main visual identity, has quickly become a highly recognisable event attracting participants and visitors from all over India and beyond. With its strong visual identity and memorable branding, Odisha Design Week stands out as a celebration of creativity and innovation. From its vibrant logo to its colourful promotional materials, ODW encapsulates the spirit of Odisha’s rich cultural heritage, making it an unmissable event on the global design calendar.

Credit: DesignAnswers LLP