A Westcountry company was approached and commissioned by officials 3,000 miles away, to create logos for a West African state.
Ivybridge-based Logo Marketing & Design won a contract to produce two new corporate identities for the federal state of Kogi in the central Nigeria.
Known as the Confluence State, Kogi has three main kingdoms within it each with its own ruling head. The aim of the project was to create a united identity for the region, to promote its resources, culture and diversity to a wider world.
The state’s link with the Westcountry agency was the result of a Google search by Nigerian officials for a graphic design agency.
The deal sealed by ‘virtual handshake’ with the two teams communicating via email over a 12 month period and making the occasional long-distance call.
A three-strong Ivybridge team created two logos for Kogi which reflect its shared strength in state education, industry and agriculture sectors. They will be used as brand identities in a number of ways and as official seals and presentation medals.
Anyone involved in a project where a number of parties are involved will be aware of the time it can take for the Is to be dotted and the Ts crossed, before it is signed off. But few agencies can boast of a project that requires the approval of three kings.
“They were lovely people to work with,” said Carol Cowe, who headed Logo’s three-strong team on the project. “There were lots of gaps in between feedback, because it involved three heads of state.”
Speaking on behalf of the Kogi state government, Hussein Wada said: “After looking through the agency’s online portfolio, we were impressed with the quality of work and decided to get a quote.
“The distance gave us some degree of scepticism at first. We have dealt with designers in the past who tend to just ‘do as they are told’.
“In Logo’s case, our discussions were a lot more interactive and detailed. This was very critical to us in delivering the final output, knowing full well that the two final logo designs would be viewed by a large, international audience.”
Logo director Sarah Doney added: “It was important for the Kogi state logo to convey unity, peace, diversity and industry, as it is rich in mineral resources.
“Despite being unable to discuss ideas in person, both sides were pleased with the outcome.”
Established in 1977 by Christopher Bray and Gilly Hancox, Logo has a 20-strong team based at its Ivybridge studio.
Mr Bray said: “Our website allows us to export our design expertise all over the world. We have just rebranded Sanjay, a long established Indian ice cream manufacturer based in Mumbai and we are pitching to build their new website.”
