Austin Forever
Check out Austin's new official logo, honoring the city's 175th anniversary
In honor of her 175th anniversary, local advertising powerhouse GSD&M has unveiled a new logo for our fair city. All we can say is ... Austin looks really good for 175.
GSD&M Associate Design Director Ben Harman recently gave some insight into the creative endeavor. "When faced with the daunting task of consolidating all of Austin into a logo, you begin by asking yourself some questions: When you celebrate 175 years of Austin, what are you celebrating? What represents Austin? Is it a place, like Barton Springs? Or an event, like a music festival? Is it an attitude, like keeping weird? Maybe a bat? Bats are weird," Harman said.
Despite the hemming and hawing, GSD&M creatives eventually zeroed in on one thing. "It’s not really about what represents Austin — it’s about what Austin represents," said Harman. "And Austin represents Texas. Austin is Texas. If any city is deep in the heart of Texas, it’s Austin. Geographically, politically, emotionally."
As an anniversary gift of sorts, GSD&M has donated the design to the City of Austin. If you're enamored with the logo (and we certainly are), you can order a limited edition T-shirt courtesy of the Austin Parks Foundation. T-shirts are $30 and can be purchased here. Proceeds go to the Austin Parks Foundation.