Achievement
I’m proud and humbled to be selected among the top 4 finalists out of more than 1,500 submissions for the Sweden–Ethiopia 80 Years of Friendship logo competition.
Being shortlisted at this level was an honor, especially for a project rooted in cultural storytelling, craft, and intentional design.
Project Overview
Theme: 80 Years of Sweden–Ethiopia Friendship
Objective: Create a timeless symbol that represents collaboration, cultural exchange, and shared progress without relying on flags or literal national symbols.
The challenge was not decoration. It was meaning. The logo needed to feel human, balanced, and forward-looking while respecting two very different design traditions.
Core Idea
The concept is built on weaving.
Weaving exists in both cultures, but in very different forms. That shared logic became the bridge.
The number 80 is not treated as text. It becomes a woven form, where structure and craft meet.
Two traditions. One symbol.
Design Logic
Ethiopia
Ethiopian weave patterns represent heritage, handcraft, and unity.
They carry generations of knowledge and community.
In the design, this appears as:
- Slightly angled threads
- Organic rhythm
- Inspiration from Meskel basket weaving
This side introduces warmth and cultural depth.
Sweden
Swedish textile design represents structure, innovation, and precision.
It reflects modern systems built with clarity and restraint.
In the design, this appears as:
- Orthogonal grid logic
- Clean alignment
- Controlled spacing
This side brings balance and discipline.
Symbolism
The interwoven 80 becomes a living metaphor.
Not two symbols placed side by side, but threads crossing and supporting each other.
It communicates:
- Long-term collaboration
- Mutual respect
- Progress built together
The story is quiet, not loud. Elegant, not forced.
Visual Construction Guide
- Left side (Ethiopia):
Slightly angled threads inspired by traditional basket weaving. - Right side (Sweden):
Structured grid referencing Scandinavian textile patterns. - Intersection:
Subtle and intentional.
No obvious flag imagery.
The fusion is shown through form, not color symbolism.
The goal was to let design thinking do the talking.
Outcome
The final logo feels:
- Human
- Timeless
- Culturally grounded
- Contemporary
A symbol that honors 80 years of friendship while remaining relevant for the future.