Designing a logo for FOSS4G 2021 in Buenos Aires

Reading this today you will already know that the FOSS4G event in Calgary had to be cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. But after each FOSS4G is always before the next. This being in Buenos Aires in 2021 is all very exciting. Vamos a Argentina!

While it is hard to wait this long there are now even more chances to get involved. On such opportunity is the annual competition for an event logo.

Please visit the competition page for details and guidelines.

I quite like to wear my conference shirts at events such as London Geomobs or in the office, back when going to the office was still a thing. In previous years I would have been busy working on a presentation or workshop at this time of the year. I always wanted to enter the logo competition though, if only given the time. This could be the year.

First a quick look at all the previous FOSS4G events and their logos. It’s quite a mixed bag and I am sure everyone has their favourites. Personally I like the Boston logo best.

The Boston layout works just so well across different mediums.

What kind of monuments has Buenos Aires to offer though?

Recommendations included the obelisco, the women’s bridge, a metal flower sculpture, the planetarium, and tango. Tango? I can neither dance nor draw well, so that one is out of the question. The metal flower is cool but also hard to draw. Now the planetarium is quite something. Named after Galileo Galilei I couldn’t imagine a better fitting symbol for a geographers’ conference. Plus, my limited Inkscape skills allows me to sketch the principal saucer like features.

Next to the mandatory FOSS4G banner I added the flag of Buenos Aires province, the sun face from the flag of Argentina, the city’s coat of arms, and the southern cross.

I especially liked the dove from the coat of arms as a representation of the free / libre principle in open source projects.

But now I had some big decision to make…

I am fairly happy with two of my designs, even though I couldn’t place the dove without overloading the design. Here is were you come in. Any feedback prior to me submitting either or both designs will help me a lot.

Which do you like best and why?

Thanks again for your time and thank you for supporting free and open source software 4 geography.