John Fairley: A Symbol of ‘Interconnected Fate And Cultural Diversity’
In December 2023, the Chengdu 2025 Local Organizing Committee (LOC) initiated an international contest to create the logo, mascot and slogan of The World Games 2025. Worldwide contributions ran until the end of February 2024. The winning logo design is by award-winning designer John Fairley. Fairley Graphic, the creative persona for the veteran graphic designer, art director and creative director, is based in Sydney, Australia; he has over two decades of global design experience and a career leading branding projects at several international creative agencies.
Fairley explains that the logo is inspired by iconic Chinese symbols. The top incorporates the facial features of the giant panda and reflects the history and culture of Chengdu as the host city, and the Sichuan Province where Chengdu is located. The center of the logo represents the Chinese knot which symbolizes unity, prosperity, and luck, reflecting the core values of The World Games. In addition, the overall design is inspired by the hibiscus flower, Chengdu’s city flower, which blends with the panda and the knot, showcasing the city’s charm and traditional elements. Finally, the emblem seeks to achieve a balanced and harmonious color scheme by using cool colors vertically and warm colors horizontally. This seeks to create a sense of depth and coordination among the five colors: red, yellow, green, black, and white.
States Fairley: “The arrangement of these geometric elements not only signifies the interconnected fate of humanity, but also underscores respect for cultural diversity across nations. This balance between individuality and mutual respect finds its purest expression in the sporting arena.” The mascot and slogan will be officially unveiled at a ‘One Year to Go’ event in August 2024.
