“Happy U” consists of colored dots of varying size. Each dot is deemed a logo element, the meaning of which is open to different interpretations. The dot can be enlarged, reduced, concentrated or evolved into myriads of things or patterns, therefore carrying a rich variety of meanings. It tries to convey the message that the Universiade is a carnival gathering for university students from around the world. As innovation is the hallmark of the city of Shenzhen, the Executive Office of the Organizing Committee for Shenzhen Summer Universiade is committed to presenting a brand-new emblem distinguishing the Universiade from other international sports meetings. While communicating powerful messages about the city, the Universiade, the youth and the life, the emblem embraces diversity and innovation and is open to different interpretations.
U is rich in meanings. It may stand for “university”, “you”, “union”, “universe” or other words, or be taken as a graphical mark representing bays in the city, Dapeng Bay for example, suggesting a happy reunion of college students of different races and colors from the five continents. The semicircular mark implies simultaneously openness and inclusiveness. U may be understood in six different ways, including a happy U (suggesting beautiful colors, liveliness, energy, and the theme of happy reunion of the youth from different parts of the world), an open U ( consisting of dots in five different colors, the simple yet powerful mark is rich in meanings), an inclusive U ( the colored dots evolve into smiling faces, balloons, garlands and drops of moisture); a youthful U (evolving into different sports-related images, to be used for the different sports of the Universiade), a cosmopolitan U ( the variedly colored and sized dots indicate a gathering of people of different races and colors), and a futuristic U (a forward-looking design projecting the Shenzhen edition of the Universiade in an innovative way).
Unlike previous pictographic designs for emblems, the emblem for Shenzhen Summer Universiade features dots which, when partitioned, separated or combined into different forms, can still fully represent and identify the image to be conveyed. Its openness to a wide range of interpretations implies the host city’s vitality and inclusiveness. The design is highly praised by the expert panel.
