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Des Moines adopts blue sailboat logo after committee debate on font, color and layout
Summary
After deliberation on color, type and layout, the City Council selected a simplified blue sailboat as Des Moines’ new logo and approved a navy/light‑blue palette and a sans/open font.
Administrative Services Director Bonnie Wilkins presented logo concepts to the Des Moines City Council at its May 1 study session, outlining public and council input on palette, typography and motif options.
What the council decided: After discussion and several procedural votes, the council narrowed design choices to a blue sailboat motif (staff’s Concept 1 palette) with a sans/open font (staff used Concept 7 font in navy). In a final vote to select the top‑left design option presented, the council voted 4‑3 to adopt the chosen blue sailboat logo. The council asked staff and the graphic designer to finalize art files and prepare a rollout plan that retains the selected navy/blue palette and simplified motif (no sunset), and to keep the mark readable across print, web and embroidered merchandise.
Why it matters: The city’s visual identity is used across letterhead, signage, vehicles, uniforms and merchandise; the council balanced brand recognition with readability for print and embroidery when choosing color, font weight and the removal of a sunset option earlier in the process.
Key details and process notes: - Staff recommendation: the consultant recommended a navy/light‑blue palette tied to the city’s waterfront identity; staff presented nine concepts and appendices of alternate palettes and mockups on letterhead and apparel. - Council choices: members debated color (blue vs. alternatives), font weight (thicker vs. open sans), and whether the boat should be slightly off‑center to convey motion; several votes refined the font and color before the final logo vote. - Final vote: Council adopted the logo (top‑left blue sailboat variant) in a 4‑3 vote; staff will finalize files and return with implementation details for signage and materials.
Attribution: Presentation and concept overview by Bonnie Wilkins, Director of Administrative Services; council input came from Councilmember Nutting, Deputy Mayor Steinmetz, Councilmember Mahoney, Councilmember Ochsiger, Councilmember Grace Matsui and Councilmember Harris.
