The Knesset is using its website to promote its project seeking to attract graphic artists and designers to submit recommendations for a new logo for Israel’s parliament. It appears Knesset officials feel it is time for a change since the design of the former logo in 1949. The current logo was designed by the Shamir brothers, Maxim and Gavriel.

According to media reports, Yoram, Gavriel’s son, is not pleased to hear of the planned change, explaining there are countries that use the same logo for hundreds of years. He feels the state should not make a change.

However, the Knesset feels the new logo must reflect new times, including the message of Knesset accessibility to all.

The following message appeared on the Knesset website on Sunday, 9 Cheshvan 5774.

There will be a competition among students all over Israel to create a new graphic; the public will vote and participate in the decision. Speaker of the Knesset: We place a great amount of import on this project

A joint project between the Knesset and the Government Publications Office:

Creating a new font for the legislative body. The font will be used on the logo, the slogan, the letterhead, the business cards, the website and the mobile app of the Knesset among other things. It was decided that the national symbol (the menorah and olive branches) will be incorporated into the designs. The new design will emphasize that the Knesset is accessible to the public and that it is a place for all points of view from within the Israeli public.

The Knesset has turned to design schools throughout Israel and requested from the students to take part in the competition and to submit their proposals. Additionally, The Knesset will take out ads in newspapers in order to ensure full transparency and equality. Starting from Monday, the complete rules of the competition will be publicized on the Knesset website.

After the period of during which one may submit entries is over, a public committee consisting of leaders in the field of design, MKs and senior Knesset workers will review the designs. The members of the committee will select three finalists who will all receive awards. The public will then be able to vote for their favorite design. The final decision will be presented before the public committee and to the Speaker of the Knesset Yuli Edelstein.

Any design student in any academic institution can make a submission to the competition. Every submission will be totally anonymous both from the committee and the public.

The competition will begin with the start of the 2013-2014 school year and will continue for four months. The Knesset will have an open house for design students during which there will be presentations regarding the competition, workshops and tours of the Knesset building.

Speaker of the Knesset, Yuli Edelstein, said that he is placing a great amount of import on the project: “The time has come for the Knesset to find a way to express its uniqueness and relevance to every citizen in the country. This competition has a great educational value, and it is my intention to take a personal part in the meeting that will be held with the hundreds of students who will come to the Knesset.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)