Designed by: Zoi Vasileiou and Natalia Stalchenko
You've probably heard about the Worklife Utopia Conference organized on the 10th of November 2021. Most likely, you have seen our posts, emails, or Instagram stories, which are all accompanied by a simple, yet elegant and recognizable logo. You might be wondering, what message does it convey? In this post, we are proud to reveal the meaning behind our mindfully and carefully crafted logo and share with you the great ideas that have emerged in the process of designing it.
Let's start with the three turquoise central elements of the logo. Clearly, we can define three equilateral triangles, or pyramids, forming the base of the logo. This base represents the pyramid of priorities in life, the goal setting, and where we stand. An equilateral triangle is a perfect representation of equality, having exact same angles and same lengths of the sides. In a hypothetical perfect world, equality results in equal opportunities and equal outcomes. However, our life is not hypothetical. In a worklife utopia, we want to focus on equity, which recognizes individual diversity and pursues a just outcome. The non-linear placement of the equilateral triangles emphasises the contrast between equality and equity, hinting on the fact that equal opportunities require equitable solutions.
In addition, if you find this turquoise triangle familiar, then you are not mistaken! The exact coloured equilateral triangle in the form of a pencil tip is incorporated in the logo of OSA, which is the student organization that has initiated and co-organized the conference together with Condus.
Furthermore, the combination of the three triangles represents the importance of teamwork and cooperation in the working life. Worklife, especially in the field of education, takes place in a team. This is the reason why the triangles in the design are put together in a group, forming the letter "W", which stands for the word "Worklife."
Now, you might have already guessed which element forms the second word in the title of the conference. The semicircle, or the letter "U", standing for "Utopia," emphasizes the hope in making the "Worklife Utopia" a reality where everyone is willing to cooperate and work towards equity. The three yellow arches are like rocking seesaws placed on the tips of the triangles, emphasising the struggle of finding our own peace and balance in the working life. Just as the three elements in the logo, each individual is unique, each has their own strengths, beliefs, and priorities, yet we all come together to work as a team. In fact, we believe that our strength is in diversity and teamwork.
Last but not least, the final element of the design is the circle, which comes to complete the depiction of a human, who is in balance, hopeful, and anticipating the best. With this element, the logo is proudly bringing out the role of Condus as a co-organizer, whose logo also contains a yellow arch and a person in the centre of the design.
The orange circle can also be seen as a bright sun rising above the misty mountains and reflecting its light across the sky, promising a better and a more realistic Working life Utopia!
Worklife Utopia Conference, Nov. 10th 2021
More information about the conference and the registration link can be found on OSA's webpage: https://blogs.helsinki.fi/onestepahead/activities/past-projects/
About the authors
Natalia Stalchenko is a master's student of the Changing Education programme and a research assistant at the Faculty of Educational Sciences at the University of Helsinki. She specializes in early childhood education and has experience working in the field in Finland. Her main goal is to promote children’s well-being and healthy development through education and contribute to implementing research-based theory into practice.
Having a background in early childhood education and more than ten years of working experience in the field, Zoi Vasileiou is currently a master's student in the programme Changing Education. Her aim has always been to provide children with the essential tools for personal, emotional, and social development and for reaching their full potential. She believes that the best way to dream about the future is to be involved in making it.