The name and logo competition for the Botanic garden in Plovdiv, organized by Agricultural University – Plovdiv and Speedflow Bulgaria, has officially ended. We would like to kindly thank all participants in the competition for their hard work, efforts and the time spent to help create the unique visual identity of the park.

The official deadline for the submission of the creative projects was December 10. We are truly impressed by the big number of applications received and by each participant’s thoughtful approach to the whole brief. 78 designers took part in the competition, 5 of which were teams of two, making the total number of submitted projects – 110!

The ten-member jury, chaired by Professor Hristina Yancheva Ph.D., undertook the difficult task to choose the best name and logo design among all proposals in the competition. The meeting was held on December 11 at the Rector’s Building of the Agricultural University. The jury comprised of Nata Ellis, Commercial Director of Speedflow Bulgaria, Vlad Ellis, CEO of Speedflow Bulgaria, habilitated lecturers on Botany, graphic design experts, students and volunteers from the Steering Committee for the Restoration of the Botanic garden.

The discussion was held behind closed doors and lasted for more than an hour.

We are so happy to announce that together with Agricultural University–Plovdiv Speedflow Bulgaria is organizing a Name and Logo Competition for the University Botanic garden in Plovdiv.

Since 2017, our team has been actively involved in the Botanic garden renovation project. We are so excited that this special place will finally get its visual identity.

 

Terms and Conditions of Competition Entry

 

1. About the Botanic garden

The Botanic garden in Plovdiv was founded in 1950 on an area of 250 decares. It is the third botanical garden in Bulgaria and the first one built outside Sofia. Through the years, its size has been reduced several times and now it spreads over 113,504 decares. Unfortunately, all research, development and maintenance activities ceased completely after 1990. Currently, the park is in a terrible condition. The whole area keeps on deteriorating although it is home to rare plants and trees.

There have been several attempts to revive the Botanic garden over the years, but no substantial results were achieved. Until 2017! Then, thanks to the joint efforts of Agricultural University-Plovdiv, Plovdiv Municipality, District “Trakia” and benevolent citizens the Steering Committee for the Restoration of the Botanic garden was established. Its proactive board organized more than 15 cleaning events, green initiatives for children and adults, and a big drawing competition on the topic “My Botanic garden”.

The determination and enthusiasm of Plovdiv residents to bring back to life the former Botanic garden is growing even stronger. The joint efforts of all participants have brought many positive results:

• Over 1500 sq.m. was cleaned
• Hundreds of trash bags were thrown away
• A garden with over 1000 crocuses was planted
• 30 birdhouses were built
• Illegal constructions were demolished
• A request for tenders to build a new fence has been initiated

So, here we are, a year later! Our team believes that the time has come for the Botanic garden to get a beautiful name and an impressive logo.

 

2. General guidelines

By organizing the Name and Logo competition we would like to attract more followers to this noble cause – supporters, environmentalists, friends, specialists, sponsors, contributors, plant lovers, etc. with whom to join forces and complete the project for the restoration of the Botanic garden. We do hope that in time it will become a well-known park and a favorite recreation area not only for Plovdiv citizens but also for foreigners.

 

3. Name and logo specifications

Both the name and the logo must convey the right messages and provoke associations and emotions related to botanic gardens and the preservation of the flora in Bulgaria and the world. They must be positive, attractive, and express one’s love for nature in general.
The design of the logo should be original work and must not resemble or copy another existing logo. It must not contain distinctive elements or initials of the author. It should illustrate and express the concepts of the Botanic garden and provide the necessary recognition.
The name should not be taken/under special patents and be available for use. It is advisable to create a unique font or use one that is not copyrighted (e.g. open source)
Each designer can decide for themselves if they would incorporate the name in the logo or not.

 

4. Eligibility

The Name & Logo competition is open to both Bulgarian and foreign artists. Designers can apply individually or as a creative team. There are no age restrictions. Each participant has the right to submit up to three different creative concepts.

 

5. Deadlines

Start of the competition: 01.10.2018
Submission deadline: 10.12.2018
Winner announcement: middle of December 2018

 

6. Submission requirements

1. Color, monochrome, positive and negative versions in JPG format (1500×1500)
2. Two language versions of the design – in Latin and Cyrillic
3. One page description of your ideas
4. Brand book (PDF)
5. Branding mockups
6. Your resume
7. Contact details: name, phone number, and email

Please, submit your entries to garden@speedflow.bg no later than December 10.

 

7. Judging

Firstly, there will be a public voting. It will determine the 10 best works that will go to the final stage of the competition. The winning design will be selected by an independent jury consisting of the competition organizers.

 

8. Prize

The author of the best name and logo will get a prize of 1000 leva.

 

9. Copyrights

The winner agrees to present the winning design along with all work files to the Botanic Garden, transferring all copyrights to the Agricultural University–Plovdiv.

If you are full of creative ideas, genuinely love nature and are feeling inspired by the Bulgarian flora, we are looking forward to receiving your concepts at garden@speedflow.bg no later than December 10.

Speedflow Bulgaria team and Agricultural University–Plovdiv wish lots of success to all participants!

Speedflow Bulgaria team took part in the national campaign “Let’s clean Bulgaria together” by organizing the two-day green initiative “Plant a Flower – Save the Botanical Garden of Plovdiv” together with Plovdiv Municipality, district “Trakia” and Agricultural University Plovdiv.

 

About the event

The event took place on 15-16 September at the former Botanical Garden of Plovdiv and gathered together more than 50 volunteers from Bulgaria and abroad. Together we managed to clean a big area, removed lots of trash and planted nearly 1,000 crocuses. We are looking forward to seeing this beautiful garden blossom in the spring.

On behalf of the Steering Committee for the Restoration of the Botanic garden, we would like to thank all volunteers who spent a few hours of their precious time and joined our green initiative. We also would like to say special “Thank you” to Kostadin Dimitrov, the Mayor of district “Trakia”, who constantly supports our initiatives, organizes the waste collection and transport. This time he came on site and joined our team, setting a good example for the whole community.

 

Our role

Since 2017 Speedflow Bulgaria Green Squad has been actively involved in the organization of cleaning events at the Botanic garden. Thanks to the joint efforts of institutions and citizens, we managed to achieve lots of positive results. Up until this present moment, together we have cleaned an area of over 1500 square meters; have thrown away hundreds of trash bags; demolished several illegal buildings in the park, and now Agricultural University Plovdiv, which manages the territory, will choose a tender who is going to build a new fence around the Botanical Garden. This is the most important step in order to protect the park from further pollution, development of illegal activities and nuisance. It will also speed the processes related to its general preservation and restoration plan.

Also, visit the YouTube channel related to the initiative here and learn more.

 

Take part in the next event!

We are very happy that we can contribute to this good cause, to help Plovdiv bring back to life it Botanic garden and preserve the Bulgarian flora heritage.
If you want to help us revive the Botanical Garden, come and join our next event “Plant a Flower – Save the Botanical Garden of Plovdiv Vol.2“, which will take place on October 14, Sunday at 10 am.
See you there!

 

 

Here are some shots from the productive weekend in the Botanical Garden: