Beijing 2008 organizers launched a global campaign Tuesday to solicit design proposals for the torch of the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games. The deadline for submissions is February 2, 2006.
Designers of the three top entrants will each be awarded 50,000 Yuan (about $6,188 U.S.), and the final design will be unveiled the middle of next year.
“The torch design competition is an important part of our preparation work”, said Zhang Ming, deputy director of BOCOG’s Culture and Ceremonies Department. “We are expecting a creative and unique design that can showcase the unique characteristics of the Beijing Games.
“Our concepts of the torch design are ‘glory and dream, tradition and modernity, culture and harmony’. Design proposals for the Beijing Olympic torch are supposed to artistically interpret the rich connotation of the concepts”, he said.
Submissions should display the distinguishing features of the Beijing Games, namely “Chinese style, cultural splendour and contemporary spirit” and to fully demonstrate the vitality and passion of the torchbearers, said Zhang.
BOCOG also requires the proposed designs to be original and creative, and the torch could be presented with state-of-the-art technology.
BOOG is also inviting specialized art or industrial design institutes as well as individual designers, including those having been involved in the torch designs for previous Games, to contribute their works, said Zhang.
Those interested in participating in the competition can download request forms for proposals and other related documents from BOCOG’s official Web site.
Zhang said BOCOG has worked out an initial plan for the torch relay route but could not give any details. “We will announce the route between January and February 2007”, said Zhang.
