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Visual Identity Design Competition for the Kingdom of Bahrain Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka

Calling graphic design agencies and studios!

The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities is hosting an international competition for the design of the visual identity for the Kingdom of Bahrain's pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.

About the national participation at Expo 2025 Osaka:

• The Kingdom of Bahrain is participating with a self-built pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, marking its fourth participation in an international expo after attending Expo Shanghai in 2010, Expo Milan 2015, and Expo Dubai 2020.
• The general theme of Expo Osaka is Designing Future Society for Our Lives, with the subthemes of Saving Lives, Empowering Lives, and Connecting Lives.

• Expo Osaka will run from April 13th, 2025, to October 13th, 2025, and is expected to attract more than 28 million visitors and 150 participating countries.
• The Kingdom’s participation, themed “Connecting Seas”, explores Bahrain's longstanding connection to the seas as a means of connecting to the world. From the harbour of the Dilmun civilization, which linked the Indus Valley to Mesopotamia, to its current strategic location as the Gateway to the Gulf, it will showcase Bahrain's strategic geographical position and its history as a trading port, a tradition that continues today. This history cements Bahrain as a multicultural and multiethnic society that remains open to the world.

• The Kingdom of Bahrain pavilion is located close to the sea in the Empowering Lives district.
• The pavilion, designed by Lebanese-French architect Lina Ghotmeh, draws inspiration from Bahrain's dhow building craftsmanship and showcases the nation's historical connection to the world through the seas, as well as its deep-rooted manufacturing expertise. Constructed entirely from wood, in alignment with the Kingdom of Bahrain's sustainability agenda, the pavilion will be fully recycled at the conclusion of the Expo. Situated near the sea, it will benefit from natural ventilation provided by coastal winds, underscoring Bahrain's intimate relationship with the sea and reducing the reliance on mechanical cooling.

• The interiors and exhibition design are led by Bahraini firm Shepherd Studio, offering visitors an immersive and interactive exhibition experience.
• The Kingdom’s participation will also feature a dedicated business floor aimed at promoting Bahrain as a competitive business destination to the Japanese market.

• Highlight the way the sea is being fostered to create a more sustainable future: development of smart coastal cities, harnessing coastal winds for cooling.
• Display Bahrain’s know-how in dhow construction – highlighting local manufacturing possibilities and how vessels always connected Bahrain to the world.

• Highlighting the Kingdom of Bahrain as a strategic location for business and the Gateway to the Region’s largest economy.

Submissions:

The application form is to be completed online on www.culture.gov.bh.

Submissions must include:

1. Design agency’s updated portfolio.
2. A brief proposal outlining the approach to creating the visual identity and overall branding for the Kingdom of Bahrain Pavilion.
3. Branding proposal (1-2 routes and concepts):
• Design philosophy and concept 
  • Logo identity in three languages
  • Arabic: مملكة البحرين
  • English: Kingdom of Bahrain
  • Japanese: バーレーン王国
  • Tagline (theme) identity in three languages
  • Arabic: تلاقي البِحار
  • English: Connecting Seas
  • Japanese: 海をつなぐ
• Brand Guidelines (basic) including variations of logo identity placement, color palette, display and text typefaces, graphical elements if applicable
• Proposal visual mock-ups: Sample online template for website and social media design, sample poster, pavilion brochure and environmental branding
• Project timeline 
• Design requirements cost breakdown (pavilion identity logo, brand guidelines, social media generic posters, stamp display stand and pavilion stamps, website design and technical development, social media design approach and templates, pavilion façade and interior signages, exhibition space display information signages, pavilion pamphlet, e-poster events and programming announcements, event invitation card and program, pavilion book design).
•  All submissions must be in PDF format.

The deadline to submit is 1st August 2024, 11:59 p.m. (Bahrain Local Time).

Terms and Conditions:

1. Local and international agencies are eligible to participate.
2. Applicants must have a minimum of 5 years of experience, with a valid Commercial Registration.
3. Applicants should possess knowledge and experience in working with Arabic, English, and Japanese designs, being able to understand and effectively work with the visual elements and typographic styles specific to these languages.
4. Each applicant has the right to apply once only.
5. Submission should be either in Arabic or English.
6. Applicants acknowledge that acceptance is a multistep process and is not guaranteed. The committee will review the submissions and has the right to accept or reject the submissions.

By submitting this form, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the terms and conditions. You also acknowledge that all submitted documents are your own.

Any further questions or clarifications on the competition can be sent to: BahrainExpoOsaka@culture.gov.bh anytime during the competition period.