Investigation of city identity indicators through logo designs

In the 20th century, with the rapid increase in globalization, there have been changes in city populations and consequently a great increase in the awareness of cities. Those who have turned this increase to their advantage have undoubtedly been the municipalities that have successfully and effectively carried out the city promotion process. Logos, which represent the city identity, establish a visual communication with the inhabitants of the city and the world through the symbolic meanings they contain. In this context, logos are the most important element of the city's visual identity that both city dwellers and those living outside the city frequently encounter. Therefore, a city's success in urban branding will primarily benefit the city and its residents. In this study, urban identity indicators were investigated through logo designs. The design qualities of city logos were evaluated comparatively with content analysis using qualitative method in the context of selected sample logos. The importance of city logos in creating a city identity was emphasized by analyzing their indicators. By focusing on the concepts of logo, visual identity, urban culture and branding, the symbols of the current and old logos of Ankara Metropolitan Municipality are compared, and the originality debates of Gaziantep, which has undergone a successful branding process, are examined. In addition, the branding and logo studies of Amman Metropolitan Municipality, which has recently taken important steps in the branding process, are evaluated. It is foreseen that the results of the examination carried out within the scope of the thesis study titled "Investigation of City Identity Indicators through Logo Designs" will contribute to the literature on city logo design and will serve as a guide for graphic designers and architects.