The controversial logo for Kuala Lumpur received massive ridicule after its launch with many Malaysians saying that it looked like a job a designer could pull up within minutes.
It was reported in Malay Mail that the logo that seemed like an amateur’s work actually costs RM15,000!
The city’s Tourism Bureau general manager Noraza Yusof said that the amount was spent on the brand master guide, which includes creation of the logo, tagline, description, rationale and strategy.
Malaysians criticized the lack of thought and apparent strategy was put behind it.
Despite the public uproar, the city’s Tourism Bureau is not planning to change it just yet due to budget cuts.
“The budget this year is very tight … usually for this (branding), the cost could range between RM300,000 and RM1 million,” she said.
The whole Kuala Lumpur branding plan has been given an allocated budget of RM2.6 million. The budget would be spent on roadshows, media junkets, festivals and other promotional activities.
Noraza said the silver that colour of the KL font was meant to reflect the city’s tin mining roots.
“We need to educate people and make them understand the brand first, the logo was only launched a few days ago,” she said to Malay Mail.
She said the bureau welcomed criticism over the design.
“It is a good sign as it showes the KL-ites love their city,” she said.
Malaysians were not too pleased with the news, especially after finding out that the logo actually cost tax payers RM15,000!
After that, someone shared that the “Kuala Lumpur” logo which includes the emboss and shadow can apparently be created FOR FREE!
The font could easily be found and downloaded at zero costs in an online font library website, titled Cinematic Title Text Effect.
Fancy your own “Kuala Lumpur” lookalike logo? You can download the font here!
So what Malaysians are wondering is… what exactly is that RM15,000 for?
