Has this film festival served up the best logo of 2021?

We've seen plenty of brand new logos in 2021, and not all of them have been winners. From Amazon's Hitler-esque new app icon to countless uninspiring new flat designs from car brands, it can sometimes seem like there are few good ideas left. Until we see something like this ingenious design from Karlovy Vary Inernational Film Festival. 

Now in its 55th year, the festival, based in the Czech Republic, is one of the oldest in the world. But its branding is far from stale, with Studio Najbrt serving up a brilliantly bold and playful identity for this year's event. We'd say it even has eyes on our best logos roundup.

The monochromatic design (above) features the number 55, stylised to look like a pair of eyes (you know, the things you watch films with). And that's it. It's just a beautifully striking and simple design that perfectly fits the subject it's been created to promote. What more can we ask for from a logo?

"The visual follows the black and white typographic games with numbers and visibility that have characterized the graphics of the festival for the last two years," says Studio Najbrt. "We’re just glad to be back in the dark of the theatre together."

And the design is proving a huge hit online. "Brilliant – and now I can't unsee it!" one fan tweets, while another adds, "This project was so well made!". "That took me a moment, what a lovely observation," another user declares. Indeed, in a world of opinions and hot takes online, it's a pleasure to see a design that it seems the internet can't find fault with.

We love a good old logo with a hidden message, and Karlovy Vary Film Festival's eyes design is up there with the best of them. For more brilliant examples, check out this infographic revealing over 50 logo secrets. And if you're inspired to create a design of your own, take a look at our guide to logo design. 

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