Doha, 22 August 2019 (Gulf Times)

The General Authority of Customs (GAC) has announced a competition to design a new logo for the authority, and invited "interested creative and talented citizens and residents" to participate in the contest.

The conditions and specifications of the competition have been listed on the GAC website, http://customs.gov.qa, and the winner will be awarded QR50,000.

The last date for receiving entries is October 1.

The specifications mention that the logo shall be creative, simple and strongly indicate Customs roles. The logo shall be characterised in a manner that indicates a Qatari institution and is suitable for representing the GAC.

The new GAC logo should not be adopted from any other authority's logo. Also, two copies of the logo should be made, one of which includes the name 'General Authority of Customs' and the other 'Qatar Customs', the conditions state.

Each participant can submit a maximum of three designs. The logo should be suitable for use across all media and for advertising purposes, and can be printed on shields, gifts, files, letters and correspondences without losing its shape or components.

The design should retain the clarity of all its elements, whether in different colours or black and white when zoomed out or zoomed in. Each design should be submitted in two versions - colour and black and white.

The specifications further note that contest participants need to provide an overview explaining the idea behind the design and what all its components symbolise.

The design shall not contain readymade templates and effects available on different design software. It should be implemented through professional design programmes and have to be submitted in PDF or JPEG format, be of high quality and have a resolution of not less than 300 pixels/inch.

"The GAC has the right to modify the winning design as it deems appropriate with the logo’s designer or by a third party," the specifications point out.

The ownership of the winning logo shall be transferred to the General Authority of Customs while retaining the moral right of the designer and s/he shall submit a written undertaking in accordance with the requirements of the Legal Affairs Department at the GAC.

The GAC is not responsible for any costs or losses that may occur due to the logo design and has no obligations towards the owners of the non-winning designs.

Only individuals over 18 years of age are allowed to participate, and submissions from several people or companies will not be accepted.

The last date for receiving entries is October 1.

To view the vision, mission and objectives of the authority, one can visit www.customs.gov.qa

A prize of QR50,000 awaits the winner of the competition, the GAC has said.

The designs need to be stored on a CD or Flash memory device, which should be submitted in a sealed envelope with the name (Customs logo competition) along with the participant’s full name, mobile number, e-mail and a copy of his/her Qatari identity card. Entries have to be handed over at the reception of the GAC office in Al Dafna.

Designs can also be sent through WeTransfer to PR@customs.gov.qa under the title Qatar Customs Logo Competition.