Wanted: Mascot, logo for 'Bird's Nest'

THE company that operates China's National Stadium, or "Bird's Nest," said yesterday that designs for its mascot and logo should combine regional characteristics and Chinese cultural elements.

The stadium, which hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, started on Friday to solicit designs for its mascot and logo.

The mascot should show that the stadium is "a nest of life and source of dreams" and convey the ideal of harmonious coexistence of people, nature and the universe, a company spokesman said.

The mascot should bear characteristics of Chinese culture, the city of Beijing and the "Bird's Nest" and have strong visual impact and an easy-to-remember name.

The logo should display the "unique charms of the architecture and profound Chinese culture," show distinct characteristics of Beijing and conform with aesthetic taste of the Chinese.

All participants are supposed to hand in their works before January 19. A panel composed of at least nine members will select six designs each for mascot and logo from March to April.

The 12 finalists are expected to win a bonus of 10,000 yuan (US$1,460) and the two winners will get an extra 30,000 yuan.

The National Stadium occupies 21 hectares and has a floor space of 258,000 square meters. It has a seating capacity of 91,000, with 11,000 temporary seats.

The "Bird's Nest" surpassed many famous landmarks of Beijing to come in second as must-see scenic spots in an opinion poll recently organized by the Beijing Tourism Administration. Top on the list was the Great Wall.

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