Take a walk down any Singapore street, and you are bound to see the SG50 logo everywhere. At first, it was festive. However, as the days drew near to August 9th, I began to feel SG50 fatigue.
It seemed liked people are just slapping the logo onto everything, regardless of relevance or meaning.
The SG50 logo was created by the SG50 committee for everyone to use, just as this year’s theme suggests “celebrating as one people”.
The logo has usage guidelines, such as it should not be used to make threats or attacks against others, support any political or religious agenda, or as part of inappropriate content.
While none of the examples below are against guidelines, here are 5 uses that made me cringe inside each time I see them.
1. Combining SG50 with GSS
Ok, it is Singaporean to shop, but let’s keep the Great Singapore Sale/Hari Raya and SG50 sale separate. Unless you have some special reason, maybe it is your shop’s 50th anniversary, otherwise just don’t. You are still going to have that sale SG50 or not right?
2. SG50 promo of yourself
I get that you are an enterprising individual, but really, let’s keep the celebrations more about Singapore and nation building, and less about you.
This includes naming events after SG50 when it isn’t about celebrating it.
3. SG50 tissue paper
Maybe there is some link for this. Tissue and chopeing goes hand in hand. Maybe if you want to throw an SG50 party, you can have matching tissue boxes. Maybe I am finding too many excuses.
4. Giant SG50 food
Food is another of Singapore’s true loves. I’m not talking about SG50 food deals, but rather actual food. Um, it is one thing to make SG50-themed candy, another to make giant food (especially if it is inedible).
5. SG50 logo in your ads
Yes, I get that you love Singapore. So do I. But whatever your product is, it has nothing to do with SG50. Hearing aids, raw chicken, furniture… Unless you have an SG50-edition product, please no.