Logo Design Team Puts Its Mark on the Map for Countryside Access.

A rural design agency has created the new symbol that indicates 'access land' under the Countryside Rights of Way Act 2000 for England and Wales.

(PRWEB) November 27, 2004 -- For the first time in history, walkers have a major new right to walk freely across mapped 'access land under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. In England the new right of access began on 19 September and will be completed by the end of 2005. In Wales this will be launched in May 2005. The new right of access will not reach Devon until August 2005 but its distinctive symbol, indicating the boundaries to access land, has been created by Ermington based agency Logo Design.

Following a competitive pitch, Logo was commissioned by The Countryside Agency and the Countryside Council for Wales. A wide range of possible symbols was explored and finally narrowed down to a strong and clear image of a person combined with a landscape shape within a circle. Consultation with special interest organisations such as the RNIB and Mencap was undertaken and the overall project took six months including detailed development, colour options and tests.

The brief we were given stated that the symbol had to unobtrusive, visually attractive, simple and pictorial rather than typographical," explained Lawrence Roberts, the lead designer for the project at Logo. It also needed to be distinct from any existing symbols and able to gain public recognition in a very short time."

Added requirements for the symbol were suitability for a number of applications including the new series of OS Explorer maps and reproduction in a variety of materials that will reflect regional differences such as slate, granite and wood. It also needed to be suited to a number of production methods such as routing, etching, engraving, sandblasting or casting.

A new Countryside Code has also been launched to coincide with the new legislation providing key messages for the public and land managers. The Logo team is delighted that its access symbol is being featured in the Code imagery and public service announcements that feature a Creature Comforts animation specially developed for the Code by Academy Award winning Aardman Productions of Bristol. The animation is being screened across TV channels and in selected cinemas during the next four years, and will also feature on future Creature Comfort DVDs.

Abigail Spooncer, who liased with Logo on behalf of the Countryside Agency and the Countryside Council for Wales endorsed the design teams efforts to complete the project, Throughout the process they were very responsive, enjoyable to work with and tireless in pursing all the options and issues that had to be addressed in such a socially and environmentally important area."

For further information about access to all countryside and the Countryside Rights of Way Act 2000, please visit the website: countrysideaccess.gov.uk. You will also be able to find information about the Countryside Code and see the animation. For information about access in Wales visit: ccw.gov.uk.

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