Wazzup Pilipinas!?
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) recently marked its 43rd anniversary by unveiling a new logo and visual identity. The design, showcased on the MIAA’s official social media accounts, aims to represent the country’s aviation sector with an eagle motif integrated with elements of the Philippine flag. As with many government rebranding efforts, the reveal sparked mixed reactions—from admiration and national pride to criticism and suggestions for improvement. Here’s a deep dive into what happened, what people are saying, and how a proposed redesign offers a fresh perspective on MIAA’s visual branding.
Old Logo
New Logo
1. The Official Unveiling and Immediate Reactions
When MIAA launched its new logo, it did so with the intent to symbolize flight, progress, and national identity. The eagle, widely regarded as a symbol of strength, was merged with the sun and colors of the Philippine flag (blue, red, yellow, and white). Official statements from MIAA emphasized the logo’s patriotic elements and its alignment with the agency’s commitment to providing world-class airport services.
Public Feedback
Patriotic Appeal: Some praised the new identity for reflecting Filipino pride, highlighting the eagle and flag-inspired color palette.
Visual Concerns: Others criticized the design for overlapping colors that might pose challenges in certain print applications and monochrome conversions.
Overuse of the Eagle Motif: A number of commenters pointed out that many Philippine government agencies have recently opted for eagle or bird imagery in their logos, leading to a sense of repetition and confusion.
2. Why Some Prefer the Old “MNL” Logo
Before this rebrand, some individuals had grown fond of the simpler “MNL” design used in certain airport materials. They argue that the old concept was already sleek, memorable, and instantly recognizable—especially for international travelers used to IATA airport codes.
“Angas pa din yung dati nila na MNL for me,”
one commenter shared, emphasizing that the older look felt modern and was already serving its purpose.
Additionally, some critics lament that changing an already functional design could be an unnecessary expense for the agency. They suggest that if MIAA truly wanted a fresh direction, they might have explored more distinct concepts (like incorporating an airplane silhouette) instead of returning to the ubiquitous eagle motif.
3. Critiques of the New Logo’s Execution
Beyond general opinions, design professionals and enthusiasts have shared specific technical feedback:
Color Overload
Using more than three colors in a logo can make it visually busy. The official design includes green, blue, red, and yellow in certain renderings, which some argue breaks a widely accepted best practice in logo creation.
Overlapping Elements
The eagle’s wings overlap with the sun, leading to potential issues in printing, especially in monochrome or grayscale formats. The overlapping colors may also clash visually.
Readability of Text
The official design places “Manila International Airport Authority” around or near the emblem, resulting in a lengthy text that can be hard to incorporate neatly in smaller applications. Critics suggest separating the text from the main icon to maintain clarity.
Use of Stock Imagery
Some observers suspect the eagle illustration may have originated from a stock image. While there is nothing inherently wrong with licensed art, detractors point out that a government agency’s logo should ideally be a unique symbol crafted from scratch—emphasizing authenticity, originality, and brand identity.
4. A Proposed Redesign: Familiar Elements, Refined Execution
Amid the buzz, a design professional (referred to here as “RGB Designs”) shared a proposed rework of the MIAA logo. This version retains the eagle and Philippine flag elements but arranges them with cleaner lines, more balanced proportions, and a text layout that is easier to read. The aim is to showcase how small changes in execution can make a big difference in clarity and impact.
Key Features of the Proposed Redesign
Streamlined Color Palette
By using the same flag colors more strategically, the redesign minimizes potential clashes.
Clear Separation of Symbol and Text
The eagle-and-sun emblem is distinct from the “Manila International Airport Authority” text, ensuring both elements remain legible.
No Overlapping Elements
This approach addresses criticisms about print issues and visual clutter.
Original Artwork
The designer emphasizes originality, steering away from stock imagery to create a more unique identity.
5. Design Subjectivity vs. Best Practices
It’s important to acknowledge that logo design—like all art—is subjective. What resonates with one audience may not appeal to another. However, there are common best practices in branding:
Simplicity and Versatility: A logo should look good in various sizes and across different mediums, from large-scale billboards to small digital icons.
Distinctiveness: It must stand out from other logos in the market, especially among government agencies that often share similar themes.
Memorability: A strong brand mark leaves a lasting impression, connecting easily with the organization’s name and purpose.
Appropriateness: The imagery should relate to the organization’s function—in this case, aviation.
While the official MIAA logo meets some of these criteria, the public discourse highlights areas for potential refinement, such as reducing color complexity, ensuring uniqueness, and avoiding overlapping elements.
6. Comparisons to Other Government Rebrands
Some commenters have compared MIAA’s new logo to other recent government rebranding efforts—most notably, the controversial Pagcor redesign. Many argue that the MIAA update is more cohesive and visually appealing, but the recurring bird/eagle motif among different agencies can be confusing when viewed together.
“To be fair, the official one isn’t as bad as the Pagcor design. Mas firm sa shape and form yung official.”
7. Moving Forward: Embracing Feedback and Future Adjustments
Rebranding can be a lengthy process, often involving multiple revisions based on stakeholder input. Whether MIAA decides to stick with its newly unveiled emblem or refine it further, it’s clear that public interest is high. The discussion around originality, practicality, and aesthetics underscores how important design choices are—especially for an agency that welcomes millions of passengers each year.
Could the “MNL” Mark Be Retained?
Some stakeholders still advocate for integrating “MNL,” seeing it as both iconic and functional. MIAA might explore combining the new eagle-and-sun motif with the well-known airport code, ensuring the best of both worlds: national pride and international recognizability.
8. Conclusion
The Manila International Airport Authority’s new logo has ignited a spirited conversation about design principles, brand identity, and the fine line between national symbolism and visual redundancy. While the official version symbolizes patriotism and modernity, critiques from netizens and design professionals highlight concerns about color usage, overlapping elements, and the reliance on an eagle motif that many find overused in government branding.
A proposed redesign demonstrates how retaining key elements can still yield a cleaner, more cohesive result. Ultimately, the MIAA’s next steps—whether they embrace the new logo as is, integrate public feedback for revisions, or reintroduce the “MNL” code—will be closely watched. In the world of branding, few things are more valuable than a clear, memorable mark that unites function and aesthetic. For an international airport authority representing the Philippines on a global stage, it’s a conversation well worth having.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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