POPS Logo Winner Announced
Following an international design competition launched in January, the Department of City Planning (DCP), The Municipal Art Society of New York (MAS), and Advocates for Privately Owned Public Space (APOPS) announced Monday the winning design of the new logo which will be displayed at more than 550 Privately Owned Public Spaces (POPS) across the city.
Created by New York-based graphic designer Emma Reed, the winning design entitled “Have a Seat” features a trio of “playfully-arranged” chairs. Reed’s logo was one of 607 designs submitted from nearly 60 countries. “I’m so honored to have my design chosen as New York City’s new Privately Owned Public Spaces logo,” Reed said in a release announcing her win. “I’ve spent many of my lunch hours in a POPS in lower Manhattan which, in part, inspired me to submit a design!”
POPS are part of NYC zoning regulations to ensure that the densest parts of the city include outdoor and indoor spaces for the public to use free of charge. The NYC POPS program has created nearly 3.8 million square feet of additional public space across the city. Examples of POPS include street-level plazas, arcades, and atriums situated next to privately owned office or residential buildings. The spaces are dedicated to public use and are owned and maintained by private property owners.
The public was invited to vote for a favorite POPS logo design in March with all submissions posted online or displayed at an exhibit. “We’re looking for a logo that’s instantly recognizable and clearly identifies these delightful indoor and outdoor spaces as open to the public,” DCP Director Marisa Lago said when announcing the competition’s voting period.
Along with approximately 17,000 votes cast by the public, a panel of seven experts selected three finalists, who each received $2,000 (see the other two finalists’ submissions here). Lago ultimately selected Reed’s “Have a Seat” logo from the three finalists, awarding the designer with an additional $2,000 and the honor of having her design displayed at 550 outdoor and indoor POPS locations across New York City.
Here in Brooklyn there are eight privately owned public spaces throughout Downtown and Fort Greene. Check out DCP’s interactive map which shows POPS across the city.
Beginning early next year, POPS signage will display the new logo along with visitor information including hours of access, required amenities, and how to report complaints.
“There were so many incredible designs that it was hard to choose,” Lago said of her decision. “But, the happy, almost-dancing, chairs of this logo bring a smile to your face, and say ‘Welcome!'”
Visit popslogo.nyc for more information.
