Kelowna

Graphic designer Phred Martin stands behind the originality of the logo he created for the City of Kelowna.

The logo, the inspiration of which Martin maintains came from the pine cone, the sunflower and Salish baskets, came under scrutiny earlier this week when a second, similar design surfaced.

The other design was created by the U.S. firm LandDesign back in 2007 for Sunhaven.

It has not been determined if Sunhaven ever used the logo.

Martin, who was in New York when the controversy sprung up Tuesday, arrived back in town Wednesday.

He met with city officials late Wednesday afternoon and spoke with Castanet News Thursday.

"I met with the city late yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon. They were satisfied," says Martin.

"We have worked together long enough and the project coordinator Rob Peter has worked with me long enough to know that this is pure coincidence and nothing more.

Martin says he was shocked when he first learned of the second logo, which features a very similar triangle pattern and colour scheme.

"I was disheartened at seeing a logo that, admittedly, had some strong similarities to what I have created. One thing you have to consider is when you develop a logo based on geometric forms, the idea that other people might have done the same isn't that hard to think about."

He says the idea that someone can create something and someone else working somewhere else can create something similar is not unheard of.

"If you look at the Rogers logo and then you look at Grant Thornton's logo, the structure of the form in both of those circular icons are very similar."

Martin also pointed to logos for Air Canada and for the Parks Services Division of the City of New York which are also very similar.

"If you draw a dot, you're not going to be the first guy ever to draw a dot. If you do a painting that is unbelievably detailed in whatever medium, then it is much more rare that you are going to find something else of that type."

Much of the discussion around the two logos centres around the almost identical colour scheme.

Martin says the choice of colours was a collaborative effort with the City of Kelowna.

"I came up with the scheme of how I think it should look overall and then sat it with the city with a pantone book and we sat there together and picked colours that we made sure would reproduce well."

"Now you are dealing with three people that have never seen this other identity that have all worked together to come up with this."

After 22 years in the business, Martin believes his reputation will help to speak for him.

As for those who believe the logo was not his original idea, Martin says he can only speak the truth.

"How someone else interprets that is up to them. I can't change someone's mind. All I can do is speak the truth. They will still form their own opinions."

As for his reputation, Martin says he stands by what he has created.

"I stand by my work. I'm very proud of this piece of work because there is the personal ownership of trying to represent my own town."

Martin says the issue is something he has now dealt with and, "it's time to move on."