Background and Significance
Songkhla Province has initiated the Mascot and Logo Design Competition under the “City and Community Potential Development Project to Support the UNESCO Creative Cities Network” in the field of Gastronomy. The primary objective is to establish a distinct brand identity for “Songkhla Creative City of Gastronomy” through a collaborative process involving the public and professional designers.
Competition Format
The competition was divided into two categories: the Mascot Design Category and the Logo Design Category (inclusive of product prototype design). The process was conducted in two phases: the Online Round and the On-site Final Round, ensuring a comprehensive and efficient selection process.
Prior to the submission period, the working committee held two strategic online meetings with distinguished experts to establish operational guidelines and evaluation criteria:
- December 18, 2025: Defined the competition format.
- January 23, 2026: Conducted the online preliminary selection.
These sessions finalized the design guidelines to ensure alignment with Songkhla’s unique identity, emphasizing the communication of culinary heritage, distinct character personality, and practical feasibility for promotional media and commercial products.
Committee of Experts
The competition was overseen by a panel of distinguished experts from various fields, ensuring transparency and professional standards. The committee included:
- Mr. Pairoj Teeraprapa: Silpathorn Artist (Graphic Design)
- Dr. Chaiwatanaphat Lausat: Faculty of Fine Arts, Songkhla Rajabhat University
- Asst. Prof. Thanawat Lekhaphan: Faculty of Architecture, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (Songkhla)
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Wisit Potiwat: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University
- Mr. Palat Yimprasert: Faculty of Fine Arts, Thaksin University
For the final adjudication, Mr. Pakorn Rujirawilai, a prominent designer and urban developer of Songkhla Old Town, joined the panel as a substitute for Asst. Prof. Thanawat Lekhaphan, who was on an official mission.
Design Criteria and Guidelines
Key design requirements included:
- Distinct Personality: Friendly, joyful, or knowledgeable about local gastronomy.
- Storytelling: Inclusion of a name and a comprehensive background story.
- Universal Design: Gender-neutral and globally appealing concepts.
- Cultural Reflection: Emphasizing Songkhla’s culinary culture and local charm.
- Commercial Potential: Feasibility for commercial and souvenir development.
The evaluation criteria prioritized creativity and identity communication, alongside design quality, manufacturing feasibility, and market potential.
Project Timeline
The competition was executed through a systematic schedule:
- Public Relations Launch: January 4, 2026
- Submission Period: January 4 – 20, 2026
- Preliminary Selection: January 23, 2026
- Announcement of Finalists: January 24, 2026
- Expert Mentoring Session: January 26, 2026
- Final Submission: February 1, 2026
- Final Adjudication and Awards Ceremony: February 2, 2026, at a.e.y. space, Songkhla.
Competition Results
The competition received significant public interest with 35 submissions for the Mascot category (9 finalists) and 42 submissions for the Logo and Prototype category (10 finalists).
The Final Round (On-site) and Awards Ceremony took place on February 2, 2026, at a.e.y. space. Finalists presented their concepts to the five-member expert panel led by Mr. Pairoj Teeraprapa.
Summary of Winners:
- Mascot Category Winner: Ms. Anchisa Kongsomkhit with the character “BOK,” inspired by the traditional wisdom of “Khanom Bok” (Steamed Flour Cake).
- Logo Category Winner: Mr. Bamrung Israkul with a design that harmonizes the conch shell, “Khanom Tom” (Triangle Rice Cake) motifs, and the identity of Songkhla Old Town.
The winning designs will be further developed into official prototypes, including handcrafted journals, custom ceramic glassware, and souvenirs. These products will serve as key tools for communicating Songkhla’s image at both national and international levels.
This competition serves as a vital mechanism for public engagement and marks a creative milestone in developing Songkhla into a sustainable member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in Gastronomy.
