The 2016 RNC Logo Speaks To Cleveland's History

The 2016 Republican National Convention is right around the corner, kicking off July 18 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. GOP supporters around the country have chosen former reality TV star Donald Trump as their presumptive nominee, though some politicians associated with the party did not back the candidate right away. While many are expecting to see a solidified Trump nomination after the convention, it will be interesting to see what unfolds. Either way, as the event approaches, what is the RNC convention logo and who designed it?

This year's logo features the GOP party's red elephant walking across a blue electric guitar. The design was unveiled late last year, but with the convention nearing, it's important to figure out the meaning behind the design and how it came to be. Pairing the elephant and the guitar in the RNC's 41st nominating convention logo was inspired by Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the logo was designed by Falls Communications, a public relations firm in the city.

The blue guitar not only represents the city's Rock Hall, but may also reference Cleveland's history as a Democratic city; it is likely also trying to appeal to voters who are undecided for the general election. During his 2012 presidential campaign, GOP hopeful Mitt Romney didn't win a single vote in nine of Cleveland's precincts, so it would appear that the RNC chose Cleveland and this particular logo for the convention as a way of saying they plan to win over the city this fall.

However, the most recent data on Cuyahoga County — where Cleveland's voters reside — noted that there are 228,646 registered Democrats, 152,170 Republicans, and an overwhelming 483,949 unaffiliated voters. Is it possible for Republicans to take Cleveland this fall?

"As this powerful logo is seen the world over, it will come to be identified with the convention and the city. We felt it was important to utilize a local company to design the logo," Steve King, the leader of the GOP committee who organized this year's convention said in a statement published on Cleveland.com.

While the RNC might be hoping to appeal to Cleveland voters with this year's logo, it will be interesting to see how the city votes this fall, and for whom all those unaffiliated voters will swing their support.