The Solidarity logo designed by Jerzy Janiszewski

Jerzy Janiszewski

Jerzy Janiszewski is a Polish artist, best known for designing the Solidarity logo in 1980.He received a diploma of Gdansk Academy of Fine Arts in 1976. His creations include logotypes, posters, scenogaphies and open-air installations....

 in 1980 is considered as an important example of Polish Poster School creations. The logo was awarded the Grand Prix of the Biennale of Posters, Katowice

Katowice

Katowice is a city in Silesia in southern Poland, on the Kłodnica and Rawa rivers . Katowice is located in the Silesian Highlands, about north of the Silesian Beskids and about southeast of the Sudetes Mountains.It is the central district of the Upper Silesian Metropolis, with a population of 2...

 1981. By this time it was already well known in Poland and became an internationally recognized icon.

According to the artist, the letters were designed to represent united individuals. This characteristic font, colloquially known as solidaryca ("Solidaric"), was implemented many times in posters and other pieces of art in different contexts. Notable examples include a film poster for Man of Iron

Man of Iron

Man of Iron is a 1981 film directed by Andrzej Wajda. It depicts the Solidarity labour movement and its first success in persuading the Polish government to recognize the workers' right to an independent union....

by Andrzej Wajda

Andrzej Wajda

Andrzej Wajda is a Polish film director. Recipient of an honorary Oscar, he is possibly the most prominent member of the unofficial "Polish Film School"...

 and, in 1989, a poster by Tomasz Sarnecki designed for the first (semi-)free elections in Poland.