Get ready to see this everywhere in Milwaukee: Here's how the 2020 DNC host committee logo came together.

It's bright, it's clean and it's going to be very visible around town over the next nine months.

It's the new logo of the host committee for the 2020 Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee.

Dominated by a large M that represents two people connecting — and the word "Milwaukee" in capital letters — the patriotic red, white and blue logo was quietly released on the host committee's website earlier this month.

Right now it's used for branded communications and digital assets.

The committee is still figuring out all the logo's uses before the convention, July 13-16.

But take just one look at the design and you can imagine the logo popping up on merchandise like T-shirts, baseball caps, banners and coffee mugs.

Liz Gilbert, president of the host committee, said: "The key feature of our bold new logo is that 'Milwaukee' is front and center. This placement is reflective of our mission at the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee. It’s our aim to place a national spotlight on Milwaukee that allows the rest of the world to understand why this city is such an incredible place to both live and visit."

The logo was dreamed up by Milwaukee-based CI Design Inc. — Jim Taugher, the firm's chief executive officer and creative director, and Greg Marshall, chief storyteller/producer.

Even if you haven't heard of the logo's creators, you've probably seen their work. They launched the "It's Aaron" commercial campaign featuring Aaron Rodgers and attorney David Gruber, which focused on the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer and other nonprofits.

The firm also produced the "Born a Brewer" television ad featuring Craig Counsell, manager of the Milwaukee Brewers.

It took Taugher and Marshall several weeks of sketching, writing, researching, discussing, planning and collaborating with the host committee to come up with a logo that hit all the marks.

Over the years, the firm has done some 400 logos, from sports teams to corporations to products, Taugher said.

They don't just start drawing from scratch.

"We wanted to think deeply about what represents Milwaukee and consider what makes Milwaukee unique," Marshall said.

They focused on the city's big images, like the lake, city hall and art museum, as well as the city's neighborhoods.

"What's significant about the history of Milwaukee, what's significant about right now and what are the hopes and future of Milwaukee and putting all that on the table," Marshall said.

It was Taugher who took this array of stories and images and put ink to paper. In a sketchbook he showed off the genesis of the logo, beginning with a star symbol. Another early effort included a wave that represents the lake and the rivers that come together in the city with the word "Milwaukee" in the skyline.

"Some of these early on looked a little more like a political event you'd see," Taugher said.

"We ended up distilling down to be more unique," he added.

They had to figure out what feels like Milwaukee, the color, the shape and the time.

"People get it, it's a convention, but it's a stage for Milwaukee," Taugher said. "Let's let Milwaukee be very bold. I don't think you have to explain to the country what Milwaukee is."

The M, with its two colors of navy blue and sky blue, symbolizes a "handshake, a conversation," Taugher said. It also evokes pop artist Robert Indiana's colorful MECCA floor basketball court.

Milwaukee is front and center in the logo. And the year, 2020, is italicized to indicate forward movement.

"We wanted to make sure there is an excitement about what can happen in our country, with new conversations," Marshall said.

The logo is surely a conversation starter. Taugher said a good logo does three things: evokes a feeling, is memorable and ultimately indelible.

They hope this logo stands the test of time.