Peace for Paris symbol creator doesn’t want credit, he just wants to help stop the hurt

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Kelly Rissman

US News Reporter

Of all the cartoons, drawings and illustrations that poured out of people following the Paris attacks on Friday, French graphic designer Jean Jullien’s collision of the peace sign and the Eiffel Tower has been by far the most shared.

His original Instagram post saw over 160,000 Likes, and gained millions more after being shared by everyone from politicians to Kardashians.

Jullien is pleased that his drawing, a “raw reaction” to the chain of attacks, has struck a chord, but isn’t bothered about getting credit.

“The response has been overwhelming, especially since I didn't have any control over it,” he told CNN.

“But I can't feel pride or happiness because it is such a dark time. It's undesired exposure. A horrible moment. But, I'm just somehow glad people made use of it."

It wasn’t something that I did to benefit from,” he added to the NY Times. “It was just a spontaneous reaction as a citizen, not as a professional. The credit didn’t matter.

“I have a lot friends, family and colleagues in Paris, and it is a city I love. I felt extremely worried for my close ones and for everyone, really.”

As for his inspiration for the sign, it was really very organic.

“I draw. That is my way of expressing myself,” the 32-year-old, who runs a studio in London, said. “The first thing I could come up with was a need for peace in reaction to this horrible violence. It was a very raw, spontaneous reaction. I didn’t sketch anything before.”

Jullien believes the image’s virality is a powerful reminder that logos don’t have to be corporate.

"People think it's just an everyday tool to sell things like cars or advertise products, but graphic arts is a means of expression beyond words.

"Words can sometimes be difficult to translate. I think the simpler, the better, the more universally understood it can be."