Archive for February, 2009

  • 25February
    No We Can’t: No Hope For Obama’s Hopefull Logo

    Some blog posts get a lot of views and a lot of comments, and then there are others that don’t. I got to thinking, what makes a blog post popular, or in some cases, not?, It seems that most posts that deal with current events or topics that people feel strongly about get the most hype. Since I am still a new writer on staff here, I decided to check out some of our older posts that were written by, Kevin. Turns out, his recent post about Barack Obama’s logo about Obama and the new Pepsi logo seemed to receive a lot of comments and mostly from people who disagreed.

    I think that a strong opinion is great and isn’t that why blogs exist? Everyone wants to express themselves and no one should be denied their opinion. I thought I would follow up on that blog post and write an opinion of my own. As we all know, the economy is just plain awful right now and we are all suffering in some way, however President Obama inherited this mess along with countless others. It’s hard to ignore the fact that is has been over 35 days since his inauguration and things seem to be getting worse. The stock market dropped again recently, roughly 834.31 points within the last month, resulting in a roller coaster of ups and downs since the year started and even before. No one knows where to make investments and a daunting credit freeze has paralyzed the world economy. Obama’s stimulus plan is another attempt to fix things, but how can it fix anything in the long term when all it is doing is bringing down the value of the dollar by printing more money and driving up the threat of inflation. According to US News and World Report, the plan will ultimately cost 3.3 trillion dollars, only bringing the country further into debt. It’s obvious that changes are being attempted but are they really intelligent or effective changes? So far, the public is still unhappy. According to Fox New polls (I know, I know) Recent polls show that Obama’s approval rating has dropped 5 points in the past 3 weeks. We know that changes are not going to happen overnight, but where is all the hope and optimism the nation felt in the weeks following the election? It seems these concepts have given way to frustration. Are the American people starting to lose hope in our new president?

    So after the political update, let’s get back to the point. This is Logo Blog and here we discuss logos, no matter what form or situation they may be involved in. Logos are everywhere and we love them, so let’s take a closer look at the logo surrounding the politics of our country. As Kevin posted before, the Obama logo is an iconic design both among graphic artists and most Obama supporters. It implies a flag-like path leading to hope and happiness and a rising “O” in the dawn of a change filled horizon. Since we are in the early days of the Obama administration and in the heart of a recession, does that path still mean the same thing? Have the people turned their back on this originally hopeful design? I don’t think anyone has yet, but there sure is possibility.

    How might a revised version of the Obama logo look to reflect these uncertain times? Designers, let’s see what you think. Has anyone seen a less optimistic version of the Obama logo? Would you be willing to go as far as to create your own? What are your opinions on this topic? Share it with Logo Blog Time to speak up designers! Let’s get a discussion going!

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    Posted in Graphic Design, Logo Design News, LogoBlog | 6 Comments »
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  • 20February
    Designing on the Dark Side: Designers Why So Bleak?

    After spending a lot of time keeping myself updated on the latest “weekly inspirations” or design tutorials or even the newest films to hit theaters, I noticed how dark and gothic artistic designs have become over the years. Why is there such a need to display one’s dark side? In our day and age, we see a ton of depression, mood disorders and suicidal behavior all around us. It’s everywhere! Movies, photos, our choice in clothing and even logos all have a demonic notion that is, for the most part, almost sickening. As adaptive creatures by nature; we take on the qualities we are surrounded with. Are all of these dark, graphic images taking over our subconscious and bringing on more dark feelings? This could possibly be the reason for a lot of the depression that exists in people today.

    Take notice of popular trends in our society. No one is truly original, but just copies off what they see around them. Our entire world is based on this. Each a piece of graphic design history. Once something is popular, it doesn’t take long for companies to market on it and sell products. Art is no different and once dark images became interesting, since it was something new and different; the trend spiraled and is now uncontrollable. Is the behavior of our society based on these dark concepts and images that we see all the time? What is it that draws us to these? I think there is an interest in our minds because dark or demonic concepts are something we can’t see or prove and something we fear. Our society is best for playing on our fears. The media knows this and uses it as much as pharmaceutical companies and just about everything does to sell a product. Fear is all around us and as curious beings; we have an interest in the unknown.

    Tim Burton is one example that quickly comes to mind. He is widely popular for his dark imagery and it seems to be all that he knows how to do. Even his logo has a foreboding feel with the leafless tree branches and the dark silhouette of a person looming under the thin letters. Every artistic creation he has produced has some sort of dark concept behind it. Most of his work is all based on death, yet he has millions of fans who go above and beyond to prove how much they adore him.

    Logo designs follow these dark trends as well. Since logos progress the way art does, there is no doubt that logos would take on a dark, ominous style. Why so dark and frightening? What ever happened to happy images full of life and color. Have we grown to a point where we need darkness and unsettling feelings in our guts to be interested in anything? Personally, it saddens me. Although I support change and progression in art and design inspiration , I wanna know why we turn to the dark side for inspiration. When did good stop overcoming evil?

    Why so dark and frightening? What ever happened to happy images full of life and color. Have we grown to a point where we need darkness and unsettling feelings in our guts to be interested in anything? Personally, it saddens me. Although I support change and progression in art and design, I wanna know why we turn to the dark side for inspiration. When did good stop overcoming evil?

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    Posted in Graphic Design, Logo Design Tips | 8 Comments »
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  • 19February
    Fans of LOST Open Discussion: More LOST logos

    Since my last post about the show “Lost,” got a lot of hype, I decided to write a little more about it. I don’t really watch much prime time TV, I usually have too many other things to do, but I always make an exception when it comes to the logos of Lost on Wednesday nights. The group of characters we follow, are currently in the future facing the ultimate question of if they should or should not return to the island that has forever changed their lives. All this time travel has made me remember past episodes to see how it all fits together. As I looked back, I noticed all of the other logos that I did not mention in my last post and thought it would be interesting to bring them to light. The Dharma logos within the show really have some interesting meanings behind them. They are all octagonal shapes which are based on the bagua, a Chinese group of diagrams consisting of three broken or unbroken lines. All of the dharma logos have different symbols in the center and appear in different places on the island. These symbols are a mystery to our characters as they try to figure out the secrets of the island they inhabit. Here are a few examples. What do you think their meanings are?

    For all of those major fans, I’m sure one can find sites that explain what they mean, but I want to hear real opinions. Why are specific logos located at specific stations on the island? What do they mean and where did they come from? Are they traditional images that date back? Since the octagon contains Chinese trigrams, are the images based on Chinese culture? What do you think?

    For all of those major fans, I’m sure one can find sites that explain what they mean, but I want to hear real opinions. Why are specific logos located at specific stations on the island? What do they mean and where did they come from? Are they traditional images that date back? Since the octagon contains Chinese trigrams, are the images based on Chinese culture? What do you think?

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    Posted in Logo Design Tips | No Comments »
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  • 13February
    Citi Group Caught In The Rain Without An Umbrella: Changes In a Logo and Company

    The very well known financial company, Citi Group has decided to turn in their classic umbrella Citi Group logo and change over to a simple colored arch over their name. The classic red umbrella has been sold to Travelers, the insurance company who had already been using the logo. Citi group finalized the sale recently, with an upbeat attitude about their growth and change. Citi Group still has a large steel structure, resembling its former logo, outside of New York’s investment bank. The structure was not a part of the deal with Traveler’s, however Travelers is hoping it will sent over. The deal was not a mere simple transaction, considering that its monetary value was in the millions, but both companies are satisfied that it is finally going through. It is claimed that the changeover has been an ongoing 15 month process, but it is questionable as to whether or not this is a direct result of the recession. We certainly know there might be a logo recession! The company is not saying anything about that; however it seems easy today to blame almost everything on our economic crisis.

    Citi feels that their company has progressed and the umbrella just doesn’t fit them anymore. Their representatives think that an umbrella relates more to insurance than banking;

    After mocking the company’s logo in Logo Blog’s recent post about logo changes during the time of a recession, it is an ironic twist how the announcement is made public to change their corporate image right after. The situation draws up questions on how the economic decline has affected logo designs. It may be better to change a company’s brand identity to bring about the idea of newness and change, which is something our new president promises and something Americans all hope for.

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    Posted in Logo Design News | 2 Comments »
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  • 12February
    Get Lost With The Logos of LOST

    As a huge fan of the show “Lost,” I base my Wednesday nights around watching it. I get home and make sure I pack my bag and lunch for the next day, do a quick work out, shower and have my pajamas on with a bowl of popcorn promptly by 9:00. The next hour is total enjoyment watching my favorite characters attempt to figure out what is happening to them and how to deal with their current situation.

    As I was watching the most recent episode, I got to thinking about the marketing aspect of the show and of course, the show’s logo. I must say I am sure they wont be using a travel logo to advertise this show. Advertising is of high ranking importance to all TV shows and since “Lost” is a show that has an abnormal season length, ABC must pay for more advertising to ensure that its fan base can hold out for the next, exciting episode.

    The show’s logo has become quite distinctive. There isn’t much to it, just capitalized letters in a very plain text with some cracks to look like ruins, but the surrounding images add a great deal to it as well. There are so many variations to the surrounding images and yet major fans know them all very well. The above is a classically seen version where the main cast is standing above the letters surrounded by palm trees and some ominous clouds. Beneath the letters is the ocean water with a very distinct reflection of the L.A skyline, in which the majority of the characters strive to revisit.

    Other logo variations include the cast in a desert like silhouette or an island setting with no cast at all, although each one has a very dark sky with what looks like a brewing storm. The dark clouds are not always present though. Sometimes there is a brighter sky, however this doesn’t work as well to describe the nature of the show. The show is not always set in darkness, but the island itself is a character which takes on a more villainous personality. It does sometimes allow good things to happen, like in the case with John Lock’s ability to walk, but it is more responsible for horrific deaths and mind games.

    Another logo within the show is the dark 3D logo which separate airtime from commercials. It’s a slight change from the show’s still logos, but is a quite classic image to fans. Dharma is also a big symbol. The Dharma logo is an example of a more internal logo. It does not represent the show itself, however when seen, fans know what it means and who bores the symbol.

    The lost logo seems to be a quite successful part of the show, but not all TV shows share its success. Is it a logo that makes or breaks new shows? After all, if it doesn’t catch your eye from the start, why would you watch it?

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    Posted in Logo Design News | 6 Comments »
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