Logo Design Blog » LogoBlog Poll

“Ida” Fossil Inspires New Google Logo

Nora Reed — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:27:40 +0000

Meet Ida!

“Ida,” is the little fossil that was recently found in Germany and is considered to be the “missing link.” The fossil is a huge find for those who study human origins. Paleontologist, Jorn Hurum, is responsible for leading the team and analyzed the 47-million-year-old fossil. He suggests Ida is a critical missing-link species in primate evolution. His studies show that the Ida fossil bridges the evolutionary split between higher primates such as monkeys, apes, and humans and their more distant relatives such as lemurs.

Ida, properly known as Darwinius masillae, has a very unique anatomy. The skeleton is mostly like a lemur, but features primate-like characteristics such as grasping hands, opposable thumbs, clawless digits with nails, and short limbs. After the announcement was made about the fossil’s discovery, it seems Google took advantage, using the fossil’s image for today’s Google logo.

Google has always been great with keeping up with current events and displaying what is going on through their logo art. It’s nice to see that they continue to do so by proudly including Ida in their design.
-Nora Reed

Forget March Madness, it’s Time for Logo Madness

Nora Reed — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:05:10 +0000

With the start of the 2009 NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball tournaments and all the excitement surrounding March Madness, we thought we would conduct our own tournament featuring some the world’s most famous brands and the logos that represent them.
Each day we will have a head-to-head matchup, where you will vote for the winning logo. Can Fed Ex beat UPS? Is the BBC the Cinderella story of the tournament? Can Yahoo be the next Gonzaga or George Mason and shock the world by defeating the behemoth Google? It is up to you. Welcome to Logo Madness.
Sit back relax and take a break from your office pool, which you weren’t winning anyway and let’s see who has the best brand and logo. Click on the bracket below and make your picks. Vote below to your right on the poll.

Impatient with Change: Redesigning Barack Obama’s Logo

Nora Reed — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 21:14:05 +0000

Economic hardship is not something that is easy for any of us to deal with, but unfortunately, our choices are limited. The global economic crisis is a major reality and is in the collective conscience of America.

Barack Obama has not had a whole lot of time in his new position as the American President, but he has a long road ahead of him. The American people are looking to him for both hope and leadership to get us out of this mess.

As I mentioned in my last post, No We Can’t: No Hope For Obama’s Hopefull Logo things have not changed much since his inauguration. Although it has been a short span of time, the American people are notoriously impatient and fickle. Have we already lost hope in his ability to lead? Has the ideals of Hope and Change collapsed like Lehman Brothers and AIG?

I also threw it out to the logo community to see if anyone could come up with a new logo concept for Mr. Obama that is a bit more pessimistic then the logo we have grown to know. I didn’t get any responses with logo designs, so Logo Blog decided to make its own changes to Barack Obama’s logo. Here at Logo Blog we all wish success for the new president, however here are a few zings on his logo for those who are not so happy with the current administration.

Let’ s bring a bit of light-hearted humor to a situation that is terribly bleak. Enjoy. I hope you find these humorous and we can all try to laugh in dark time. Hope is still out there and in order for things to get better, we need to have it. Take a look at ours and send us your examples! And Dont forget to vote in our poll!

Lights! Camera! Design! A Look at Graphic Design in Film

Nora Reed — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:02:03 +0000

It’s Saturday night and one of the greatest things to do to relax and unwind from a tough week is to get in the car and head out to the movies. As one of America’s favorite pastimes, your local theater always has plenty of choices, but have you ever realized how much graphic design is involved in great films? Today’s films have progressed in quality at such an advanced state that we all are having trouble catching up, but most of us don’t realize how much design has to do with the creation of these masterpieces. From promotional art, to editing and special effects, to packaging and DVD covers, graphic design is everywhere in the film studio.When you arrive at the theater, the first thing you do is get in line and buy your ticket. Well, of course on a Saturday, it’s usually crowded and you do have to wait in line, but don’t fret, there is plenty to look at to keep your mind active and entertained. Promotional posters are everywhere and of course, those posters are created by graphic designers. Each poster is usually phenomenally created and they would have to be to compete for your attention. There are so many in a theater lobby that how else would you notice one over the other. If you stare at it long enough and are curious about the story it tells, then the designer has done their job well.

The Dark Knight (2008)

This one is a great example. “The Dark Knight,” already had a ton of hype so its poster needed no explanation. We all know the greatness of Superhero Logos, Batman in particular, but it was Heath Legder’s Joker alone was a huge attraction for most audiences and knowing this, Warner Brothers used the character as a promotional tool. The tagline is great and has so much meaning to it and the faded image in the background is quite unsettling. You know who it is, but it’s almost censored so that we have to wait to see the movie to see the Joker’s face. It really sets the mood for the film.

The Darker Knight
This poster is the same concept but much less effective. It appears more like something from Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” then from “The Dark Knight.” I think it’s the shower door effect that throws it off so much. It says very little about the film and has nothing to do with a shower so in a way, it is quite misleading.

The Day after Tomorrow (2004)
The poster for “The Day After Tomorrow” is an excellent example of great graphic design work. I have yet to see the Photoshop tutorial that will teach me how to cover the statue of liberty in snow, but I am sure there is one out there somewhere. The image has a great wind effect and awesome cloud cover in which you just feel cold by simply gazing upon it. The use of blue also has a dark and ominous feel. The designer really set the mood in this image.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
“Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban” is nicely done graphic example. With great set up and great foreshadowing, what more could you ask for? Your three main characters engulf the center, with Harry in front of course, and the added background details include major plot points in the movie, such as Sirius’s character, a hand from a Dementor or the shrunken head from the knight bus. These references are all very strategically placed to work in the entire graphical image to cover the movie as a whole.

Filmmakers and graphic designers work hand in hand when working on projects. They are both very collaborative efforts in which a team can create a much better result than one creative mind working alone. Designing is a huge part of post-production. Great graphic designers already know computer programs and the background basics of design which helps when it comes to editing and color correcting. Their eye for details can offer some fantastic insight, so not only can a designer work on still art but since the medias are so closely related, designers can have great opportunities in moving art as well. Animation brings out even more opportunities for graphic designers. Animation is not just for kid films. It is used in live action films for special effect purposes, such as dinosaurs in “Jurassic Park,” Spiderman swinging through city streets or a destructive monster in “Cloverfield.” Graphic design is all a part of this detailed process that often just flashes before our eyes on screen. Aside from the films themselves, film studios and production companies all have logos to promote themselves. Of course, graphic designers can credit themselves for these great and well known works of art. Not only do these companies have a still logo but when introduced in the opening credits of a film, they also have an logo to represent their company. As we have seen before, Hollywood studio logos play an important role in corporate identity. Although a lot of us disregard these when in a dark theater, munching on sweet treats, we still do know those logos well and can associate them with these film companies without giving it a second thought.

Celebrate the Olympic Games and Vote Now!

Nora Reed — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 17:57:35 +0000

With the 2008 Olympic Games here, it is hard not to catch the spirit of international competition. With 302 events in 28 sports, the games offer a vast field of athletes the opportunity to represent their country on a global stage. While often overlooked, selecting the stage itself however is very much like a competition. Just like the athletes who tirelessly train and prepare for the games, cities and their respective countries also put a great deal of preparation into possibly being chosen as a host city.

Among the mountains of paperwork, media attention, structural capacity, and required support of Olympic committees, cities also need to create a logo. While it seems insignificant, Olympic logos seem to draw so much attention that they can seem to sway the public’s opinion about where the international games should be held. It is currently 2008, and discussion over not the next Olympics Logos, but that of 2016 has already begun.

There are four final applicants for the summer games of 2016. Chicago, Rio, Tokyo, and Madrid. Each of which has already created an initial logo for their potential Olympic events.

Which is your favorite art inspired Google logo?

Nora Reed — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 21:24:03 +0000

Most companies looking for a branding solution will toss and turn losing sleep over the most minute details of their company logo. What many of them are looking for is the “perfect” logo that will be universally recognized. What they don’t realize is that while a logo does help you get noticed, it is the product that really sets you apart. To find that perfect balance it makes sense to look where you find the answer to almost every other question looming today, Google.

While Google was revolutionizing how users navigate the internet, they were also changing the face of their business. Google’s homepage is incredibly simple, incorporating only the their logo, a single search bar, and a handful of hyperlinks. Even with this primitive design users continually flock to the most popular search engine on the internet. Why? because image isn’t everything.

While you may not be able to search for why Google’s logo is successful, you can certainly see it. Google has been known to change its logo possibly more than any other company the public has seen.

Google has kept their logo’s general shape the same, but simultaneously proven that finer parts of a logo really don’t matter. By offering one of the most reliable search engines, with competitive accuracy and volumes of data, Google established itself as a dominant player on the net. Now they have the ability to play with their image, keeping it fun, creative, and interesting; all reflections of Google’s strengths.

Whether it be holidays, current events, seasons, celebrity birthdays, or just random artwork, Google has the opportunity to change the face of their company. Here are some of my personal art inspired favorites. Vote on your favorites:

LogoBlog Poll 20 – Best Internet Browser Logo

Nora Reed — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 10:56:06 +0000

And the rivalry has pushed us on to new heights… Yeah. Firefox has undeniably shown a really impressive performance and it has been voted as the best web browser that features pop-up blockers, tabbed browsing, and increased security.

This time LogoBlog Poll 20 was about the best internet browser logo design and we already knew who is going to win… anyway…sigh…

Mozilla Firefox- The Best in all (46 votes)

Apart from the darn good internet browser that it is, Firefox’s branding and logo design have been one of the hottest buzzwords in the cyberspace. How cool is that fox in the logo that took the world of internet by fire spell!

Got 46 votes, OMG! Firefox does it all! Again and again…

Internet Explorer and Safari- Battle of the Brands (17 votes)

Despite both sides making acidic remarks against each other, they finish the game with an equal number of votes; 17.

Netscape: Is it dead? (1 vote)

Once used by 80 percent of the Internet users, Netscape has failed to get more than one vote in the Firefox-dominated era.

Opera: Web 2.0 Logos rock… (4 votes)

Opera web 2.0 logo is creative and beautifully depicts the “O”. Overall, I like it but I think it could have been much better.

Have fun everyone! See you all in the LogoBlog Poll 21!

LogoBlog Poll 19 – News Channel logos

Nora Reed — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:48:49 +0000

OK… ready? We are closing the LogoBlog Poll 19 which was about the best news channel logo. Here are the much-awaited results:

Fox News- Good News for Fox News (23 votes)

Fox News! Good Luck. Congratulations… You guys finally won the LogoBlog Poll 19. Your logo was really good and you deserved to win. The best logo designs are always simple and Fox News logo was the perfect and charismatic blend of two mesmeric colors, red and blue.

BBC News and Al Jazeera- They agreed at least (17 votes)

Oops! They are seen together for the first time… First time on earth? Yo. BBC News and Al Jazeera Logos, being arch rivals in the game for past few years, tied for the second place.

CNN- Will CNN be there to cover this story? (15 votes)

Obviously not. Guess why? Because they can not tolerate standing second to the BBC News logo.

Sky News- First for breaking news… (6 votes)

They are “first for breaking news” but fourth for the LogoBlog Poll. Aye. Skies give thanks to the 6 people who thought Sky News logo was awesome…

France 24- You are still good (4votes)

I think four votes are still good considering your audience is being limited to Europe and Africa. Isn’t it?

Star News- A “two-star” Channel?! (2 votes)

This is not my opinion. That’s what the democracy says… Yeah, Star News got only two votes.

Anyways. Have fun everyone! See you all in the LogoBlog Poll 20!

LogoBlog Poll 18 – Hollywood studio logos

Nora Reed — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 08:45:54 +0000

A lion roaring through a loop of a film, a mountain peak ringed by stars or Lady Liberty holding her torch aloft are few emblems, which speak about the significance of logos for Hollywood. Nowadays all the corporations, products, services, agencies and other entities use a sign or emblem as their logo to achieve a unique identity. A logo is not just an image; it is the embodiment of an organization. For some seventy years, these logos or trademarks have introduced audiences to the cinematic delights to follow.

Last month a poll was held on Logoblog, to find out which of the top Hollywood studio logo is more captivating and appealing for the viewers. Our selection comprised of some of the most pioneering logos of Hollywood industry such as Miramax, Paramount, Dreamworks, Disney, Columbia, MGM and Warner Bros.

Well, the competition has been very tough among these big names of Hollywood. Dreamworks and Disney being the oldest surviving Hollywood film company logo, have a tie each getting 21% of total votes. Paramount logo with 19% and MGM with 14% of votes also prove their fame among audience. Followed by Miramax, Columbia and Warner Bros each getting 4%, 7% and 13% votes, respectively.

Dreamworks Logo is an artistic display of glamor, style and sophistication while the impudent Disney logo with a Mickey Mouse holding the clapboard, is a revolutionary emblem in itself. Both the logos has indeed been redesigned a number of times, but did not loose their effectiveness and popularity. Being the most chic, friendly and modern logos of Hollywood industry they are recognized worldwide.

The results show your interest for the polls on our LogoBlog is really hotting up, and I want to thank everyone who has voted on the previous categories.

Congratulations to the Dreamworks Logo and Disney Logo for winning the LogoBlog Poll!

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LogoBlog Poll 17 – Publishing House / Company Logo

Nora Reed — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 08:20:55 +0000

Writing and publishing is a lucrative and demanding job. Not only it is a powerful medium through which perceptions can be changed, but also, it can be a delightful source for making people entertained and relaxed. But with so many publishing houses and companies existing in the markets worldwide, not to mention the availability of countless books each year, book lovers tend to overlook an important aspect of a book, and i.e. the publisher’s logos. This particular element, the publisher’s logo, is an imperative symbol used in books by publishing houses and companies to make sure that none pirate or re-distribute the published work. It is also employed to safeguard the company’s credibility and books’ authority in the market. Hence, last poll at LogoBlog focused on the publisher’s logos that appear expressive as well as attractive.

Our selection of such logos comprised of Bloomsbury, Random House, Harper Collins, Simon & Schuster, Barnes & Nobles and Scholastic logos. The fact that these publishing houses and companies are some of the biggest in the world, and also, many people are acquainted with their logos made us short list them.

As for the results, Bloomsbury came first in the list by getting 24% of the total votes (it seems Harry Potter did play its magic for Bloomsbury). Next in line, we have a tie between Harper Collins and Barnes & Nobles each having 20% votes; followed by Scholastic, Random House and Simon & Schuster each getting 16%, 12% and 8% votes, respectively.

The Bloomsbury logo is an artistic representation of a feminine figure shooting an arrow. The bow in the Bloomsbury logo depicts the letter ‘B’, obviously referring to Bloomsburg and the leaping figure in the logo can be related to the forward thinking and the expansion of the company.

So, congratulations to the Bloomsbury logo for winning the LogoBlog Poll.

Bloomsbury Publishing Plc is an independent publishing house based in London, UK famous for its literary novels like Harry Potter series.