Opinions
June 4th marked the launch of the new London 2012 Olympic logo and it didn’t take long for the controversy to begin. I’d already fielded a number calls and emails before lunch from friends, designers and even the media. My inbox is filled with emails about the subject from various GDC designers across the country—some even wondering if the whole thing isn’t a hoax. Most hate the logo, claiming it’s too silly, trendy and irrelevant. Others argue that it’s edgy and fresh - sort of a new friendly punk-graffiti take on London’s identity—and will appeal to a more youthful audience. I say we’ll need some time to see how this unusual logo is actually used before history judges it fairly. I’ll certainly be watching with a keen designer’s eye.
I’ll admit that like many of my colleagues, my first impression of the London 2012 logo wasn’t particularly positive. I think I understand what the designers were going for, but the combination of ultra simplified forms, typography and psychedelic colour choices seem less like a “design for the Internet generation” and more of a graphic heavily influenced by recent graphic design trends such as eighties fashion. And if the logo is supposed to represent a stylized character as some have suggested, it’s a bit too obscure for most.
Hating this logo seems a very popular bandwagon to jump onto—some even claiming it could cause epileptic seizures, but I tried to reserve judgment until after doing some reading and watching the videos on their website and after some consideration of how this brand could be applied I started to see some potential in it. Sure, the graphic looks like an eighties videogame icon, but as some have observed, it’s certainly not boring, is very flexible as a solution and contains some interesting dynamism, portraying a brave visual expression of the unique attitude of a vibrant new London. It’s a bold departure from what one would expect of an Olympic logo: a reflection of that city’s cultural heritage or most well-known landmarks combined with the primary colour pallet of the official Olympic logo. But is it an appropriate logo for a city such as London and an event as serious as the Olympics?
I’m uncertain what the contents of the Creative Brief included in terms of strategy, audience and messaging, but I have heard that the design firm of Wolff Olins were hired after a careful selection process—not an open speculative contest—and paid handsomely for their expertise, so one has to assume they were given clear direction from the planning committee. I’m sure many would considered this logo a success if the primary goal was to create an abstract expression of the diversity and individuality of Londoners, unlike some Olympic logos that focus too narrowly on visual language representing a fraction of a city’s population. Is it actually better than the controversial Vancouver 2010 logo? I think so actually. It’s certainly not worse. And it may just grow on all the nay-sayers over time.
In our business you’ll never produce a graphic design solution that everyone will universally approve of, but is the London 2012 logo “good design”? Well, that has yet to be seen perhaps. As with anything executed to be immediately fashionable, it’s questionable whether it will stand the test of time or become a classic. It most certainly won’t be universally hailed as brilliant, but I doubt it will be judged as bollocks in due time. Congratulations Wollf Olins for being so brave.
For more information on the new Lodon 2010 brand, check out their main website, though for a more unbiased look at the reaction to the launch, check out BBC coverage and the reaction on the BBC Sport blog.
Posted by Mark Busse on June 4, 2007
Inspirations
Young at Heart is by far the best documentary I have seen in a long time.
It follows the Young @ Heart Chorus, learning new songs for their upcoming show. The difference with this group is that they are all aged 80 and up. This is not just a bunch of oldies singing songs from their youth, they cover songs by Radiohead, Sonic Youth, Buzzcocks and Bruce Springsteen.
Watching a 92 lady singing “Should I stay, or should I go” initially is a little humorous, but as that subsides you start to take the chorus seriously and get caught up in the charm, energy and pure will power of these elderly people to perform.
The chorus is led by Bob Cilman, who at times comes across as hard on the ‘elderly’ folk, but it is what a director must do to get the group ready in time for their performance. The members feel he is a little harsh on them at times, but respect him for that. You also get to see how much he cares and respects the members and his commitment to taking the chorus seriously and wanting them to succeed.
The documentary is charming and inspiring. If you are suffering from any small aches and pains the documentary puts your life suddenly into perspective.
Watch the trailer.
Posted by Matt SamyciaWood
There’s a new book that’s been published by maomao publications called Blogs, Mad about Design, featuring profiles and screenshots from more than 250 blogs about design-related topics—including this blog. Sort of a compendium of sorts. But is it really?
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Posted by Mark Busse
Icograda has formally announced Design Week 2010 to be hosted by GDC in Vancouver with official event profile information on their website.
Posted by Mark Busse
A little while ago my wife and I were in a restaurant. For some random reason I suddenly wondered what the difference was between ‘assume’ and ‘presume’. I asked the waitress if she knew, she didn’t. To our surprise a few minutes later she returned with a printout of the definition she had just looked up online (great customer service).
Here is the difference.
Assume: To accept something to be true without question or proof:
‘I assumed (that) you knew each other because you went to the same school’.
Presume: To believe something to be true because it is very likely, although you are not certain:
‘I presume (that) they’re not coming, since they haven’t replied to the invitation’.
Well, there you have it.
Posted by Matt SamyciaWood
I love when “research” time comes around at the office. It gives me a valid excuse to do what I clandestinely do the rest of the week: Surf the Internet. We’re deep into work on an architectural firm and researching all things architectural and found a documentary on West Coast Modernism called “Coast Modern: Open space, modern mind.” . It seems to fall in the footsteps of Helvetica and Objectified. No real information on the website about official release, though the blog talks of a fall release. Can’t wait to see it!
Posted by Steve Mynett
Likemind is gaining momentum in Vancouver, with over 200 members on its Facebook Group. Events the each 3rd Friday of each month, with the next gathering on June 19th at Elysian Coffee’s new location at 590 West Broadway, between Cambie and Ash. Bring your travel mug and be prepared to taste some of the finest coffee being brewed in Vancouver while enjoying casual conversation with likeminded professionals from a myriad of backgrounds and industries. If you miss the event, you can check out photos on Flickr and follow the conversation on Twitter.
Please spread the word and come join us for a coffee!
Posted by Mark Busse
Daniel Packard is a professional dating coach.
He won the National College Speaker of the Year in 2007, and from the video samples on the website I understand why. His style is funny, upfront, a little crazy but also caring and informed. Watch this video titled “Horny guy and nice guy…It’s the same guy” and you will see him in action.
Posted by Matt SamyciaWood
Mark Thomas is a UK comedian. He uses intelligence, research, wit and great editing resulting in a very funny and poignant message.
Watch him take on MacDonalds
Then there is just the downright silly and immature
Then there is the political, for example his stand against the Arms Trade
Posted by Matt SamyciaWood
Though a relatively famous short film, I saw C’était un rendez-vous by french director Claude LeLouch for the first time this morning. In short, it’s an 8 minute tour through Paris by way of a camera strapped onto the front of sports car, allegedly a Ferrari, going by all accounts somewhere between 140-200 miles/hour. The official story was that an unnamed Formula 1 driver was at the wheel, while it has also been suggested that LeLouch himself was at the wheel and later overdubbed the sound of the Ferrari to finish the film.
Regardless, it’s a fun watch of a high speed romp through Paris! (via Scout Magazine)
Posted by Steve Mynett
If you’re familiar with ‘Inbox Zero‘ from 43 Folders you’re already aware of how problematic emails can be. How many emails do you have in your inbox? How many have you been putting off because the response is too long? Check out five.sentenc.es. The concept is to get people to respond to emails like they would a SMS message. Short and right away. In this case in under 5 sentences.
There also sites from the same family called four.sentenc.es, three.sentenc.es and two.sentenc.es.
Posted by Steve Mynett
All designers should have learned this so long ago that it’s already been forgotten and therefore in need of a refresher so I offer you The 10 Commandments of Dieter Rams. His design, and design principals, have influenced a generation of designers including Jonathan Ives who’s designs at Apple sometimes show a striking resemblance to those of Rams.
Posted by Steve Mynett
A business card is an important marketing tool, but a great business card is one that you never forget. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Which card do you prefer? Subtle or maybe not so much? Mind you one of these business cards took 25 years to design.
Posted by Alex Leynes
I recently learnt about this company whilst watching Extreme Makeover Home Edition.
The e-log has a foam core skinned in real wood. Compared to regular log homes, e-log is cheaper, better for the environment and better insulates your home.
A great product, check out their site.
Posted by Matt SamyciaWood
Big news in the web world as Typekit was launched last week. For those of you who missed news of the launch, it serves to bridge the copyright issues associated with the CSS3 Property @font-face (hotly debated issue among foundries and developers recently). Solutions like sIRF and Cufon have greatly pushed the industry in this direction and, while we have used them on projects, they have limitations, particularly when it comes to body copy. The hole with @font-face is that it makes it possible for the end user to download the font in question, which in virtually every instance violates the license.
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Posted by Steve Mynett
Those who know me know I’m a real sucker for live music. I play it, listen to it, live it…hell, I’d eat it is it were possible. The Vancouver International Jazz Festival is just around the corner this summer featuring some great concerts that we wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to hear. There are some big names coming through town playing the big venues (Sonny Rollins, Jimmy Cobb, Jose Gonzales and the Pink Martini Orchestra) but for me the best shows are always the ones at smaller venues. The sound and atmosphere is better, place I think music (especially jazz) isn’t really a concert music. You’re meant to be interacting with it (or someone on the dance floor) preferably with drink in hand.
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Posted by Steve Mynett
Design company Turner Duckworth (clients include Amazon, Coca-Cola, Virgin Atlantic and Palm) recently designed Honey Packaging for Waitrose supermarket in the UK. “Bee or honey twizzler - whatever you see, it makes you want toast and honey” says the London and San Fransico design firm.
Simple and clever.
The Duckworth site is a little clunky, but it was interesting to read that their London and San Francisco studios collaborate on every project. “Work flows freely between each to give clients a rich and nuanced perspective from both sides of the Atlantic”.
On the Waitrose site there is a value added page about their Scottish heather honey, an interesting read.
Posted by Matt SamyciaWood
The new movie by Disney Pixar ‘UP‘ is worth writing about. Not only because it was my first ever 3D movie but the storytelling is fantastic. It deals with the subject of death, love, integrity, friendship and loyalty with subtlety and respect whilst delivering many laughs. It is a great package of emotions. Finally, the quality of the animation is amazing.
Also, check out the trailer for Toy Story 3. Again, the quality of story telling is well done. Even if you have never seen any of the Toy Story movies you are introduced to the different characters and their personalities but more so to the rivalry between Woody and Buzz which is the crux of the movies.
Posted by Matt SamyciaWood
I had the opportunity a few years ago to design juice labels for Happy Planet. Yesterday on a hot sunny day I enjoyed a chilled ‘Extreme Purple’ (it was so good). On review of their website I discovered they have grown as a company, now offering a variety of drinks and soups. Great quality produce makes for a great product. They are also heavily involved in supporting the community and over the years have donated in excess of one million bottle of juice.
Posted by Matt SamyciaWood
Things have been buzzing around the office lately but we found some time to do our once a month, once every few months newsletter. Think one part news, a dash of foodists culture, and one big giant bee plus our usual array of inspiration and banter. Check it out!
Posted by Steve Mynett
There’s an old saying about 15 minutes of fame—that “all publicity is good publicity, as long as they spell your name right.” Well maybe my appearance this week on ESPN’s Jim Rome is Burning was the closest thing to my 15 minutes, but they mispronounced my first name (Mike?) and got my title wrong, listing me as an “industrial designer” as opposed to a designer from Industrial Brand. Oh well, at least I looked like a badass in my photo with flames in the background (fames to light my spliff with perhaps?). I hope fame doesn’t change me.
Posted by Mark Busse
Darren Clarke (June 5th, 2007)
New London 2012 Logo: brilliant or bollocks?
Bollocks.
And they might even belong to Bart…
Zac (June 5th, 2007)
Bollocks
TJ (June 5th, 2007)
Its one bollock
Jon Whipple (June 5th, 2007)
Brilliant. But not because it’s a knockout like Sophia Loren, but because it’s the harbinger of a new way like Marlon Brando. It’s a reconception of what the Olympic Games are and what international sporting events are becoming. There’s more of an analysis at the GDC BC blog
Mark (June 6th, 2007)
This looks absolutely terrible…I’m from Vancouver myself, and I don’t think ours is a great representation of the city, but at least it’s aesthetically pleasing. The London 2012 logo looks like scrunched up pieces of garbage on a sidewalk. I see little reference to ‘london’ or the Olympics, I don’t know what the dot in the middle is supposed to be, and I know for a fact that nobody (in this city anyway) would wear something that bizarre. It doesn’t appeal to young people either - it just looks childish and unprofessional.
Linda R. Smith (June 6th, 2007)
Like WOW, total flashback from the ’80s “mon”…
http://www.denningesolutions.com/80s_logo.html
(closest example I found on google)
BOG ROLL!
Kevin Brome (June 8th, 2007)
The response over at Wolff Olins appears to be optimistic. ;)
Bev (June 8th, 2007)
The stylized numbers (2012) are cleverly designed, IMO, although I’m not crazy about the colours they’ve chosen.
Maybe the colours are to remind us that this is “crazy, cool London”…kind of a throwback to the Twiggy years. It contains all the information one needs and presents each number in it’s slightly off-kilter position with the dot in the centre as the ‘pin’ holding it all together. Not nearly as bad as all the hoopla suggests.
Jrew (June 9th, 2007)
I think the logo sucks, Where is the sense of Nationalism? The only thing english about the logo is the “London” type. Read this, it talks about the logo and its lacks of nationalism
K (June 14th, 2007)
I’ve heard people comment on how it looks like Lisa Simpson (her head with the olympic rings) on here knees doing the nasty.
Siong (June 21st, 2007)
I think it was absolutely terribly done. The highly stylised 2012 cannot even be discerned when blown up. In fact, I could not even tell it was 2012 until I looked at it closer. Also, there are reports that there is not enough contrast between the colours in each of the four versions to accommodate colour-blindness. I really do feel that, with a style this trendy, that it only appeals to a rather specific subculture, which explains the tremendous amount of backlash. This alone, I feel, has alienated the very notion of the Olympic games. It is a nay for me.
However, I have to add that, as a logo, this is certainly a memorable one, albeit one that *might* have sour connotations in the long run. Who knows, it might also be remembered as that subversive one that sparked a whole slew of ideas and renewed the Olympics spirit.
Respiro Media (July 1st, 2007)
New London 2012 Logo: brilliant or bollocks? Bollocks. Unfortunately, not even a cheap one…
Jonathan Salem Baskin (July 5th, 2007)
What if the entire sorry chain of events were part of a thoughtful strategy to engage with consumers…not in some generic, ‘awareness is everything’ Web 2.0 exercise in wasting our time, but a planned campaign with a direction and ultimate purpose (i.e. selling tickets, raising corporate money, driving viewers to the events)?
I’ve written that fantasy business case history at http://dimbulb.typepad.com.
Were it only true…
stu ross (August 10th, 2007)
Brilliant. I can’t remember when an Olympic logo grabbed so much attention. It carves through other “aesthetically pleasing” Olympic IDs. “It surprised me when I first saw it, I hope to be continually surprised. It’ll come alive in execution.
Rick (September 9th, 2007)
Here is my cartoon suggesting how a $800,000 logo might actually get created. Click my name link above and check it out! Please digg if you like it!
Jay (September 15th, 2007)
One thing that really baffles me about this design, is the fact it is just so depressingly retro.
How can a piece that is so firmly rooted in an old style, be remotely considered to be a design that can be considered ‘modern & edgy’?
however - what really really really really REALLY bakes my noodles is that it was most likely done by someone who spent years at a very well known design school, got paid a massive commission for it, where there’s struggling design Pupils across the country who could benefit from the over inflated charges that would be gained in a professional design establishment.
Desktop Publisher = Graphics Designers Monkey (October 18th, 2007)
Bollocks! More like a slanted rip off of never mind the bollocks.
This pseudo Punk, Street London elblem representing the beating vibrant heart of london is a bit off the mark. Maybe it would work for Xgames or a Pistols reuniuon. Maybe even a David Bowie ‘Let’s Dance T-Shirt’
But to use it to represent an ancient greek contest of skill and atheleticism it doesn’t (Unless breakdancing is and olympic sport). I get that it supposed to show our London as a contemporary and dynamic venue for the games.
It looks better when it’s amnimated.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJSsRILZpRg
Canada have played safe with the winter olympics, looks a bit like barcelona 92. It may not represent the full demographic, but London hasn’t been full of safety pin wearing rubber clad Carnaby Street dwellers for a long time.
To surmise it’s bollocks!!!
Matt SamyciaWood (October 30th, 2008)
Personally I don’t mind the logo but 50,152 people would disagree. Check out http://www.gopetition.co.uk (change the London 2012 logo). These are heir words:
We, the undersigned, wish to express our concern with the new Olympic logo for the 2012 London Olympics.
The logo is poorly designed at an unacceptable expense.
We therefore ask that the logo be withdrawn and replaced with a more appropriate logo.