The Best Thing to Come From London?
There’s been a small, increasing storm rising from across the pond. It’s a bit like watching a cold front bustle across the corn fields in my back yard – with the rolling sound of thunder and lightning flashes – and it’s starting to frighten me.
On June 5th, the new logo for the London 2012 Olympic Games was unveiled for the world. And from what I can tell, the response has been nothing but complete disdain and hostility toward the $800,000 brand mark. Many of the malicious responses center around the hideous, abstract design and the color scheme – similar to the pop culture graphics from the mid-1980′s. Check out Seth Godin’s remarks. He and his readers make some pretty good comments.
Now, I grew up in the 80′s, so I have a certain appreciation for the innovation and discovery that took place then. From an image standpoint, we were introduced to logos and icons with lasting vision and value like Apple, and Nike. On the other hand, even Apple has changed with the times.
So what happened to the design team and committee that was developing this tripe?
I’m saddened when I think of the world’s athletes that have put so much effort and time into achieving the honor of competing in the Olympics having to walk around the Olympic Village slathered with a logo that looks like they just got back from a Duran Duran concert. What will the medals look like – Swatches? (c’mon, I had at least five… and wore them all at the same time!)
My heart goes out to weightlifters, boxers and the sort… Maybe you’ll get Duran Duran’s Greatest Hits in your gift baskets – or maybe a cool “bangs flip” hair-do makeover…
Take a look for yourself. Think about how Seb Coe describes the “vision” behind their new brand mark… And then let me (and the world) know what you think.
Keep Cooking!
Andrew
June 9th, 2007 at 9:39 pm
Andrew, I really disliked it at first because I didn’t get that it was a stylized “2012.” It just looked like a convoluted mess. I agree it looks very 80′s, but right now my only real criticism is that I think the way they’ve incorporated the word “London” and the Olympic rings looks very after-thoughty and slipshod. Otherwise, I don’t loathe it like many others seem to. I pointed out in my Thursday post this past week that at least it will be memorable, unlike so many of the past Games logos.
June 10th, 2007 at 9:59 am
Yes, Janet. Memorable would be a good description for it. But what kind of memories? If it’s supposed to be a reflection of London games and its participants, what kind of image (brand) are they going to be “stuck with”?!?
Thanks for your comments!
Keep Cooking!
Andrew
May 20th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
[...] me back up about four years… If you haven’t read it yet, I did a blog post (June 2006) about the incredibly ill-conceived logo designed for the London 2012 Olympics. Saying: “I’m [...]
August 25th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
[...] me back up about four years… If you haven’t read it yet, I did a blog post (June 2006) about the incredibly ill-conceived logo designed for the London 2012 Olympics. Saying: “I’m [...]