Dusshera is here.
And good triumphs over evil. That should be the case for everything. Design included.
"Change is the nature of life but challenge is the future of life. So challenge the changes. Never change the challenges..." - writes Big B in one of his blogs. And inspite change being imperative at times, why do we miss out on the obvious - the 'delight' factor?
I am talking about the new Animal Planet logo and there's a definite buzz around on the net amongst the design community.
I read about the new Animal Planet logo to be unveiled, but was disappointed when I actually saw it on TV. Very unlike the former one, but far away from what designers would have expected.
We designers are all talking about it and you can find the details here:
http://digg.com/design/New_Animal_Planet_Logo_Has_Design_Community_Talking
http://www.designerstalk.com/forums/logo-brand-identity/32803-animal-planet-new-logo.html
www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/animals_gone_wild_sort_of.php
www.logodesignlove.com/when-is-bad-logo-design-good
However, their official statement says it's just a transition from 'family' to 'adult-oriented' viewing. I still wonder the connection between the new logo and this new positioning. The logo definitely evokes feelings... but the wrong ones.
Interestingly, the new logo is designed by Dunning Eley Jones , whose creative portfolio is quite commendable. And they have released an official statement, which you can read here:
http://www.dunningeleyjones.com/TBI_Animal_Planet_February_2008.pdf
It'd be interesting to know how the brief took shape in this new logo.
Now let's focus on the logo itself.
It's trying to get wild with its new identity, but misses on few basics of design and typography. Firstly, are the new 'adult' viewers expected to easily decipher the sleeping M? The weight difference across the word 'ANIMAL' makes it difficult to read. The 'N' and 'A' looks compressed than thin. And the watermark treatment on the TV screen makes the matter worse.
Definitely looks like one of those primitive typography projects that students do back in college. Looks constricted and contrived for reasons unknown to us.
Am sure there are multiple possibilities for creative manifestation for such an interesting project. The logo could have evolved into various phases step by step or could have a part in it whereby some animal's graphic could change alike google's logo.
Am talking about an evolving logo here. Depending upon the content of the program, that variable part of the logo can change and adapt to its surrounding to show relevance. Or can change according to seasonal themes.
However, their official statement says it's just a transition from 'family' to 'adult-oriented' viewing. I still wonder the connection between the new logo and this new positioning. The logo definitely evokes feelings... but the wrong ones.
Interestingly, the new logo is designed by Dunning Eley Jones , whose creative portfolio is quite commendable. And they have released an official statement, which you can read here:
http://www.dunningeleyjones.com/TBI_Animal_Planet_February_2008.pdf
It'd be interesting to know how the brief took shape in this new logo.
Now let's focus on the logo itself.
It's trying to get wild with its new identity, but misses on few basics of design and typography. Firstly, are the new 'adult' viewers expected to easily decipher the sleeping M? The weight difference across the word 'ANIMAL' makes it difficult to read. The 'N' and 'A' looks compressed than thin. And the watermark treatment on the TV screen makes the matter worse.
Definitely looks like one of those primitive typography projects that students do back in college. Looks constricted and contrived for reasons unknown to us.
Am sure there are multiple possibilities for creative manifestation for such an interesting project. The logo could have evolved into various phases step by step or could have a part in it whereby some animal's graphic could change alike google's logo.
Am talking about an evolving logo here. Depending upon the content of the program, that variable part of the logo can change and adapt to its surrounding to show relevance. Or can change according to seasonal themes.
On second thoughts, the logo looks chiseled out of a rectangle form, making it look like 'logo with jaws'.
And finally don't miss this piece of promotional video on youtube -
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=6hf3DRoDZfg
I welcome your comments on my views about the new Animal Planet logo.
I welcome your comments on my views about the new Animal Planet logo.
