Discussing what constitutes a good logo, is as safe as discussing what makes up a great cup of tea.
In the latter, it's anything from the leaf structure, to the mountain elevation in which the shrub is grown, to the fermemtation process of the dry leaf, the water in which it is brewed, the milk you add, to the ritual (and crockery used) in serving the beverage. Tastes change, and ultimately it's the end user's perception rather than the 'tea taster's' that is relevant.
The Vancouver logo could add some perspective. It wasn't "awarded' to an agency, but was the result of a competition opened to the public, in the early spirit of, you know, user-generated content. There too, people weren't happy. (It was called the 'offspring of the Michelin Man, among other things!)
But there was a difference. In Vancouver, it was the design community that protested most. In the UK it was the hoi polloi that was livid--who said the logo looked like "two characters from The Simpsons engaged in a sexual act!"
Vancouver threw the logo design open to anyone. The brief specified that the logo must."
- Capture and reflect the unique image and spirit of Canada, Vancouver and Whistler
- Capture both Canada's passion for winter sport, and the energy and excitement of the Olympic Winter Games
- Reflect Canada's love and commitment towards our spectacular natural environment
- Embody Canadaâs values and aspirations, celebrating our diversity and inclusiveness
- Provide a broad symbolic platform for interpretive storytelling â an emblem that can convey a range of meanings
The winners explained that it represented the "inukshuk" or that which stands in the capacity of a person" -- a sort of a guide to help people find their way through the
wilderness. It stands for friendship in Inuktitut.
What does the London logo stand for? It was left to Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the 2012 Olympic commitee, who defending it saying:
"We don't do bland. This is not a bland city"
That's it?
Joe Gomez, from the UK sent me this, calling it an ill-fitting jigsaw, and a broken window that is"jagged and wobbly to look good on their laptops, mobiles and TV screens."
If Sebastian Coe is the equivalent of the 'tea taster,' I would rather trust Joe Public -you know, people like Joe.
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