NOW That's What I Call a Logo!

I watched a documentary the other night about the development of Virgin Records, and the "NOW That's What I Call Music" compilation albums. I've personally never known a time when these CD's haven't been around; and when I seen the graphics for the first few records I was shocked. The reason I was shocked was because the logo they used for a few of the records is sooo much cooler than the crap they use now. But why is it crap? Because there's no feeling behind it, there's no personality. It's just 3D rendered button pushing crap.

So, I done some research, and found that my favourite of all the records was number 9 (above). The simplicity of it is great, the comparison between this and a more recent one (also above) is laughable. I spent an hour or so re-rendering this original logo, and I'm convinced it still looks better.

When it comes to logo's nowadays, lots of big companies are switching to more simplistic and sophisticated logos (a great example is ITV), and for good reason: It's just better. It has character. 3D often looks tacky.

Digital Swiss Collage

And here is the final one. I think it'll be nice once printed out full size with supporting media. I'm really pleased with it actually, it's been a lot of work, but rewarding at the same time. It's been nice to finally get some real Graphic Design work done. What I mean by that is, I've enjoyed doing my final major project very much, designing Typefaces has been an interesting learning curve and I'll probably visit the techniques I've learned again in the future. And while I've enjoyed it, I still enjoy putting the supporting design work towards it better. I think it's improved my view of Typefaces, I understand them differently now.

Supporting Poster (Part 2)

Here are a couple of alternatives, the one with inverted colour is the most interesting, I especially like the look of the mountain in that colour scheme. The white smoke leaving the rectangles is also a nice effect. The top image is just an earlier version with less elements, and the one below is the cross like shape I created, to represent the cross for Switzerland.

GQ Cover Mock-Up

Starting with the original.

In an earlier post I mentioned how the first Typeface I created was more abstract in certain characters than others, in particular the G & Q. Which got me thinking...coincidence? Or fate? Haha, no but really I tried applying the GQ logo with my own Font, then I changed aspects about it. Eventually I started to actually change the Typeface itself, changing the positions of the cross bars and finally cutting sections out to improve legibility. Essentially it is still the same Typeface I started with, it still reflects the key principles I set out with on creating it: Simplicity & Geometry. It's interesting how my final result has something of the original in it, perhaps it's the natural curvature of it.

Personal Branding

I've had a jab a personal branding today, it's turned out alright I guess. But, there's only so much you can do with Photoshop, so I think I'll try and get that stamp laser cut. Then I can do it for real, and I think I could look quite good, for business cards and other promotion material.

The Typefaces I've used are Caviar Dreams for my initials and Futura for the other, I think they work really well together and I'll remember this pairing for future projects.