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Geffrye Museum of the Home REBRAND
31 January 2020 
Hi MLE,
Of course, the old logo was looking a dated, but at least it had an idea. "Shadows," as found in the shadowed type, is not only something we have all seen before, but it's not really an interesting idea, at least not in the way it executed here.In application, the tone of voice is not clear. In the blue and orange cards, it's a bit edgy, jarring and somehow aggressive. In the more muted colours of the bus shelter ads, it's more approachable and subdued, like a different person.
Sadly, this is actually quite prominent museum here in East London, I do think it deserved better.
Or maybe I'm being too harsh? Maybe next time we talk, it will have grown on me. Or maybe not. Let's see... :)
More info here at Under Consideration
SuzanPosted in: identities -
NEW sears logo
25 May 2019 
Hello MLE,
As you may know, Sears announced a new logo on May 1st. Are they still in business? Well yes, their Canadian stores closed a few years ago, but about 400 of their American ones will remain open following a narrow escape from bankruptcy. Of course it's a bit of a "no-brainer" that the new logo looks like the AirBNB logo (middle icon above). However, having just read the rationale behind the Sears logo, and it seems that this rationale has been copied from the Habitat logo (bottom icon above), yet not executed as well:
The new icon was created to represent both home and heart, this shape also conveys motion through an infinity loop, reminiscent of one getting their arms around both home and life.
Well, at least not many Americans are familiar with Habitat. I wonder if this new logo is a sign things to come for Sears...
Suzan
Posted in: identities branding -
Classic Logos: CBS (1951)
18 August 2017 
Hi MLE,This week our classic logo is the CBS logo. It has always seemed a bit ominous to me, and I was quite interested to hear its story…It is based on the ‘all-seeing eye’ Hex symbols painted on Shaker barns in Pennsylvania Dutch country. I have never heard of these symbols, but some of them are lovely and they look great on their amazing barns.The in-house CBS creative director of Advertising and Sales Promotion worked with a graphic designer using the Hex symbol as a starting point and created ‘the eye,’ as well as two other routes were presented - and the eye was a clear winner.On October 20, 1951, CBS Television unveiled its new logo in station breaks voiced by various celebs: “keep your eye on this eye.”
SuzanPosted in: identities -
Classic Logos: Apple (1977)
14 July 2017 
Hello the MLE,
Ah yes, the ubiquitous Apple logo. It’s always ranking up there with the classic logos of all time, but is this is because it’s really such a great logo, or because everyone loves the Apple brand so much? I really enjoy speaking with clients years after we’ve created a logo for them, I’m always surprised to learn how much emotion is attached to it.Yes, believe it or not, that is the original Apple logo at the top of the post. Designed in 1976, it is Isaac Newton sitting under an apple tree, of course.It’s interesting that Steve Jobs went to the effort and expense of engaging an ad agency, just one year later to create a more businesslike logo. Evidently the brief was just, “don’t make it cute.”A bite was taken from the apple so that it didn’t look like a cherry. The coloured stripes were a reminder that the Apple II had a colour monitor. This logo was used from 1977 to 1998. After that all Apple design was done in-house and the colours were removed so that the logo could appear very large and not be too obtrusive.
SuzanPosted in: identities -
Classic Logos: Rolling Stones (1970)
3 March 2017 
Hello MLE,
Second in my series about logos which have stood the test of time... In 1970, Mick Jagger phoned the Royal College of Art (RCA) in London and asked them to recommend a student to design a poster for an upcoming tour. John Pasche met Jagger, designed the poster, and a few months laster Jagger phoned back asking for a logo.While Jagger was discussing the logo, Pasche “just had this idea.” The big red lips and tongue seemed perfect as Jagger wanted to wanted to encourage their bad boy reputation and it was blatantly anti-authoritarian. Evidently, it was just a coincidence that they also happened to resembled Jagger’s lips (in a not particularly flattering way, but Jagger did not mind).The logo was first used on the inner sleeve of Sticky Fingers. The cover art was by Warhol, leading many to believe he is also the logo designer.Pasche’s original artwork, a handprinted, 14 inch square, sold to the V&A at auction in 2000 for $92,500.
Have a nice weekend!
Suzan
Posted in: identities