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plugz's picture
1244 pencils

London 2012 Olympics logo

I'd like your opinions on this that has been chosen as the official logo of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Check out the brand site: http://www.london2012.com/

Commenting on this Image is closed.

ireid's picture
1283 pencils

Pointed oout to me that its '2012' (the 4 shapes)

but what the f***?!?

"Try not, Do! or do not, there is no try."
-Yoda

ipure's picture
160 pencils

now i see.. the odd shapes are 2012... in a 80 style vomit...

mara06's picture
2549 pencils

Yikes. I'm speechless. Almost.

Here's what they think this logo says, among lots of other quotable things:

"It symbolises the Olympic spirit and the ability of the Games to inspire people to take part - not just as spectators, but as volunteers, in the Cultural Olympiad and more."

I must be hitting the absinthe a little too hard. Or rather, not hard enough, 'cause I just don't see all that. Oy.

Mara

melange's picture
134 pencils

Does anyone know the design firm that did this? it's just awful. If that's the Olympic spirit, remind me to not watch it when it heads to London.

I mean, I'll give it to them, it's unique...but maybe no one's doing it for a reason...

life is great; without it, you'd be dead.

plugz's picture
1244 pencils

When I first saw it my heart literally sank.
I was sickened by the whole thing especially when I found out it cost £400,000 (USD$800,000), but it's not as bad as it seems.

It succeeds on several levels.
It WILL appeal to kids who are the core audience not only as they are the ones who could be competing but they are tomorrows consumers who will buy the branded merchandise.

It is a universal logo, it's not particularly dependant on language to communicate the message and it represents the four countries of the UK and London at the centre.

I think it will work.
I'll sleep on it and see if I agree with myself tomorrow.

sidesey's picture
280 pencils

I can see that it may appeal to kids, but if you hadn't said it was 2012 I never would have read that into it. Plus if it's used at a small size you wouldn't be able to read London. Not my cup o' tea that's for sure...

Ivan's picture

I like it because it breaks through. It looks like shattered glass in a kaleidoscope.

metro67's picture
4 pencils

It looks like Lisa Simpson giving a blowjob

ireid's picture
1283 pencils

Now THAT'S funny! it DOES look like that doesnt it!

heh, thought this was a family oriented forum! lol

"Try not, Do! or do not, there is no try."
-Yoda

ireid's picture
1283 pencils

"Try not, Do! or do not, there is no try."
-Yoda

"Try not, Do! or do not, there is no try."
-Yoda

metro67's picture
4 pencils

hahaha!

Daniel Hedman's picture
4 pencils

is it? you gotta be kiddin'..

ftrc's picture
145 pencils

it looks like a motley crue logo.

plugz's picture
1244 pencils
mercutiom's picture
23 pencils
sidesey's picture
280 pencils

Yea really like that one too, maybe then ricky gervais could be our mascot too! There was also another one where the rings were incorporated into the o, n etc which also worked quite well too, but needs a bit of work, it's here:

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/43006000/jpg/_43006855_james_wren_416.jpg

tastypopsicle's picture
5 pencils

As an American I have to say this is the crappiest thing I have ever seen and there's a lot of crap on this side of the pond. But apparently I'm not alone.

With that said I want to extend my thanks on behalf of all Americans for diverting attention away from our retarded government and overweight, Walmart society. News of this logo could not have made us happier. Perhaps we can make the logo the center of discussion for the next 5 years.

mercutiom's picture
23 pencils

Remember Izzy aka WhatIzIt fromt eh Olympics is Atlanta in 1996. The design that was soooo bad they couldn't even think of a name for it.

link: http://www.imcmascots.com/mascot-pages/olympics-mascots-izzy.htm

Life's too short to sleep.

natobasso's picture
3953 pencils

For the amount spent this is the WORST logo I've ever seen. Those colors have nothing at all to do with London and don't represent its rich history.

Bleagh!

----
Client: "can you guys make it more like a power-point presentation, you know, with the sliding text stuff and all?" (http://clientcopia.com/quotes.php?id=7)

plugz's picture
1244 pencils

London and it's rich history?
That's what we're trying to move away from.

This is a great city that is over 2000 years old, but until about twenty years ago it had been stuck in it's own history. London isn't the place of bowler hats and stuffy suits anymore, it's a vibrant world city that is rapidly changing and rebuilding itself.

If I see another logo with the Houses of Parliament or St Pauls Cathedral on I'll stab the designer.

I hated the previous logo for the bid. It was boring, unimaginative and bland.
This is something that is majorly different and exciting and as far as brands go, it's achieved the ultimate success in under 24 hours.
It's worldwide news. Everyone is seeing the logo, it's getting imprinted in everyone's heads and we all know that no publicity is bad publicity.

By the time this storm in a teacup has blown over they'll have a very strong brand and worldwide recognition, which, for an Olympic campaign is perfect.

panatlantica@drupal.org's picture
6 pencils

There is a site where they collect signatures against this piece of ****.
Early other nicknames for the logo by now include 'Gay swastika puzzle' and 'Tiswas disaster'. But the leading name really is 'Lisa Simpson giving head', like Metro already pointed out :-)
Go here to sign the petition asking the Olympic Commitee to rethink that, erm, they called it logo, right?

thornysarus's picture
926 pencils

Terrell Thornhill

e-zign Design Group

natobasso's picture
3953 pencils

Nice!

----
Client: "can you guys make it more like a power-point presentation, you know, with the sliding text stuff and all?" (http://clientcopia.com/quotes.php?id=7)

Sontar's picture
1 pencil

or is it just about getting the attention and changing it afterwards?

Ivan's picture


Source: kuteev

archmedia's picture
587 pencils

that's all that can be said.. priceless...

____________________________________________
Architectural Technician - Multimedia Designer
www.ArchMedia.us

sidesey's picture
280 pencils

Now that's a logo you would remember and it uses the speech bubble which is so 2007 and it appeals to kids and adults alike!!! Perfect!!!!!

plugz's picture
1244 pencils

You know what, I've had a day of living with it and I actually like it.

There have been loads of adverts in the papers today using the logo in different colours with added straplines for the sponsors and ti actually works REALLY well.

It's actually a very clever logo.
Very clever.

It takes a while to appreciate the subtle nuances, but the more you see it the more you'll appreciate it

I think they made a really really good call with this logo, they have my full support.

jollup's picture
6 pencils

It simply smacks of 80's vomit designs frequently seen on imported skateboards and "cool" european fanta-style drinks of the era.

It lacks sophistication, sensitivity, strength, refinement; and no you don't need the houses of parliament or Times New Roman for any of these. It is trying far too hard. I would love to see the designs that got rejected as I am sure that there was a far more suitable design there somewhere.

Anyone who like this logo instantly identifies themselves to all as having no taste, creative flair or understanding of brand. So to you all....

well done... We know how seriously to take your design criticism from now on...

You had better go back to start, do not pass GO! Do not collect £200.

The logo is an insult to designers everywhere.

plugz's picture
1244 pencils

It's not a bad logo.
It's a controversial logo but it's very success will be down to it's break with convention.

In my opinion, it's better than this:

Or any of these generic Olympic logos:



garyW's picture
143 pencils

sidesey's picture
280 pencils

http://www.olympic.org/upload/games/1968S_emblem_m.gif Mexico 1968
Quite like this, even now I think it works better than the new London one.

http://www.olympic.org/upload/games/1972S_emblem_m.gif Munich 1972 - really like this too.

Gary what's your opinion on the new London olympic logo? I love the Orange logo that Wolff Olins did, but although I must admit I don't hate our London effort, I think that something better could have been done for £400,000.

functioncreep's picture
135 pencils

http://www.wolffolins.com/files/Athens2004OlympicCommitteecase_study_web.pdf

Are any of our commentors actually from Britian? I mean, look at BURBERRY! Hideous, but completely overriding the fashion world. Maybe they know something about European culture that we don't.

And yeah, that London campaign logo with the flag was really safe and boring. Trust me, i know safe and boring.

iancorey's picture
94 pencils

Could it really be any worse than this?

archmedia's picture
587 pencils

it makes vancouvers logo 1000 times better now. i found that one generic, this is just wacked. and to think they got paid THAT much?!? that's just sick..

____________________________________________
Architectural Technician - Multimedia Designer
www.ArchMedia.us

sidesey's picture
280 pencils

http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/06/05/london-2012-is-ugly-but-its-not-the-worst-olympic-logo/

I gotta admit the new London one is better than Atlanta's effort, but only just!

cubus's picture
17 pencils

Strange colors, strange shape. Not really my style, but I'm sure it will do its job.

The only thing that bothers me, that - except for the olympic logo - it has nothing to do with the Olympics :). It's just a logo of something to happen in 2012.

ireid's picture
1283 pencils

Apparently the web animation is causing fits! Literally!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/6724245.stm

"Try not, Do! or do not, there is no try."
-Yoda

sidesey's picture
280 pencils

I can't beleive spending so much they didn't test it properly.

pokie's picture
1198 pencils

Does anyone know what the 2008 olympic logo looks like by any chance? Can you post it..?

Ivan's picture

I just love the Beijing logo.

archmedia's picture
587 pencils

the dancing man with the noodle legs... it cracks me up, but it's a hell of a lot nicer then the london logo...

____________________________________________
Architectural Technician - Multimedia Designer
www.ArchMedia.us

sidesey's picture
280 pencils

See above - plugz comment "That's a rather sweeping statement."

That's the Beijiing logo there.

Johnny's picture
27 pencils

I'm now aware of something I normally wouldn't give two poops about.

-Johnny

plugz's picture
1244 pencils
Senater_Cache's picture
8 pencils

I mean it is definately eye-cathching, not boring, actually represents the geography of the country and spells 2012.

I found it to read 2012 without anyone telling me in a matter of milliseconds.

It touches on London's more recent history, namely punk rock and acid colors.
I think it is great, but I do agree that the cost was a little overboard.

My buddy at VSA Partners Chicago was on the team for the Chicago 2016 logo and it was done pro-bono.

PS, Jollup you are a douche

mercutiom's picture
23 pencils

All I can say is....ACH!!!! my eyes!!! Burning, searing pain.....must rip from head and trample!!!! AAAHHHHH!!!!

Life's too short to sleep.

arvana's picture
111 pencils

I read somewhere that the logo will evolve as the event gets closer. Maybe it will gradually morph into a more streamlined and flowing form.

But you know what? This logo has already done an incredible job -- EVERYONE on the Internet (and beyond) now knows that the Olympics are in London in 2012. And that's in just one week of branding.

plugz's picture
1244 pencils

But you know what? This logo has already done an incredible job -- EVERYONE on the Internet (and beyond) now knows that the Olympics are in London in 2012. And that's in just one week of branding.

And this is the very reason I think it's utter genius.

dori's picture
31 pencils

At least I like it in all it's strangeness. And who knows what type of logos will be popular in 2012, perhaps the current trend then could be much more hideous, (web 2.5 anyone?).

Love it or hate it, I have never ever seen a brand become so widely spread in such a short time. Good job.

-----------------------------
:::: Dóri::::
http://sevenseven.wordpress.com

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:::: Dóri:::: http://www.77.is

Senater_Cache's picture
8 pencils

With brand strategy it is of foremost importance to make a lasting, rememberable, stand-outish mark. (of course variances apply to certain sectors) But it is almost true that visual appeal and "beauty" to the design crowd or anyone for that matter is simply icing on the cake.
form follows function.

Now arguably, with a logo representing an entire city, th erules are slightly different, but I welcome the fact that it departs from traditional, in my opinion rather boing looking Olympic logos of the past.

Ivan's picture

When a logo goes viral like this, it means it tapped into something. When was the last time you read so much about the logo? The last time I can recall a logo generated so much discussion was when quark relaunched theirs.

plugz's picture
1244 pencils

After it was an almost identical copy of one used by the Scottish Arts Council?

Edit: Just watched that video, that's brilliant!

sidesey's picture
280 pencils

Agree the video is good and the logo does look better in it than i thought, still not a huge fan of it though, but in five years i guess i might be... who knows?

plugz's picture
1244 pencils

I looked at it and thought it was pathetic at first, then a few hours later I realised I'd dismissed it out of hand and decided to do a creativebits style critique on it. Once I'd looked at it objectively, understood the concept, the intended use and the target audience it all made sense.

It's not the most aesthetic logo, but as a brand it's pretty incredible.
Compared to the majority of branded apparel for this type of event, I thing the merchandise that comes out of this campaign will be something pretty special, with almost infinite possibilities for how the design is used on the items.

The designer in me loves it.
The consumer in me is still a little unsure, but I have faith in the fact that the agency who created it share the same vision as I have in their brand guidelines.

dwf29's picture
4 pencils

Now the games will be remembered as "the ones with the funny logo" you'll never forget it! Tell me one Olympics where you remember the logo distinctly, in your head....I bet you don't!

plugz's picture
1244 pencils

I'm just pleased they got rid of the original bid logo.
I hated that with a passion.
The colours of the Olympic rings really aren't actually that pleasant, especially when run next to each other on large format decals.

Now there's a challenge...
Re-design the Olympic Games five rings device to update it, without damaging the brand.

sidesey's picture
280 pencils

and the video tweaked too. See it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJSsRILZpRg

plugz's picture
1244 pencils

I just had a seizure.
I'm suing you for the associated trauma suffered.

nanda's picture
182 pencils

hey any one can help me

(How to upload the creative on this it giving trouble here) i could not upload my creative

please please help me

natobasso's picture
3953 pencils

And the ugliness is trumpted even louder:
http://www.wolffolins.com/london2012.php

In jazz when you hit a 'bad note' you play it over and over again to make it look like you meant to do it. :)

----
Powerpoint is not a design application

mokenke's picture
315 pencils

Sometimes logos are a mystery. Art is a mystery. Beauty is a mystery. Ask the greeks.

mokenke

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