Pentagram is OUT of touch.
Out of context: Reply #46
- Started
- Last post
- 53 Responses
- showpony0
I agree with a lot of what d_rek had to say. The thicks and thins would fall apart when reduced. The gradient isn't adding anything formally or conceptually, and obviously has some reproduction considerations in print applications. If it's just there for decoration, why is the "b" the only thing that's modeled? It's speaking a different visual language from the base (because it's modeled and the base is flat), and is making it feel disjointed.
They've combined 3 different type styles (san serif for the b, serif with a filament for the base, and and humanistic serif for the circle type). Though it's certainly not a prerequisite that a combination mark use all the same typographic language, it's creating a tension that isn't pleasing.
It seems a little odd that the "b" used for this execution has an x height that's as tall as it is, because it makes the logo not have bilateral symmetry. Obviously, bilateral symmetry isn't a prerequisite of a logo. There are plenty of asymmetric logos that hold together just fine, but this feels off to me, and I think that that's a contributing factor.
@non, I'll concede that this last point is subjective, but the first 2 points are all but beyond refute. Maybe I'm missing something? I'm certainly open to having my mind changed, but it seems pretty clear that there are some formal issues with the mark, no?