Pentagram is OUT of touch.
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- non0
Pentagram is not out of touch, you just don't understand how graphic design works.
- non0
^
Please explain what makes it a "bad" logo? And I'm not talking about your subjective opinion. Objectively, what makes it bad?
- d_rek0
@non
Being critical of the formal qualities -without context- one could argue that using a display type for a logotype is bad practice.
The thin stresses of the selected typeface will simply drop off to nothing when scaled too small.
The concept itself is fairly derivative and superficial (My tree for Berlin). We have a bold, extended letter be, gradated with color and rotated 90 degrees to become the foliage of the tree and what I assume is a letter 'I' from the same alphabet used in the logotype as the trunk.
While the simplicity of the idea is charming, the execution feels rudimentary - almost amateur - in nature.
Now, it's hard to really critique an identity without having a good understanding of the context of it. So we refer to the rationale provided by Pentagram: http://pentagram.com/en/new/2011…
"The logo is a bold sans-serif letter B (for Berlin and Baum) turned on its side to become an abstract tree. The logo is friendly and accessible, to make the idea appealing to the city’s residents."
While I agree the 'B-tree' is a friendly idea, i can't help but feeling it's a very pedestrian solution for a problem of diminishing trees from Berlin's cityscape. But then again, maybe it's a very pedestrian audience?
- non0
@d_rek
Display type as bad practice? Never herd that one before and would like to know more, if time allows.
I understand the case for the thin stresses and have to agree on that one, except if applied carefully. We all know that with "regular" clients, logos have to be almost bulletproof to retain their initial integrity. I'm guessing this might be a one off thing as the logo (as shown in the blog post) is used at a decent size and printed full color on a white stock.
As for being a superficial and derivative concept, one could also agree, but I think this might fall in the subjective category as I personally find the mark well crafted and iconic. It definitely might look a bit too "mature" at first, but I think the fact that it is will make this identity last longer than some more modern approaches.
- Superficial/derivati... meaning a tree is perhaps the most obvious solution.d_rek
- 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?
- 74LEO0
Agree with most posts here. Graphic Design is objective to the clients needs + your expertise as an advertiser/marketer in reaching the audience. If you reach the audience and the client is happy its well done. Get paid! move on!
There is always more than one solution to a problem. PENTAGRAM has an established presence.
- hektor9110
Stop it guys Paula Scher is my mother in law. I will tell! lol
- brains0
Oh Pentagram...
- i_monk0
Graphic design isn't advertising/marketing.
- dMullins0
This is the best design clinic I've read on the Qoob in a while. Bravo on keeping the spirit alive, folks.