For some God knows why reason this web site is getting tons of traffic for the search term 'Comic Sans Batman'. It links through to the article Andy wrote last year and whilst we are always grateful for a little exposure, I did wonder why this term in particular seems to yield results at the moment. I Googled it myself and whilst the answer to this puzzle is still a mystery to me, I did spy a link to an article highlighting DC comics have launched a new logo. I have never really been interested in comic books, but I do like Batman since he's teamed up with Michael Caine and so I thought I'd take a look in customary 49th Floor, low-fi style.
DC's existing Star, swooshy, shieldy thing was designed by Brainchild Studio's Josh Beatman in 2005, which wasn't that long ago and frankly hasn't aged that well in my opinion. In brief, I think it's impeccably put together and has obviously taken cues from the company heritage - but I think the conceptual post-modern approach suggests a company coming to terms with the end of the nineties rather than one marching proudly into modernity. I presume that this is why DC felt they wanted to revisit their logo, with a fundamental rethink and shift in creative objective. It could just be they didn't like blue or something, but you'd have to ask them.
I haven't read Creative Review or any logo blogs yet and therefore I don't really know whether I'm sUpPoSeD to like it or not yet, but I can tell you that I really do like the new logo. I don't think anyone could argue that it's not well drawn, but upon first glance the new DC logo is kinda grey and it does look VERY corporate when viewed out of situ. When DC title-specific colourways and characters are applied to the logo in situ, for me it really comes to life. The concept of peeling back the cover to find what's underneath isn't really new - but I think it's perfected here and the way in which it unifies DCs vast array of characters and stories whilst not compromising their own identities is really clever and refreshing.
Identities that integrate with brands and campaigns as a whole rather than concentrating on wowsers logos, gradient-meshed to the rafters sitting in arrogant defiance like it's the most important thing on the page are the way forward for me. I wonder what everyone else is saying about it?
We are producing a series of adverts and post cards to promote 49th Floor around the manor (that's a school-yard saying and I apologise). To celebrate we are very pleased to introduce the first which concerns how we would approach working with varous super heroes as clients. Do with it what you will, wallpaper, writing paper, toilet paper, whatever.
We have decided to progress our identity somewhat, we hope you like it - please see below. The concept comes from the fact we help build brands - but creatively. We will start rolling out across this web site as soon as we can. It's almost as much fun playing with virtual, Illustrator toy bricks as it is with the real thing.
I took 20 minutes off this morning to submit an entry to the competition that has been setting the design world alight recently. The objective is to produce the worst logo you possibly can based upon their brief.
I am sure you will have seen at least a few of these elsewhere, but there's always time for an opportunity to laugh at someone elses mistakes I find. I would like to confirm before we go any further that 49th Floor had NOTHING to do with these and my heart goes out to the people who paid for them. It just goes to show that in any design project you can't afford to miss the wood because you are too busy stuck amongst the trees.
