Port Metro Vancouver Logo
Design:
Client: Port Metro Vancouver
Date:
1 comment June 9th, 2010
Logo
New Whitecaps Logo
Design:
Client: Whitecaps FC
Date: 2010
The much-loved Vancouver Whitecaps unveiled their new logo yesterday, in anticipation of the club’s first season with Major League Soccer (MLS). The new design dispenses with the familiar (and too literal) soccer ball on a wave motif, but tries to maintain some of the brand heritage with a blue and white colour palette.
In North America, garish, comic book style, team logos reign supreme and in this regard, the Whitecaps’ attempt at a “clean and efficient” design is refreshing. On paper it even sounds good – inverted Vs form abstract mountain peaks that are reflected in the ‘water’ below and compose the letters VW – the kind of concept that Rolf Harder, Ernst Roch or Hans Kleefeld might have knocked out of the park in their day. Unfortunately, the execution here is dull and amateurish. The static composition of the Vs, their clumsy relationship to the type, and an arbitrary silver border, all contribute to the visual clutter. While the club and the media describe the new look as minimal (presumably because it’s abstract and geometric), in reality the design is begging for a good edit.
It’s not clear from the official press release exactly who’s responsible for the final design; however, there are hints that ‘design by committee’ and a heavy-handed client might be to blame.
“… the new brand and logo following a 10-month consultation process that included world-renowned soccer brand adidas, Publicis Canada, Whitecaps FC ownership group, staff, fans, and season ticket holders.” – Whitecaps FC Press Release
“Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi, who has seen at least six Whitecaps-86ers logo changes in his years with the club, said there has never been more collaboration on a logo project than this one… …”Our owner [majority owner Greg Kerfoot] does not get involved much publicly, but this, for him, was a labour of love,” Lenarduzzi said. “He was very particular and very hands on — right down to the shade of the blues.” – Vancouver Sun
Understandably, reaction to the rebrand seems fairly underwhelming – it’s hard to imagine fans getting too worked up about such a banal design. With any luck, the club will see this design as a half step in the right direction and rework it sooner rather than later.
3 comments June 9th, 2010
Carleton Student Government Logo
Design:
Client: Carleton Student Government
Date:
Add comment May 23rd, 2010
Yukon Film Logo
Design: Outcrop Yukon
Client: Yukon Film & Sound Commission
Date: 2006
1 comment May 12th, 2010
Toronto Unlimited Logo
Design: Brand Architecture International and TBWA\Toronto
Client: City of Toronto / Tourism Toronto
Date: 2005
Launched on June 23, 2005 amid controversy and criticism, the Toronto Unlimited logo seems to have retreated from its initial push. Put out there to represent Toronto and its limitless possibilities, it seems more like a generic logo to punctuate tourism campaigns in other locations. I personally fail to see how this little drop graphic represents the incredible diversity and possibility that is our fair Hogtown. I still wonder about the undeniably similar Bahamas campaign, which apparently came first. Coincidence? Or does it even matter at this point?
Click here for more information on Toronto Unlimited.
-Hannah Wise
4 comments May 7th, 2010
Game Developers Conference Canada Logo
Design:
Client: Game Developers Conference Canada
Date:
The Canadian Video Games Awards were the kick-off to this week’s Canadian Game Developers Conference. GDC Canada is a spin-off of the GDC, which originates from California with others in Austin, Shanghai, and Cologne. The logo instantly brought to mind the Toronto Unlimited logo, which was wrought with a storm of controversy. Did we ever find out if it was a direct rip-off from the Island of the Bahamas campaign by Duffy & Partners?
-Hannah Wise
Add comment May 7th, 2010
