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RE: [Fsuk-manchester] Re: Logo Competition
From: |
Pete Morris |
Subject: |
RE: [Fsuk-manchester] Re: Logo Competition |
Date: |
Fri, 2 Oct 2009 11:34:50 +0100 |
This is a really difficult one, as clearly a lot of time and effort has gone
into the GNU-bee design (I like that phrase!) However, I'm not at all convinced
it really meets any of the objectives; I realise that that is not particularly
constructive criticism, and I am not offering a solution, so please feel free
to ignore my comments, but at least if I explain them then it might stimulate
others to think of more constructive criticism I can't seem to find.
The core problem for me is that it is not recognisable ... as anything! For
those who understand the detailed history of Manchester, they might possibly
get the bee metaphore. For those who are already part of the FSF/Linux/GNU/OSS
community, they will probably "get" the bizarre wildebeest head. For anyone
else, it doesn't suggest "computers", "software", "Manchester", "freedom" or
indeed anything, with the possible exception of "genetic mutation". This
wouldn't be a problem if, like Tux, it wasn't really intended to be
representative and was purely a mascott, but this is supposed to be a logo
which is recognisable and identifiable.
To be honest, a large part of the problem is less so with the GNU-bee logo and
more with the GNU logo itself. It's a ridiculously complex design, which scales
poorly, makes no sense (why would a ox-like creature sit in a yogic position
and float around? And why on earth does that then represent free software?),
looks slightly satanic, and doesn't lend itself to integration with other
derived works. Compare that to the major distributions (Red Hat, SUSE, Ubuntu,
Debian etc.) which all make use of highly simplified stylised vector
object-based logos. Personally speaking, I don't think the FSF logo itself is a
lot better, but at least it roughly makes sense.
So I'm sorry for effectively rubbishing what is obviously someone's hard work,
especially when not providing anything better myself. But I fear if no one
points the problem out it won't be solved.
Pete
(runs and hides)
-----Original Message-----
From: address@hidden [mailto:address@hidden On Behalf Of Lucy
Sent: 02 October 2009 10:55
To: MJ Ray
Cc: address@hidden
Subject: [Fsuk-manchester] Re: Logo Competition
2009/10/2 MJ Ray <address@hidden>:
> Lucy <address@hidden> wrote:
>> > http://groups.fsf.org/wiki/Manchester/Logo_Competition#Entries
>> We now have four entries and the competition ends on Monday.
>>
>> At least one of the entrants has said they are willing to make
>> changes based on our feedback. So let us hear your thoughts!
>
> I like the style and proportions of logo one (vertical bee) because I
> think it'll print better and looks more obviously not a bee's head,
> but the position of logo two (horizontal).
>
> The bee theme seems a good idea to combine with the GNU, but then I
> would say that, wouldn't I?
Yep, the bee theme is something that Dave Page thought of some time ago. The
bee is a logo used by the city of Manchester as a reflection of its 'working
class' roots. It would be nice to incorporate it into a logo I think.
Thanks for the feedback, I'll pass it on. Printing is obviously a concern, but
it also needs to be recognisable and 'friendly' for newcomers (or 'gnubees').
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