I am not sure I like the new Doctor Who logo. It breaks tradition of not having an implicit or express aerodynamic quality. It is a static image. And it is a logo that represents something else, the TARDIS. It should be an icon in itself of itself. But most of all there is something in the font. I had the rare privilege of representing the sadly and recently late Gerald Giampa at one point in my career and learned more than I ever thought I would about fonts and ornamental printing press design. So I am tediously sensitive to serif. And the logo uses serif. Though, to be fair, it does so representationally to capture the molding of the actual object.
But my real issue is that it looks like something else. The glinting blue silver metal. I can't recall what it looks like exactly but the lettering reminds me of some other lettering from another logo from somewhere or other. A Coors Light ad from the 80s? Anyway, I didn't like the burning slit eye thingie either when it was brought in with the return of the show half a decade ago and never notice it now. I am sure it will all be fine. Right?
Comments
Renee - October 6, 2009 1:45 pm
The modelling makes it hard to read- if they changed the colours and got rid of the reflectivity / light flares, it would be great. I suspect some graphic designer was trying to be all sci-fi and space-aged. Apparently there's lots of glinting light in space.
Alan - October 6, 2009 3:20 pm
I am still waiting for my silver jumpsuit office worker uniform. If this is in fact the future we should have such things.
Jay Currie - October 7, 2009 3:33 am
I have never been a Dr. Who fan (ok, so hate me...) but I seem to recall a somewhat endearing retro feel to the whole enterprise. More London telephone box than space ship.
Serif has its place; but rarely is that place in logos.
Jay Currie - October 7, 2009 3:36 am
And, Alan, I cannot help but notice that your own logo and tag line seem to be bedecked in little tails.
seanie - October 7, 2009 10:41 am
I have to agree with Renee. Ditch the light flares and I cannot say I like the Icon at all. I mean, its a fricking TARDIS. Use a Tardis.
Now we have to hate Jay, sheesh. And he has been so nice since becoming a Liberal.
I am a fan of serif, sorry to say.. I am sure you are now saying "predictable".
Alan - October 7, 2009 12:00 pm
My logo has no serif.
David Janes - October 7, 2009 2:24 pm
I'm writing my new techno hit write now: "my logo has no serif". Just got to find some Germans to sing the lyric.
Jay Currie - October 7, 2009 4:17 pm
Look at the "G" in Gen...What is that hanging off the downstroke at the top. A chad? An all Canadian icicle? Nope. That is a decorative little serif. And the X is where cute little hats and boots.
Alan - October 7, 2009 6:15 pm
That, Monsieur, is not my logo. That is my heading. My logo which is there for all to see has not one serif.
Jay Currie - October 9, 2009 1:58 am
Assuming you are referring to to the picture at the top of your blog which surrounds what you are desperately calling your "heading" I would have to concede your point other than the foam water wingie thingies which, just for the sheer, perverse, Hell of it, I am going to argue are, in fact, Kid serifs.
Alan - October 9, 2009 7:45 am
I am shattered. I actually have a logo to the lower right of the page (scroll down, down, down) that has been there for six years... and you never noticed. Sniff.