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BBC 1988 - 1997 logo revival?

(January 2015)

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MW
Mike W

You're right in that it wasn't used on screen much, except for some (c) copyright dates at the end of programmes (but even then I think the rounder losenges seemed to appear too). ISTR it did appear at the end of Pebble Mill produced programmes, along with their special swirly BBC In the Midlands logo (which kind of reminded me of the Hanna Barbera swirl...)

One of these reasons of that was how every region/division of the BBC had a separate logo. When Lambie-Nairn came in, they made sure every BBC division used the same format until about the late oughties when it went back to what it was before 1997 but except the current bbc logo was in there.

Pebble Mill stuck two fingers up to London when the new logo came in, rather than 'BBC Birmingham' they persisted with 'BBC Pebble Mill' for at least 2-3 years before someone noticed! Hardly following LN's design idea of places instead of buildings...
DO
dosxuk
One of these reasons of that was how every region/division of the BBC had a separate logo. When Lambie-Nairn came in, they made sure every BBC division used the same format until about the late oughties when it went back to what it was before 1997 but except the current bbc logo was in there.


I disagree that the current range of logos is anywhere near as bad as the pre-1997 state. Yes, there are many variations away from simply using [B][B][C] {GillSans Text}, but they all fit in to the same design ethos. Pre-1997 the important bit of many logos was the department / programme / event, often with the BBC logo being stuck on as an afterthought. You certainly can't say that of any official BBC logos today.

Pebble Mill stuck two fingers up to London when the new logo came in, rather than 'BBC Birmingham' they persisted with 'BBC Pebble Mill' for at least 2-3 years before someone noticed! Hardly following LN's design idea of places instead of buildings...


How much longer did it take someone in London to stick two fingers back and sign off on the demolition? Wink
JU
Justin
One of these reasons of that was how every region/division of the BBC had a separate logo. When Lambie-Nairn came in, they made sure every BBC division used the same format until about the late oughties when it went back to what it was before 1997 but except the current bbc logo was in there.


I disagree that the current range of logos is anywhere near as bad as the pre-1997 state. Yes, there are many variations away from simply using [B][B][C] {GillSans Text}, but they all fit in to the same design ethos. Pre-1997 the important bit of many logos was the department / programme / event, often with the BBC logo being stuck on as an afterthought. You certainly can't say that of any official BBC logos today.

Main principles of the 1997 design have been lost, though certainly not as bad as pre-1997. For example, here's a logo that was made for the BBC's recent Davos coverage, would've looked just as good in the right weight of Gill Sans.

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/54423000/jpg/_54423044_worlddebatenewsmall.jpg
Last edited by Justin on 29 January 2015 9:10am
MI
Michael
That IS Gill Sans (Light). As used on the Perfect Day CD.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/0f/Perfect_Day_single_cover_-_1997.jpg

Varying weights:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Gill_Sans_weights.png/220px-Gill_Sans_weights.png
MF
MatthewFirth
The Bolder, the better
AD
adamiow
Don't think they will be touching the logos for many years to come - the Daily Mail would have some fun with splashing out on new logos whilst cutting services.
DO
dosxuk
Main principles of the 1997 design have been lost, though certainly not as bad as pre-1997. For example, here's a logo that was made for the BBC's recent Davos coverage, would've looked just as good in the right weight of Gill Sans.

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/54423000/jpg/_54423044_worlddebatenewsmall.jpg


Are you really saying that using a different weight of font is a sign that the main principles of the brand have been abandoned?
AG
AxG
I much prefer the lighter version of Gill Sans, although I'm not a big fan of Gill Sans anyway. But I do think the normal weight fits more with the BBC branding.
JU
Justin
Main principles of the 1997 design have been lost, though certainly not as bad as pre-1997. For example, here's a logo that was made for the BBC's recent Davos coverage, would've looked just as good in the right weight of Gill Sans.

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/54423000/jpg/_54423044_worlddebatenewsmall.jpg


Are you really saying that using a different weight of font is a sign that the main principles of the brand have been abandoned?

I'm drunk again. Stupid post be banished!
Last edited by Justin on 22 June 2015 9:58am
BA
bilky asko
Main principles of the 1997 design have been lost, though certainly not as bad as pre-1997. For example, here's a logo that was made for the BBC's recent Davos coverage, would've looked just as good in the right weight of Gill Sans.

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/54423000/jpg/_54423044_worlddebatenewsmall.jpg


Are you really saying that using a different weight of font is a sign that the main principles of the brand have been abandoned?

Somewhat, yes. They look quite different when viewed to the average person and not us.


That's the first time I've seen anyone say that the TV Forum membership are less observant of differences in presentation than the general public.
DO
dosxuk
Main principles of the 1997 design have been lost, though certainly not as bad as pre-1997. For example, here's a logo that was made for the BBC's recent Davos coverage, would've looked just as good in the right weight of Gill Sans.

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/54423000/jpg/_54423044_worlddebatenewsmall.jpg


Are you really saying that using a different weight of font is a sign that the main principles of the brand have been abandoned?

Somewhat, yes. They look quite different when viewed to the average person and not us.


So you're saying the average person will immediately notice that the BBC brand is being abused when they see this:
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/54423000/jpg/_54423044_worlddebatenewsmall.jpg

But not if they saw this?
http://home.vis-is.co.uk/data/grabs/bbcworldforum_onbrand.jpg
MI
Michael
It's amazing what bull people will come out to justify their assertions when they're painted in a corner. Justin should become a Tory MP.

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