http://engforum.pravda.ru/index.php?/topic/178188-london-olympics-2012-or-zion-logo-controversy-explained/
To say the olympic logo is disliked would be an understatement. I have re search forums and websites to view comments of people of all ages and professions. Unfortunately the feedback is all very negative, and the majority of people posting dislike the image.
The official olympic website has described the logo as simple,distinctive and buzzing with energy. With the design they have tried to 'challenge the accepted' and to 'shake things up.' The latter they have certainly achieved but not to what I believe they had hoped for.
What I have found remarkable is how much hype this design has received, some may even say more then when it was announced that London will be hosting the games. I find this very sad but somewhat expected as I do feel that England is a nation of negativity and gloom. I believe this is due to the high coverage in the media industry focusing on negative articles such as celebrities divorcing,breaking up,becoming fat, run down and struggling with depression and illness. The media jumps on these opportunities as they feel it is more interesting news rather then celebrating the good that happens around us everyday. After years of this approach to subjects I think it has certainly had an effect on the nation making them become more negative when articles arise. Again when the logo was released in 2008 the media were right behind these negative comments, which I feel can have the power to greatly influence some people.
While looking on the BBC home page people were outraged as they had felt let down by England and wanted it to represent the country more rather then trying to communicate with the whole world (which is what they intended to do). I do believe that the design should have more references to the country but I don't think it should have been designed with just the English people in mind, I believe art should be able to speak to anyone of any culture especially when this design is being displayed at a global event. There is currently a petition running throughout the country to have the image re changed, I think this is completely pointless due to the £400,000 having been already spent on this, and anymore money used to correct this would just be a waste, there are better causes that it could go towards.
Re designing the logo would also create great difficultly as many have stated they would expect so much more from a new version. Getting a the majority of these to agree on one design would be an impossible has as it is design which is entirely down to an individuals taste. There is a lot of disappointment in the design due to the simplicity of it. There have been posts that have mentioned that it looks as though a child has/could of drawn it. Visually this design is very basic and the fluorescent colours for me are too gourish,however due to the colours and simplicity I think this design will appeal to children as they will be able to relate to it better, then an adult. As when first in education a lot of learning involves colours and shapes which the designs includes. However I think the font used to display 2012 is horrific, it is unclear and looks terrible as it barely resembles these numbers. It looks like a numeracy of its own. Also the word London in the logo is not spelt with a capital as it should be, because it is a place it should abide by the rules of grammar. This is a very poor example to children and is quite embarrassing that this is incorrect.
Iran's leaders made an official complaint stating that the phrase actually spells ZION a jewish term referring to Jerusalem and their religious beliefs. I think this theory is ridiculous as to me it spells ZIOR in anything. I think this theory has come to light because people view things completely differently to one another, with different cultures, views and religious backgrounds people will always read images differently. This is why in the past some artwork has been found extremely offensive in one country and therefore banned. To then being completely understated and barely recognised in another. One post even mentioned that the zero resembles the shape of Australia! Again this would never be intended, its just how she has interpreted it.
Graphic designers feel as if they have be 'let down' by this logo as they believe the skills used in this are poor and is a reflection on them. Another ridiculous comment as one image cannot represent every graphic designer in the country. I do not believe that anyone one is small minded enough to view that image and think that that is all a nation has to offer in the world in design. It is clearly down to the individual.
No comments:
Post a Comment