The new ident for the London 2012 Olympics has just been launched. Designed by the world-famous agency Wolff Olins for a project of this magnitude you wouldn’t be blamed for expecting something of outstanding quality, cutting edge graphic artistry, amazing sound design, visual impact, attention to detail, engaging imagery, inspiring energy or unparalleled quality.
So I guess we were all bound to be disappointed what with all the pressure behind the new brand (remind me why the old one needed replacing?)
There’s a too-long video to launches the brand that makes great viewing.
An ageing raver wearing a Global Hypercolor t-shirt has just dug out his old ZX spectrum from his attic. He leans forward, slips in the cassette and hits play. Just as Manic Miner begins to load he accidentally touches a dodgy connection, electrocuting himself in a blast of high-voltage noise. This is what he sees and hears whilst recovering and walking around London for the next five years.
Or at least that’s what I guess it must be about…
[edit - the BBC site has a fanastic ongoing public rant happening...]
5 Comments
Wouldn’t that be a Fosbury flop of Olympic proportions? Sorry.
Anyway, as you say, “ugh”.
Seth Godin isn’t happy about it too (http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2007/06/actually_its_ju.html) and there are already over 30 groups on facebook laying into it (although, I think one is pro).
Worth noting Birmingham’s design efforts for the aborted 1992 bid. I like the way the council’s ‘tick’ symbol takes centre stage…
http://www.aldaver.com/Images/Osb/92/lg1992b2.gif
Dave
If this is good design then I’m visually illiterate.
The video has been temporarily pulled for re-editing after triggering seizures in eight people.
There’s a Guardian story on it here: http://sport.guardian.co.uk/london2012/story/0,,2096488,00.html
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[...] the blog post I wrote about the new 2012 Olympics identity, I was invited to write a short piece for the Birmingham Post which was published today. [...]