Exercise 1: Logos

Logos


Oiko

This logo is very simple, but interesting. Firstly, I think it expresses the very natural, organic nature of the design company with its free-flowing strokes, the typography itself becoming the image as well as the label. When you look at it closer, though, it’s the strokes in the writing that are really interesting. It looks free and easy, but looking closer at the strokes, there are a couple of anomalies in the way the letters – the double stroke on the ‘K’ and the reverse way to write the last ‘O’ I thought were really nice. Not the way I write my ‘O’s and ‘K’s at all, so it made me look twice! I know a lot about this company, so when I look at the logo, a lot of things come up for me – first, I think about the idea behind the company: to produce hand-made goods with fair trade. The logo brings that tactile feeling of something hand made, so in this sense, from an emotional point of view, it works well. From an aesthetic point of view, I think it’s beautiful. It’s simple, earthy and is nicely complemented by the slogan as well.

There's a real difference for me when I look at this logo from either an emotional standpoint or aesthetic one - first, because the owner of the company is a good friend, a I know the processes she has gone through the start the company and her philosophy behind it - and I am very happy for her and proud!

Aesthetically, if I were to walk past it on the street, I might not notice it, so I think this is not necessarily in its favour, but it is nicely understated, and I think this can also say a lot.

Lynda.com

Trusty old Lynda – I finally saw her in an online video last week, and the drawing in the logo is a real likeness! I like this logo because it puts a face to what is commonly faceless – an online company. I think using her image brings a personality to the company and is easily remembered. I like it also that it’s a bit of a caricature, making it more light-hearted. Also ironic that she is holding a book – the nerdy looking librarian is the face of one of the world’s most popular multi-media training groups. From an aesthetic point of view, this logo works really well. It’s easily recognisable, easily reproduced across many different mediums (online, or printed on the training discs you get with Adobe Software), and is nice and bright with the yellow background. It’s also nice and compact. The only thing I would say that lets it down a bit is the type underneath the logo. For some reason I just don’t think it adds anything to the overall aesthetic, and could be improved. I think perhaps because the text is not really part of the logo, but seems to sit quite separately from the logo design. It’s OK, but not great.

I think my attachment to this logo is more emotional, because this site has saved me many times! I have always admired the way the training libraries are put together, and think it is such a great business idea!

The O’Brien Coat of Arms


























I can’t say I feel much attachment for this coat of arms. Firstly I should explain it was impossible to find a coat of arms for ‘Wahlin’, so I had to ditch my Swedish side and go for the Irish. O’Brien was my grandmother’s maiden name, so it doesn’t really resonate with me so much. More like a distance cousin of a name!

Then, when I look at the coat of arms, I can’t help but think it’s completely devoid of any relevance to me. First, it’s in quite aggressive colours (red and yellow), with a very male outlook (sorry, but it’s true!). This is reinforced by the three lions (power, pride) and the ‘strongarm’ with a sword, placed above a knight’s helmet. All I think when I see this is the futility of conquering anything, and that it has more to do with ego than need.

The words “Lamb Laider an Uchtar” are written underneath, translating to “the strong hand uppermost’. What does this mean? That is you wield a strong hand over people they will yield to you? Again, I find it all a little blokey, a little aggressive.

Of course, coats of arms were born on the battlefield, as a way for people to recognise one another. Then, they became a symbol of heredity and property. There is some controversy over whether or not this was actually the real O’Brien coat of arms. According to mobriend.com, the first known symbol of the name was the battle flag of Dalcassians.

The Book of Leinster recorded it as being “the colour of red, purple, gold (yellow) and dung (brown)” but did not describe the design. Others said that the flag was blue, with an arm holding a sword and a sun. The lions were described in yet another version.

The arm is actually said to have come from the story of Nuadu, King of the de Danann Gods, who lost his arm in battle. Because an injured king couldn’t rule, he had to abdicate. As the tale goes, a mystic blacksmith made him an arm from silver, and put it on with magic so he could reclaim his throne, which he did. It’s known as the Sword of Nuadu, or the sword of light and truth. When the ‘Ui Briains’ became the kings of Munster and High-Kings of Ireland in the 11th Century, and they adopted the arm as their symbol.

The lions came into the picture much later, after the surrender of the Ui Briain Kingdom to Kind Henry VIII of England. The English discarded the old heraldry and, thinking it a great honour, gave them new names ‘O’Brien’ and new heraldry – the three lions. The O’Briens viewed it as defeat - understandably.

One thing that is interesting on this is the Celtic knot – apparently not many Irish families have included these in their heraldry, and this has a unique one called ‘the O’Brien Knot’.

It has been interesting to look into the history of this heraldry, but has not convinced me that my first impressions were wrong.

Post note: After thinking about this heraldry a bit more, I think perhaps, as a symbol of the Irish to maintain independence, the strong arm is more impressive to me. Kind of like the raised fist of rebellion, and THAT I like!