#1.
Okay, so here are seven shots of the Warner Bros. logo spanning (respectively) the entire film saga of the Harry Potter series. Since I've been under the weather I've been watching movies a lot, but every time I see these HP movies I always, ALWAYS fascinate over these logos. Say someone hasn't ever read or seen Harry Potter; they can still see from each logo that with every progressing installment of the series there is some ominous force or antagonistic presence decaying the logo itself. I wholly applaud this, I think that this maneuver is a nice way to give viewers a heads-up about the nature of each installment. Plus, the logos tell a story themselves; that's not as easy as it looks. I think this a wonderful tactic and it has inspired me to really consider all steps toward designing logos/signage.
And.... #2.
Well, this isn't exactly "good" inspiration this time. I don't think it would be realistic to only look at good design, but I do think it's essential to see what to avoid. Alright, here's the quick rundown: this is called "Country A", "Country B", and "Country C" respectively. This piece, or fragments thereof, is "art" by the notorious Yoko Ono. (Can you viewers see where I'm going with this?) These mounds of dirt are erected in front of a vintage poster that says "War is Over!". According to a few internet sources, Yoko Ono says that she believes this is art and that her message is togetherness. Well, that may be, but the "message" is lost in this void, this attempt at real 3D negative space, between each part of the whole piece. I understand each is supposed to represent a different country and promote the idea of peace; however, I don't think each is powerful enough to encourage that idea. When I first saw this image I immediately thought that someone didn't know where to put their garbage. Also, if one has horrible vision like myself, that poster in the background loses its purpose. So basically, I'm inspired indirectly with this design. How? I can truly appreciate good design now, and this Ono piece has shown me what all to avoid with design: lackluster process, disconnect of the message, disconnect of demographics, and letting fame get to your head. Sometimes inspiration is more effective when you see the terrors of what others may consider art.
--Evan
I love that you included the WB logos from the opening of the Harry Potter movies. I absolutely love love love Harry Potter and I think what WB did with their logo at the beginning of each movie was clever. It definitely shows how the story gets darker with each year at Hogwarts with the last logo sort of signifying how Hogwarts is destroyed in the battle. I probably could go on and on about this since I've been obsessed with Harry Potter since I was 9, but I will stop here.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand what you mean Malia, and I thought that too! Hogwarts' well-being seems to reflect through the logo itself, and that's what I think the initial excitement sets in!
DeleteTop: I love seeing how logos are changed before movies. The only one I like is the 20th Century Fox logo. I think it's really just the music. I don't know why. but in all, I like seeing how almost everything from games to movies changes the logo to have some type of relation to the subject.
ReplyDeleteBottom: I'm not sure what the message is, but I would guess that just the way the artist is displaying the countries? I guess the soil is a big symbolism of war. i can't say I am 100% sure about it, though. I wish I knew more about the piece.
I can definitely respect your reflection on the piece, and what you're saying does make sense of the artist's work. And I think it's great that movies and games incorporate the logos into the "story" of the matter.
Delete