05-19-2015, 01:11 PM
For decades nearing a century, good graphic designers have followed a first law of design: Keep it simple.
This Cal "logo" represents not just a departure, but a total shift: Forget keep it simple; make it busy.
How this might represent good principle of design, much less a better one, I've no idea. But Cal's never looked polished at brand identity. And this look like it could be any Be.ar that you wish: Baylor, Chicago, Cal, even UCLA. What makes this uniquely Cal's? What gives them any ownership of this identity?
On the other hand, it's not intended as a permanent new identity but a fun one-off. And perhaps there's something good to be said for the occasional, temporary swerve. I can't insist that there isn't.
This Cal "logo" represents not just a departure, but a total shift: Forget keep it simple; make it busy.
How this might represent good principle of design, much less a better one, I've no idea. But Cal's never looked polished at brand identity. And this look like it could be any Be.ar that you wish: Baylor, Chicago, Cal, even UCLA. What makes this uniquely Cal's? What gives them any ownership of this identity?
On the other hand, it's not intended as a permanent new identity but a fun one-off. And perhaps there's something good to be said for the occasional, temporary swerve. I can't insist that there isn't.