[Herefordshire] Re Logo

[Ben Stephens]

Hi Edward,

Whilst i agree with a lot of what you wrote, including the group
choosing what messages it want to get across, i think that we need to
be careful about trying to get a logo to send too many messages.

Most logos actually provide very little specific information about the
organisation they represent; imagine for a moment you don't know
anything about bt, bbc, aol, walkers, bulmers etc. now try to work out
what they are just from their logos.

Logos tend to convey far more imprecise information (like quality,
trendy, techy, friendly etc.) and are granted specific meaning by the
context in which they are used.

Also, trying to get a large amount of information across in one image
tends to lead to it being meaningless as it is difficult to process in
a short amount of time.

Having said that i'm happy to do some variations.

Hope this hasn't missed the point,

Later,
ben



On Mon, 31 Jan 2005 10:55:33 EST, EdwardFW at aol.com <EdwardFW at aol.com> wrote:
> > This is something that I was a little concerned about whilst I was making
> it, but I 
> > thought that it might work anyway because what you'll get is
> "herefordshire [penguin > logo]" which might be clear to a fair number of
> people that it is a lug.
> 
> I agree, very fair comment, I certainly would get this point visually, and
> so would a great many others. But I have taken an interest in PC's etc. etc.
> including Linux (though I am only just starting to try to use it) for many
> years. 
> 
> Noting your "might be", and "a fair number of people" are these sufficient?
> The logo is a sort of "advertising", it should carry various messages.
> Without being excessive in any way, it should strive to reach everyone,
> every last person it can, very well.
> 
> Not only with its explicit message about what the site is, but also with the
> more subtle messages carried by clarity and excellence (and please note I
> don't wish to offend in any way, in my view the logo would be fine as it is,
> I am making suggestions for the group to consider, as to whether a slight
> tweak or two would marginally improve it).
> 
> Whatver its "messages" are (and this is a matter for the entire group or at
> least anyone who is bothered) these messages should reach those who are less
> interested, less alert etc. Even if they don't choose to look further at the
> site or at Linux they should have, perhaps only subconsciously, noted that
> everything to do with Linux seems to be attractive and positive and
> extremely well executed etc. Not that it is - but shouldn't that be its aim?
> 
> Bear in mind that Linux is at a stage where it is starting to appeal to a
> wider spectrum and, I think, has reached or very nearly reached a stage of
> development, with gui's and automation of configuration tasks, where it is
> suitable for less able and less interested users. Some of these will be
> trying to make their way alone, under stress, in a hurry etc. Picture a nIt
> is spreading from the highly motivated etc. to those who just want to use a
> computer for the usual simple tasks. Think of the retail sites who lose a
> percentage of potential customers with every extra click that has to be made
> on their sites. Linux loses a percentage of converts with every bit of
> hassle. At an extreme, perhaps someone in a far continent who hasn't heard
> of Herefordshire, and hardly speaks English, is browsing around struggling
> to fix a problem at three in the morning. How well will HLUG's site work for
> them?
> 
> Lastly, re the "image of Linux" thing, I think the consideration of the
> visually handicapped aspect should be noted including because this is
> becoming more of a requirement for commercial sites, thus will be more
> noted, so though there may not be a legal etc. requirement it may attract
> more attention and criticism as time passes. So criticism and the need to
> change in future might be avoided
> 
> Sorry not to write this more clearly and politely,  All the best, Edward
> 
> 
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